Appointee heads to military academy

East County youth Richard Wheeler, 19, is fulfilling his dream of attending a U.S. military academy.

Wheeler, a 2011 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School, left Tuesday, June 26, for the U.S. Naval Academy, where he will begin six weeks of boot camp.

“I’ve always liked the idea of getting military training while going to school,” Wheeler said. “It seemed like such a high honor to get.”

Wheeler received his appointment to the Naval Academy from Congressman Vern Buchanan, earlier this year.