This year's graduating class of West Point cadets made history as the military academy's most diverse class, both by race and by gender. The group includes the largest number of African American women in the academy's 217 years.
A photo snapped days before West Point Academy's graduation gained national attention, and one of Central Georgia's own was there for the photo-op.
13WMAZ Sports Anchor Marvin James sat down with Ashley Pegues who shares the meaning behind the picture and why she says her support for her fellow cadets stretches beyond race or gender.
Two weeks ago, she marched in the military academy's historic graduation with 900 cadets.
A few days later, her church home saluted her along with her family -- one that couldn't be prouder.
“Everybody had a struggle there regardless of where they originally came from, so it’s a struggle for all of them, so that brought us together even more as a family to support her in this effort,” said her mother, Liz Frink.
Frink says her daughter Ashley is following tradition.
Her father, retired MSGT Ronnie Frink, served as an instructor at the Air Force Academy in the 1980s. Ashley's older sister Alyssa is a 1st LT serving overseas. It was only fitting that Ashley would stand toe-to-toe with some of the nation’s best and brightest.
“It's an unbelievable experience honestly. I never would have thought coming out of high school five years later I’d be here. Mentally can you keep your cool when everything is on fire? I guess you could say is what it’s about,” said Pegues.
The Houston County graduate grew up in Warner Robins, a proud military town, that prepared her to stand as a part of the largest group of African-American women to graduate in the school's 217-year history. Ashley says it wasn't all easy, but she's stronger because of the experience.
“At a certain point, I stopped paying attention to it because I didn't want it to bother me. It's like a reality I know is fact that it may only be me or maybe one other,” she said.
And though she stopped paying attention to the history the graduating class was set to make, a photo snapped days before West Point's graduation ceremony went viral putting the 34 African-American cadets in the spotlight
“Everyone in that picture; I know who they are. I may forget names, I'm not good at names, but I know faces and I remember having at least one interaction with all of them so it’s pretty cool,” she said.
Central Georgia's West Point graduate explains historic moment
Despite being in a competitive environment where black women made up less than 4 percent, Pegues says they supported one another in a major way, but her support doesn't stop there.
“Even with people that weren't part of the 34, I'll support you, too. It's not like I only care about this group of people. This is the closest group to me because we relate the closest, but it doesn't mean I don't care about you because we are not the same,” she said.
Ashley offers this message to her fellow classmates of 2019 and the generations to come.
“Don't give up on yourself. Keep trying for all the things that you want because that doubt in your mind is much weaker than you really think it is.”
Ashley's first duty station will be Fort Gordon in Augusta, where her concentration will be communications.