by Rob Clay
         Burien resident Natalie Budner...or properly, 2nd Lieutenant Natalie Budner graduated recently from the United States Military Academy at West Point just four years after leaving Kennedy Catholic.
         Lieutenant Budner, who grew up near Salmon Creek, specialized in Human Geography, the study of various cultural reasons for why people live where they do. She also had a full curriculum of college courses, physical training and most recently was team leader of the rock climbing unit at West Point. As leader she often climbed up to 200 feet high, setting the roping pins for other cadets.
         She was part of 1200 select students, from more than 14000 applicants hoping to get accepted at West Point each year to begin their military training.
         Women make up nearly 20 percent of the West Point graduates currently.
         Natalie and mom (Janice) plan to drive to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri this week "thirty-three hours," Natalie beamed, in her "new Jeep Wrangler".
         For now she is on leave with plans to travel to Prague and Germany before settling into her new job with a military a police unit.
         With no fear of heights Lieutenant Budner is likely to rise in the ranks.