Carper Announces 2002 Service Academy Nominations, Delaware’s Finest Rise Among the Ranks

WASHINGTON, DC – Bringing Delaware’s finest one step closer to joining the ranks of America’s military officers, Senator Tom Carper announced today the names of his service academy nominees for 2002. Each year, members of the United States Congress are charged with nominating top candidates from their home state, ensuring the best and the brightest are considered for admission to the nation’s leading military academies. “This is where we accept responsibility for shaping the vision of America’s future. Among these outstanding candidates will emerge the future of our country,” Carper said. “These academies will develop the leaders for tomorrow and these young people will help our nation realize its vision. Their integrity, dignity and perspective are inspiring. I am proud to say they are amongst Delaware’s finest.” Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United State’s Air Force Academy in Colorado are: Katherine Bushey of Wilmington, St. Mark’s High School; Daniel Fitzgerald of Seaford, Sussex Tech High School; Gary Matthew Goff of Bear, Glasgow High School, Colin Parks of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School; Jason Rothhaupt of Camden, Caesar Rodney High School; Valerie Knight of Dover, Polytech High School; Richard Harr of Dover, Dover High School; Gordon Thomas of Bear, Salesianum High School; Collin Hague of Newark, DelCastle Tech High School, Samuel Jefferson of Milton, Sussex Tech High School. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point are: Clifton Porter of Millsboro, Sussex Tech High School, Gregory Collins of Wilmington, Salesianum High School; Collin Hague of Newark, DelCastle Tech High School; Jill Hajec of Camden, Caesar Rodney Sr. High School; Samuel Jefferson of Milton, Sussex Tech High School; Matthew Swank of Bear, Caravel Academy; Gordon Thomas of Bear, Salesianum High School; Kenneth Matthew Turoczy of Wilmington, Archmere Academy. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis are: Frank Hudson of Dagsboro, Indian River High School; Gregory Collins of Wilmington, Salesianum High School; Daniel Fitzgerald of Seaford, Sussex Tech High School; Andrew Gibbons of New Castle, St. Elizabeth High School; Collin Hague of Newark, DelCastle Tech High School; Samuel Jefferson of Milton, Sussex Tech High School; Eric Siefert of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School; Matthew Swank of Bear, Caravel Academy; Gordon Thomas of Bear, Salesianum High School; Kenneth Matthew Turoczy of Wilmington, Archmere Academy. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Merchant Marine Academy are Gregory Collins of Wilmington, Salesianum High School; Matthew Swank of Bear, Caravel Academy; Gordon Thomas of Bear, Salesianum High School; Kenneth Matthew Turoczy of Wilmington, Archmere Academy. “The students who sought my nomination to the academies are top notch. Each should be commended for the leadership they’ve shown in their schools and communities. When I head down to Washington, I look to take the best with me- the best people, the best innovations, the best ideas. I am proud to send the names of these young people to the nation’s most competitive military academies. They represent Delaware’s best,” said Carper, a retired Navy captain who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Carper debated the merits of the possible candidates with his Service Academy Selection Committee. The group hails from the state’s three diverse counties and includes the perspectives of educators, officers, clergy and a health care professional. In addition to an interview and essay, service academy nominees were selected on the basis of their academic achievement, character, leadership, motivation and physical fitness. Carper selected his nominees using the “competitive method”, and each enters the next step of the admissions process with equal footing. Upon receipt of his recommendation for appointment, the nominees vie against each other within their academy of choice for selection. The academies are expected to finalize their list of candidates in mid to late spring. Those chosen for enrollment will become officers upon graduation.