Tom Waring, the Wire
U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8th dist.) joined Bucks and Montgomery county students, families and military veterans last week to announce his selections for
military service academy nominations during an event at the Bucks County Courthouse.
This year’s class includes 36 nominees with recommendations to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
“We recognize this group of extraordinary young men and women who have chosen to take up the same mantle carried by those patriots who fought for our nation — from the soldiers of the Revolution to those serving abroad today, and all in between,” Fitzpatrick said. “The United States’ armed forces aren’t the best simply because of their size, or reach or weapons. They are the greatest force for good in the world because of the courage and commitment of those here: our community’s best and brightest competing to serve; the parents, friends and family who support this drive; and surrounded by the service members and veterans who wear and have worn the colors of our nation.”
Recommendations are assisted by Fitzpatrick’s nomination committee, which includes active duty and retired military members from across the 8th Congressional District.
A congressional nomination does not guarantee entry to a service academy. Many who do not attend one of the service academies go on to receive ROTC scholarships or appointments to other military academies such as The Citadel or Virginia Military Institute.
Those receiving nominations are:
- Daniel Maxian (New Hope-Solebury High School) — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Patrick Lang (Council Rock North) — U.S. Military Academy
- Connor McDonald (Pennridge) — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy
- Gianna Lescas (Council Rock North) — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Parker Minotti (Neshaminy) — U.S. Military Academy
- Tom Funk (Archbishop Wood) — U.S. Military Academy
- Collin Villari (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Military Academy
- Nash Nickerson (Central Bucks South) — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy
- Luke Haug (George School) — U.S. Military Academy
- Riley Jongeneel (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Military Academy
- Zachary Abraham (Pennsbury) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
- Jake Brophy (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Matthew Doyle (Neshaminy) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Caitlyn Gibbs (Villa Joseph Marie) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
- Alison Kruse (Council Rock North) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Benjamin Morse (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
- Joseph Kroger (Central Bucks South) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Carlos Velez (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Rudolph Levinski (Quakertown) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Samuel Steele (Council Rock North) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
- John Joyce (Central Bucks South/Drexel) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Jeff Forbes (William Tennent) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Richard Hayes (Pennridge) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Noah Smith (Pennsbury) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Cecilia Davies (Central Bucks West) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Alexander Morrow (Central Bucks West) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Alex Greatti (Holy Ghost Prep) — U.S. Naval Academy
- Madeline Talecki (Gwynedd Mercy) — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Nicholas Basile (Quakertown) — U.S. Air Force Academy
- Marshall Winney (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Marcella Raggio (Pennsbury) — U.S. Air Force Academy
- Craig Coleman (La Salle) — U.S. Air Force Academy
- Andrew Widmeier (Central Bucks East) — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Joseph Vitelli (Central Bucks South) — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Michael Goldsworthy (Central Bucks South) — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Michael Bonagura (North Penn) — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
