FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS (Oct. 29, 2015) -- Watching his daughter lead the All-Armed Forces squad to an American Softball Association, or ASA, national championship reassured Al Ortenzo that she had made the right choice by attending West Point.
Five years ago, April Ortenzo was named America's Catholic High School Female Athlete of the Year by USA Today. As a senior at Cardinal Gibbons High in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she had full scholarship offers to play college softball for Furman, Florida, Florida State, Central Florida and Georgetown, among others.
Ortenzo, however, chose the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. When she visited the academy, April said "there was just something different inside of me."
"I believe she had offers from 14 Division I schools for softball," Al said. "She had gone on two of her three visits. West Point came along a little late in the game and caused her to rethink her plans."
Al said April "just absolutely fell in love with the academy."
She became a platoon leader during her sophomore year and was captain of the softball team, the Black Knights, during her junior and senior seasons.
"I grew up in a disciplined household," April said. "My parents were both police officers. My brother is a police officer. I knew that whatever school or path I chose that I wanted to serve in some way, shape or form, whether police force, firefighter or the military. When I took my visit to West Point and learned more about it, I knew I had a higher calling."
She became the Black Knights' all-time leader with 223 games started and completed during her four-year career. She ranked among the academy's all-time top five in at-bats, hits, doubles, RBIs, runs and stolen bases, which she swiped at a 93 percent success rate while sporting a .966 fielding percentage at shortstop.
April graduated in 2014 and stayed another semester at West Point as a graduate assistant coach. Al sensed that his daughter's softball career was not finished - even as a military officer.
Now stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, now 2nd Lt. Ortenzo recently led the undefeated All-Army women's team (9-0) to the 2015 Armed Forces Softball Championship at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
"She brought a calmness to the team," said All-Army coach Sgt. Maj. Juan Burney of Fort Benning, Georgia. "Her experience playing on the collegiate level helped out a lot because she didn't get over-excited. She wasn't a vocal leader. She kept everything calm and led by example."
Ortenzo advanced the next weekend to the 2015 American Softball Association National Championships at Oklahoma City, where she was named Most Valuable Player and tournament batting champion after leading the All-Armed Forces squad to the national championship.
Al followed April's teams to both tournaments, much like he and wife Linda did throughout their daughter's career at West Point. Al's parents live near the academy, which made the trips to her games even more of a family affair.
"She did mention early on that there was some opportunity in the Army [to continue playing softball] but I don't think she paid much attention to it until after she got out [of the academy]," Al said. "Then she connected with some of the men's All-Army softball players at Fort Jackson and Fort Lewis, and they told her to submit her softball resume."
Al was impressed by the camaraderie and bonding experiences he witnessed among the military softball teams at the Armed Forces Championships.
"The people make the tournament," he said. "These really are the 'one percenters.' Spending time here is like spending time at the academy - good people. It's really neat to see how the players from the different services interact and connect with each other. You can really see that bond - even though they are competitors.
"If you use something like this to get a couple good people into an academy and they end up in the services, it's got to be well worth it."
April spoke humbly about serving in the military.
"I take it day to day and do the best that I can," she said. "My favorite aspect of the Army is just being there for other people and serving amazing people. It's a complete honor to be here. It's taught me a lot about life."
Now a human resources officer, April plans to someday work in civil affairs with special forces or the Judge Advocate General's office as an attorney.
Al's eyes sparkled as he described his pride.
"She's just a gamer, a competitor," he said. "I'm real proud of her, too, for picking the academy over all the other colleges. She had quite a few 100 percent scholarship offers, which is unusual. We're proud of her for making it through the academy. She's a tough kid. She's my sweetheart."
April explained she wouldn't have made it without her entire Family supporting her goals and life decisions, especially her dad.
"He's my hero," April concluded.
SIDEBAR
Army celebrates 'Family' throughout the month of November
April's father, Al, recently put his stamp of approval on his daughter's new extended Families: the U.S. Army, All Army Sports and U.S. Armed Forces Sports.
A resident of Parkland, Florida, Al traveled to the eastern shores of North Carolina and the southern plains of Oklahoma to support April, where her teams won the 2015 Armed Forces Softball championship at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and an American Softball Association national crown at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
The journey extended the Ortenzos' longtime tradition of supporting April on the playing fields. They've watched her play Little League, Senior League and high school summer baseball, followed by softball at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons High and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
"I took every opportunity, as my wife did, see her play," Al said. "We also traveled around with the team when they played tournaments."
The Army encourages and celebrates the Family support displayed by the Ortenzos. Their Family exemplifies how the collective strength of our Army depends on our people - including Family members.
Established by the Armed Services YMCA, Military Family Month is observed in November to recognize and honor Families of service members for their unique contributions and sacrifices while supporting the Army mission.
Military Family Month is observed to reinforce the Army's commitment to strengthen the readiness and resilience of the Army Family. This year's theme is "Military Families: Keeping Our Army Strong!"
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