“The Family You Build Here”: Softball Sisters At West Point

Olivia and Julia Farris were born in 2002 and 2003 respectively, and grew up with their older brother in Newark, Delaware. Their father was a pipe fitter and their mother was a nuclear medical technician (she introduced Olivia to the medical field). Their grandfather on their mother’s side was a Cuban rebel against Castro and fought in the Bay of Pigs. After the failed landing, he was held prisoner for 18 months in Havana before coming to America. Growing up, the girls played a variety of sports including basketball, volleyball, and softball, and their skills often complemented each other. They also have an artistic side, which has frequently been an outlet throughout their lives. One year older, Olivia entered high school first and, at the urging of Julia, she entered the Delaware Military Academy (DMA) even though she had no desire to serve in the military. That school reinforced the strong values they grew up with and suited them, even though Olivia remembers “they made me do pushups” on a visit. Their experience was “awesome,” and R-Day felt like a breeze after participating in Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC) at DMA. Olivia applied to West Point after being recruited at a softball tournament in California. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Olivia, who needed a medical waiver, was unable to get in to see a doctor because they were engaged in fighting the virus. Olivia attended Drexel for a year and played softball there, burning a year of eligibility but gaining valuable experience and perspective. Olivia enjoyed SLE (Summer Leader Experience) and after sharing her experiences, Julia “was gung-ho about coming to West Point.” Reporting to West Point in the second summer of COVID, Julia signed in two days before Olivia (who had reapplied to the Academy and been accepted), and Olivia remembers “letting go of her sister.” Julia recalls the briefing in Ike Hall and thinking, “It’s go time!” Olivia felt that academics came easy for her and she majored in life science. Julia also did well and chose the systems engineering major because it fit her personality. Both enjoyed the military pillar. Julia served as a Beast First Sergeant and the Commander of Cadet Candidate Basic Training (at the Prep School), while Olivia was a Beast Squad Leader who worked hard to deserve the respect of her New Cadets. Currently Julia is the Brigade S2 and Olivia is the 4th Regiment ACT Officer. They have both enjoyed the courses offered by the Department of Physical Education, especially boxing and combatives. Olivia found survival swimming a challenge, and Julia felt that mil-move (gymnastics) was hard but she loved it (it “changed my mentality”). Both Farris sisters took advantage of other opportunities at the Academy. Olivia went to Argentina on a humanitarian mission with the Department of Social Sciences, where she got to observe a children’s hospital and also spent time at BAMC (Brooke Army Medical Center) shadowing a doctor. Julia participated in a Space MIAD (Military Individual Advanced Development). Both like their companies, which they feel reinforce their personalities (Olivia is in I-4 and Julia is in B-2). Both Olivia and Julia played softball, Olivia as a pitcher and Julia at third base. They share a wonderfully mutually supportive relationship, which is illustrated by the way they both describe their most memorable game against Lehigh in the Patriot League Tournament during their Yearling Year. As a Cow, Olivia was team captain during her last year of eligibility. Even though they are both Corps Squad Softball players, they make time for extracurricular activities too, writing for the Class newsletter, mentoring Cadet Candidates (prepsters), and working with the Pre-Med group. They both love the culture at the Academy. Olivia feels like she is constantly “in awe” of her very accomplished friends, and Julia describes the Cadet-run atmosphere as “by the people and for the people.” Olivia will be attending medical school immediately following graduation, and Julia will be learning how to fly helicopters. She picked Aviation after being influenced by LTC Ashlie Christian, and getting reinforcement from a variety of other sources (including Olivia). Reflecting on what West Point means to them, Julia describes it as “development, development, development,” noting it has brought out the best in her, and Olivia remarks, “West Point is home for me.”