Local Woman Highest Ranking Cadet at VMI 10:43 pm A military college in Virginia selected the first woman to fill the role of its highest ranking cadet. That woman is from right here in Johnstown. Her name is Kasey Meredith a 2018 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School now a junior at Virginia Military Institute. Her parents, William and Shannon Meredith, said they were elated when they heard the news: Kasey was named Regimental Commanding Officer for the 2021-2022 school year. “(Shannon) goes, ‘Bill, they announced rank!’ I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ (She said), ‘Kasey made RCO!’ I stood up, and I didn’t sit down again that night until I went to bed. I think it was 3:00 in the morning,” William said laughing.