Lafayette - Joseph Keith Walton, son of Glenda and Keith Walton of Lafayette, was promoted to Second Class Cadet at a ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May. Walton is a 2004 graduate of High Point Regional High School and is majoring in government. His academic and military achievements have earned recognition on the dean’s list, commandant’s list and superintendent’s list for the 2005-2006 semesters. He participates in the combat arms team, Sandhurst military competition team, running club and Catholic club at the academy. This summer Walton is assigned to a series of programs, including leadership courses, training incoming cadets at “swab summer,” damage control and fire fighting, ship control and navigation training, and sailing instruction. He is also assigned to attend the cadet aviation training program at the Coast Guard air station in Elizabeth City, N.C. Second class cadets serve as assistant division officers, providing leadership to and supervising third and fourth class cadets. They have overall responsibility for the fourth class training program. Walton will assume the responsibilities of regimental review department MAA this fall. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is located on the west bank of the Thames River in New London, Conn. The coast guard is the oldest life-saving service in the world. Each year, the academy graduates approximately 175 newly commissioned ensigns to lead the smallest of the U.S. military services.