FORT MILL, S.C. — When Fort Mill High School graduates Chase Barrington-Hughes and Keenan Coston report to the United States Air Force Academy on June 24 to begin Basic Cadet Training, they will be taking the next step in a journey that began more than a decade ago in a kindergarten classroom and marking a significant accomplishment for Fort Mill High School.
For the longtime friends from Tega Cay, who first met in elementary school and spent years playing soccer together, have each earned appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado—one of the nation’s most prestigious and selective military institutions. Their shared accomplishment is particularly notable given the Academy’s highly competitive admissions process. The Air Force Academy is ranked as U.S. News #2 Top Public School, Forbes 6th of the Top 25 STEM Colleges, and is the #1 Funded Undergraduate Research University.
Chase and Keenan’s class of 2030 had an 11% increase in applications over last year and has 1,054 appointee cadets entering. However, only 790 of those appointments were awarded to traditional high school applicants like Keenan and Chase, with 264 positions filled through recruited athletics, preparatory programs, and prior enlisted pathways. Successful candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic and athletic achievement, leadership ability, physical fitness, character, and secure a nomination from a member of Congress. The statistical likelihood of two students coming from one high school is uncommon.
For Chase and Keenan, the appointments represent years of academic and athletic dedication, discipline, and personal growth. They began as childhood classmates and teammates on the soccer field, then their athletic pursuits eventually took different directions. Chase became a standout varsity lacrosse defensive player at Fort Mill High School and club teams and a competitive water skier, while Keenan played varsity and club soccer, then developed into one of the area’s top wrestlers in the 157lb weight class. Throughout those changes, their friendship remained a constant.
At Fort Mill High School, Chase Barrington-Hughes built an extensive record of academic, athletic, and club leadership and service. He earned recognition as a South Carolina Junior Scholar and a Palmetto Fellow, the highest recognition of academic achievement in South Carolina. He had a 4.65 grade point average, 35 ACT score and was an Advanced Placement (5), Honors (11), and Dual Enrollment (6) student completing several course programs at Fort Mill High School including Culinary Arts. He earned the AP Scholar Award, participated in Student Council for 4 years, the St. Jude Leadership Society for 3 years (raising over $12,500 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital), Beta Club for 6 years, the school’s official student spirit team (UDP), and selected for the Homecoming Court while balancing academics, athletics, and employment. He was awarded by the City of Tega Cay as a “Coffee Bean” for service to the city and residents. He also competed for 9 years with the Carolina Show Ski Team which achieved national-level competition during his tenure, and he enjoyed performing in shows weekly at Windjammer Park and on the road at regional competitions and paid performances. On the lacrosse team at Fort Mill, Chase served as captain of the school’s varsity lacrosse team which took 2nd place at the State Championship and won the Upper State Championship. Chase received the Leadership Award, Upper State Defense award, and was named to the South Carolina North/South All Star Team, the First Team All-Region Defense, the All Region All Star Team, and received the South Carolina High School League Scholar Athlete Award for two years for excellence in both academics and athletics. He plans to continue playing lacrosse at the Air Force Academy while studying Aeronautical Engineering in the pursuit of a career as an Air Force officer. He will be one of the youngest cadets having skipped first grade.
Keenan Coston distinguished himself through excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service, earning recognition for his discipline, perseverance, and character both on and off the mat. A standout student, he completed and passed nine Advanced Placement exams, earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, and was recognized as a South Carolina Palmetto Fellow. He was also an active member of Beta Club, the UDP, and DECA, where he qualified for the South Carolina State Competition and helped his team earn a fifth-place finish. His leadership and involvement across campus were further recognized through his selection to the Homecoming Court. Keenan was chosen to attend South Carolina Palmetto Boys State, where he campaigned for governor, and was selected for both the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Summer Leaders Experience and the U.S. Air Force Academy Summer Seminar—highly competitive programs designed to identify and develop future military leaders. In athletics, Keenan served as a varsity wrestling captain, recording more than 80 varsity victories while helping lead Fort Mill High School to three consecutive state championships. He also competed in varsity and club soccer and was honored with the South Carolina High School League Scholar-Athlete Award. Outside the classroom and athletic arena, Keenan demonstrated a strong work ethic through a variety of summer jobs and service opportunities. He worked as a counselor at YMCA Camp Cherokee and Anne Springs Close Greenway camps, served as a youth wrestling camp counselor and assistant coach, refereed youth soccer matches, provided pet-sitting services, and worked in landscaping. His sustained record of achievement, leadership, and service helped position him for success throughout the highly competitive U.S. Air Force Academy application process and prepares him well for the academic and leadership challenges that lie ahead.
While each student earned his appointment independently, the parallel paths they followed make their story especially unique. From sharing classrooms and athletic fields as children to supporting one another through the rigorous nomination and admissions process this past year, their friendship has endured through every stage of their development. That journey will continue in two weeks when both arrive in Colorado Springs to begin Basic Cadet Training, the Academy’s intensive introduction to military life. The program is designed to prepare incoming cadets for the academic, physical, and leadership demands they will face as future officers. The Air Force Academy’s mission is to develop leaders of character for service in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree and receive commissions as officers upon graduation.
During Fort Mill High School’s academic awards ceremony, Major Randy McPeak of the United States Air Force highlighted the significance of the students’ achievement, “Appointments to the Air Force Academy represent the culmination of exceptional character, commitment, and potential and are the equivalent of a 4-year all-inclusive scholarship of $600,000,” McPeak said. “When two candidates from the same school not only meet that standard but do so together, it speaks volumes about their perseverance and the environment that shaped them. Fifty years ago, when I graduated from the Air Force Academy, they told me the sky was the limit for my future opportunities. For Chase and Keenan, because of the advent of the U.S. Space Force, their opportunities will be out of this world!”
For Fort Mill High School, the appointments of Keenan and Chase and represent a source of considerable pride. For their families, coaches, teachers, and community, the achievement reflects years of hard work, support, and commitment to excellence. Chase feels particularly grateful to the Tega Cay community, Fort Mill School District, his teachers, piano teacher, mentors, coaches, St. Jude cohort, lacrosse team, ski team, and his family and friends for their support and guidance. Keenan shares this sentiment and feels that they both have a strong support network to reflect upon during the tough days ahead.
Their story serves as a reminder that determination and a wonderful local community, can lead to extraordinary opportunities—and, in this case, a shared path toward serving their country.
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