U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (R–Fort Myers) today announced his nomination of 22 high school seniors to the nation’s service academies. A nominating committee of former military officers, enlisted personnel and community leaders evaluate candidates based on academic and athletic achievement, standardized test scores and community involvement. Congress nominates candidates, but that does not guarantee an appointment.
“Attending a United States Service Academy is truly an admirable way for young people to serve their country,” Mack said. “All of the candidates showed an incredible depth of talent, have reached high levels of academic and athletic achievement and are very active in their schools and communities. I am confident that these students will enjoy successful futures, and I was honored to support their nominations to the U.S. Service Academies.”
Leading the way was Ida S. Baker High, with five students garnering nominations. Lely High had four. Below is the full list:
- Taylor Allen of Naples High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- James Calow of Lely High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
- Martha Ekdahl of Ida S. Baker High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Ryan Gillespie of Barron Collier High (nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
- Jeffrey Hay of North Fort Myers High )nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- Kirsten Hernandez of Naples; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
- Kristen Hernandez of Naples; Lely High School; nominated to U.S. Military Academy
- Emily Hine of Lely High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Arthur Hoffman of Canterbury School (nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
- Matthew Isherwood of Mariner High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- Craig Layton of Barron Collier High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- Brendan McQuilken of Fort Myers High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Natalia Ortiz of Ida S. Baker High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Theresa Quintana of Ida S. Baker High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Courtney Roepke of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Raburn County, GA. (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy). Roepke is from Cape Coral.
- Phillip Sierocinski of Ida S. Baker High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy)
- Justin Sigtermans of Cape Coral High (nominated to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
- Alexander Smith of Barron Collier High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- Connor Timmins of Community School of Naples (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Bryan Tischler of Bishop Verot High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy)
- Derek West of Ida S. Baker High (nominated to U.S. Military Academy)
- Richard Zyvoloski of North Fort Myers High (nominated to U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
* NOTES: Mack did not nominate anyone to the U.S. Air Force Academy because there are no openings for the 14th Congressional District this year. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination).
