Rep. Zeldin Hosts Reception for NY-1 Service Academy Nominees

Patchogue, NY – On Friday, January 22, 2016, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) hosted a reception to recognize and congratulate the 34 Long Islanders he has nominated to United States Service Academies this year.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 
 
The application process began in May of 2015. Since then, Congressman Zeldin worked closely with his staff and Service Academy Review Committee, a group of 15 volunteers, to narrow down the candidates based on a number of specific criteria, including academic records, leadership experience, and community service. The Congressman also hosted a Service Academy Information Day at Brookhaven Town Hall in July of 2015 for prospective students and their families to speak with representatives from Service Academies across the United States.

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “Congratulations to all 34 Service Academy nominees for New York’s First Congressional District. Our Service Academies, which offer students the highest quality of education, play a vital role in training our future leaders. As a member of Congress, I have the privilege to nominate the best and brightest candidates from our Congressional District for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies. I am proud to say that after 8 months, I have nominated 34 fine young men and women. These nominations are not given, but rather they are earned as a result of hard work and dedication; and commitment to serve our country. It is my hope that each and every nominee will take full advantage of all that the service academy has to offer and that they will grow to become great future leaders.”

Congressman Zeldin’s nominees are listed below.

U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY: James Murphy of Port Jefferson; Austin Haynia of Port Jefferson Station; Brenden Simpson of Setauket; John Day of Setauket; Chelsea Chamberlain of South Setauket; Isabella Cortes of Shoreham; Garrett Bracht of Nesconset; Ryan Silver of Blue Point; Emma Fasolino of Cutchogue; and Charles Campisi of Smithtown.

U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD: Taya Coniglio of Riverhead; Andrew Emerson of Stony Brook; Greg Sheryll of Cutchogue; Thomas Audley of East Setauket; Skylar Grathwohl of Mattituck; Gabriella Franco of East Setauket; Harrison Boyd of Selden; Christian Gaines of Kings Park; and Kelsey Nogueras of East Patchogue.

U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO: Peter Tsakonas of Port Jefferson Station; Peter Shannon of Lake Ronkonkoma; Kevin Reichardt of Kings Park; Brenden Richardson of East Patchogue; and Nicholas Pagnotta of Miller Place.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY: Ally McFadyen of Saint James; Michael LoRusso of Hauppauge; Edward Wills of Calverton; William Stuckart of Mattituck; Daniel Corvi of Smithtown; Craig Hawley of Brookhaven; Elliot Fischer of Sound Beach; John Heim of Smithtown; Patrick Biemer of Shoreham; and Dana Fasano of Ridge.