This year's graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was lead by the highest ranking cadet, Lindsey Danilack—one of only four female cadets to ever hold the highest position in the school’s chain of command. Until 1976, women had not been admitted to the academy in its more than 100-year history. Today, 22 percent of the incoming class are female, a record number.

In the weeks leading up to this year’s graduation, photographer Damon Winter of The New York Times followed Danilack and several other female cadets in different classes, including the Efaws, three sisters in three separate classes. The project explores the unique dynamics that female cadets experience through the physical, academic, and social rigors at West Point. I had the unique opportunity to work with Damon Winter as a radio reporter on one of the first trips to cover Sandhurst, an international, two-day competition of military skills and physical fitness.

The result is a unique perspective of life at West Point through a beautiful photo essay by Winter, and a series of three audio shorts produced by Rumsey Taylor, Josh Williams and Margaret Cheatham Williams.