On March 13, Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06) presented 29 candidates with nominations to the four United States Service Academies: the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nine students were also presented with certificates of appointment.
The service academy candidates and their families, the nominating board, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructors, school officials and other community members joined the Congressman at the ceremony, hosted at Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine.
“The United States Service Academies are prestigious places of learning with a demanding application process, and it was an honor to present these remarkable young men and women with nomination certificates,” DeSantis said. “As an officer in the U.S. Navy reserve, I am so proud of our students and immensely respect their desire to serve our country. I wish them all the best of luck!”
Local nominees included Michael Moon Begun (Nease High School – IB, Military Academy), Dylan John Granuzzo (Nease High School, Military Academy), Miles Polivio Silva (USMAPS, Ponte Vedra High School graduate, Military Academy), Justin Paul Swicegood (ERAU, Nease Nigh School – IB graduate, Naval Academy), Daniel James Donovan (Nease High School, Air Force Academy), Jonathan Michael Magiske (Ponte Vedra High School, Air Force Academy), Landon David Taucher (Ponte Vedra High School, Air Force Academy) and Francis Zachary Wawrzyniak (MMI, Ponte Vedra High School graduate, Merchant Marine Academy).
— Compiled by Kelly H. McDermott
