Mack nominates 22 southwest Florida students to U.S. Service Academies
Congressman Connie Mack, FL-14, announced today that 22 students in Florida’s 14th Congressional District will receive Congressional nominations to United States Service Academies for the Class of 2014.
One of the responsibilities of Members of Congress is to nominate outstanding young men and women to the four U.S. Service Academies, which include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York (the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination).
The process of securing a nomination is highly competitive. Students must also apply to the academy and meet their competitive standards in addition to applying for a nomination from a Member of Congress. A Congressional nomination does not guarantee an appointment.
“Attending a United States Service Academy is truly an admirable way for young people to serve their country,” said Mack. “All of the candidates showed an incredible depth of talent, have reached high levels of academic and athletic achievement, and are very active in their schools and communities. I am confident that these students will enjoy successful futures, and I was honored to support their nominations to the U.S. Service Academies.”
A nominating committee comprised of former military officers and enlisted personnel, as well as community leaders from throughout Southwest Florida, selected the candidates based on personal interviews, academic and athletic achievement, standardized test scores, and community and extra-curricular involvement. Mack then nominated the best applicants to each academy.
Below is a list of the 22 students who received nominations, their hometowns, and the high school they currently attend (please note some students received nominations to more than one academy). Mack did not nominate any students to the U.S. Air Force Academy this year because there were no openings available for the 14th Congressional District.
– Taylor Allen of Naples; Naples High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– James Calow of Goodland; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
– Martha Ekdahl of Cape Coral; Ida Baker High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Ryan Gillespie of Naples; Barron Collier High School; nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
– Jeffrey Hay of North Fort Myers; North Fort Myers High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Kirsten Hernandez of Naples; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Kristen Hernandez of Naples; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Emily Hine of Naples; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Arthur Hoffman of Cape Coral; Canterbury High School; nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
– Matthew Isherwood of Cape Coral; Mariner High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Craig Layton of Naples; Barron Collier High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Brendan McQuilken of Fort Myers; Fort Myers High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Natalia Ortiz of Cape Coral; Ida Baker High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Theresa Quintana of Cape Coral; Ida Baker High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Courtney Roepke of Cape Coral; Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Raburn County, Georgia; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
– Phillip Sierocinski of Cape Coral; Ida Baker High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy
– Justin Sigtermans of Cape Coral; Cape Coral High School; nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
– Alexander Smith of Naples; Barron Collier High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Connor Timmins of Naples; Community School of Naples; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Bryan Tischler of Fort Myers; Bishop Verot High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy
– Derek West of Cape Coral; Ida Baker High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
– Richard Zyvoloski of North Fort Myers; North Fort Myers High School; nominated to U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Source: Office of Congressman Connie Mack