PIKE Co., Ky. (WYMT) - A Pike County native is making a name for himself in service to our country.

Will Burchett graduated from Pike County Central High School in 2024 and has always called the Big Sandy Valley home. Now, he is in his second year as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy.

“Kentucky set me up for the Naval Academy in a way that I think that a lot of my classmates didn’t have,” Burchett said “I think that we’re not representing the Navy as widely as some other states are and I wanted to be able to come back and give some other Kentucky natives the opportunity to follow the path that I’ve gotten to.”

Burchett made his way back to Appalachia to talk to high school students on Friday, sharing words of wisdom and advice to apply for the U.S. Naval Academy.

“Don’t c

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