Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) recently announced the nominations of 43 students to be considered for appointments to the United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy.
At a recent ceremony at the University of North Florida, Congressman Rutherford offered a congratulatory message of encouragement and presented each student with a certificate signifying their achievement. Each student completed a rigorous application process and underwent an interview with a panel of former military officers, who are service academy graduates themselves, before being selected for a nomination.
“One of the greatest privileges I have as representative is working with inspiring young men and women seeking appointments to one of our national service academies,” Congressman Rutherford said. “These outstanding students are tasked with ensuring America remains the strongest beacon of hope and freedom in the world, and I am confident that those we have nominated possess the leadership, integrity and commitment to represent our country honorably at these prestigious academies. I look forward to supporting these exceptional young leaders as they progress through their careers.”
Each year, thousands of students from across the country apply to attend the nation’s service academies. Students must undergo a two-step process to receive an appointment to any of the academies. They must apply for a nomination from the president, a congressman or a senator and simultaneously complete the application criteria for admission to the academy. Students who receive both a nomination and are accepted to an academy receive an appointment to the institution.
The students receiving nominations are as follows:
United States Air Force Academy
Troy David Barber, Allen D. Nease High School
Ashley Nicole Booth, St. Augustine High School
McAnarney Slater Borngesser, Florida State University
Tatiana Christina Brown, Bartram Trail High School
Joshua Tyler Carson, Creekside High School
Christopher Robert Cavaliere, Ponte Vedra High School
Justin Wayne Dean, West Nassau High School
Nickola Pierre Khoury, St. Augustine High School
Konnor Day Matthews, Allen D. Nease High School
Connor Joseph McQuade, The Episcopal School
Sinead Georgeanna Morgan, Allen D. Nease High School
Connor William Murphy, The Episcopal School
Brenden Travis Potter, Creekside High School
Andrew Joseph Relihan, Ponte Vedra High School
Daniel Christopher Simonds, First Coast High School
Chloe Arden Surrency, Duncan Fletcher High School
Christopher Peter Sylvester, Bartram Trail High School
Nailah Trinh Nguyen, Sigonella Middle High School
Ashley Faye Weidenbach, USAF Academy Prep School
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Ryan Christopher Bell, Bishop Kenny High School
James Patrick Dotsikas, Jr., Ponte Vedra High School
Jacob Wynn Follenweider, Bartram Trail High School
Rob Daniel Gray, Fernandina Beach High School
Michael Tyler Morton, Creekside High School
Mason Joshua Ray, Bartram High School
Erin Elizabeth Sass, Allen D. Nease High School
Christopher Peter Sylvester, Bartram High School
Matayo Thomas Trumble, Ponte Vedra High School
Savannah Nichola Wolff, The Episcopal School
United States Military Academy
John David Barksdale, The Episcopal School
McAnarney Slater Borngesser, Florida State University
Tatiana Christina Brown, Bartram Trail High School
Wiley Braxton Gillam, The Bolles School
Aunikah Sade King, USMA Prep School
Sinead Georgeanna Morgan, Allen D. Nease High School
Brandon Chee Ming Mum, Allen D. Nease High School
Nathan Christian Pascual, Fernandina Beach High School
Reilly Madison Tarbet, Ponte Vedra High School
Osteen Dragon Theam, The Bolles School
Faith Virginia Twiggs, Fernandina Beach High School
United States Naval Academy
Ryan Christopher Bell, Bishop Kenny High School
Thomas Albert Chown, Stanton College Prep School
Riley August Dimberg, Ponte Vedra High School
Jesse Harold Gatewood, Embry-Riddle University
Corine Francesca Millis, Naples American High School
Andrew Joseph Relihan, Ponte Vedra High School
Chase Patrick Rivera, The Bolles School
Erin Elizabeth Sass, Allen D. Nease High School
Daniel Christopher Simonds, First Coast High School
Riley Mae Smith, Bishop Ireton High School
Reilly Madison Tarbet, Ponte Vedra High School
Eleanor Evelyn Vandegrift, The Providence School
