(February 21, 2007) Downey - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard congratulates 19-year-old Downey resident John Haddad on his admission into the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, Rhode Island. The 10- month course of instruction lasts from August through May. Upon John's successful completion of the program, he will be eligible to apply for entrance into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. John is the son of Hussam and his mother, Abeer, Haddad (shown on left). He is a graduate of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower.

Every year, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard nominates qualified students from her district for admission to the service academies, which also include the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, New York. Successful applicants receive a free four-year college education in exchange for a commitment to serve at least five years as a commissioned officer.

To inform prospective students about the application process, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard hosts an annual service academy workshop every year in the Fall. The workshop features service academy representatives who meet with students to answer questions about the admission process. For the class entering in the summer of 2008, nomination applications are due November 1. The nomination application and additional information can be obtained by visiting the congresswoman’s web site at www.house.gov/roybal-allard and by clicking the “Student Section” or by calling Juan Carlos-Aviles in the congresswoman’s district office at (213) 628-9230.