Delaware’s Delegation Honored Students Accepted to U.S. Service Academies

WASHINGTON – Delaware’s Congressional Delegation past and present honored Delaware students accepted into U.S. Service Academies in 2011 through the congressional nomination office tonight in Washington D.C. Each year, students interested in attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy or U.S. Military Academy apply for a nomination through members of the United States Congress. Members nominate top candidates from their home state, ensuring that the best and the brightest are considered for admission to the nation’s leading service academies.  

Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.), former Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) and a representative for former Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) were on hand to congratulate the students.  

“I am proud to nominate Delaware’s finest to our prestigious U.S. Service Academies,” said Sen. Carper. “These young men and women are about to embark on a journey that will give them an excellent education and help them develop valuable leadership skills that will guide them as they help provide the vision and leadership this nation needs to continue to lead the world.”  

“It is a great honor to offer my congratulations to these talented young men and women on their appointments to the Service Academies,” said Sen. Coons. “Each has completed an exhaustive selection process, and we are grateful for their commitment to serving our country. The education they receive at the academies will be the foundation for the important contributions they will make to society. I join my colleagues in Congress in saying, congratulations and best wishes.”  

“It’s an honor to meet so many exemplary young men and women who have chosen to serve our country through military service,” said Rep. John Carney. “Delawareans have always held the work and sacrifices of our military members in the highest regard, and I am confident that these outstanding young people will earn the honor and respect that they deserve through their performance at the academies and in the military. I wish them all the best of luck and know that they will make us very proud.”  

“In my two years serving as U.S. Senator from Delaware I was honored to have participated in numerous fulfilling efforts, but one of my greatest joys was to play a key role in the nomination of future military leaders from Delaware to our service academies at West Point (Army), Annapolis (Navy), Colorado Springs (Air Force), and King’s Point (Merchant Marine Academy),” said former Sen. Ted Kaufman. “Delaware has offered outstanding future leaders to all of these academies as exhibited by this current class. Delaware, their parents and I feel a great sense of pride. I know they will serve us with honor and distinction and in the spirit of all of those who have gone before them.”  

Delawareans attending the U.S. Naval Academy:  

Hunter Abrams, Tatnall School
David Allshouse, St. Mark’s High School
Sarah Behm, The American School in Japan, The U.S. Naval Academy Foundation
Eric Boudart, Delaware Military Academy
Sean Kealey, Salesianum School, U.S. Naval Academy
Joshua Meister, St. Thomas More Academy
Kyle Taylor, Mt. Pleasant High  

Delawareans attending the U.S. Air Force Academy:  

George Antoniou, Polytech High School
Timothy Voss, Cape Henlopen High School, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School

Delawareans attending the U.S. Military Academy:  

John Beck, St. Elizabeth’s High School
Foster Day, Archmere Academy
Natalia Drew, William Penn High School
Andrew Michalowski, Wilmington Charter
Caleb Primos, Milford High School
Rita Wiley, Middletown High School
Shalanda Williams, Tatnall School  

Delawarean attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:  

Kyle Petrick, Wilmington Charter  

Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons (not pictured), Rep. John Carney and former Rep. Mike Castle met with Delaware students accepted into U.S. Service Academies in 2011 through the congressional nomination office.  

###