Today I hosted a breakfast for the 10th Congressional District’s nine appointees to our nation’s military academies.  Each year, members of Congress, U.S. Senators and the vice president can nominate qualified candidates to the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Air Force Academy.  The 10th Congressional District Select Screening Committee, comprised of veterans of each branch of the military, picks the area’s nominees in a nonpartisan manner, based on scholastic achievement, leadership and character.  Captain James Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a graduate of the Naval Academy, serves as the chair.

This year, nine students were admitted into three academies.  These outstanding individuals include: 

United States Naval Academy
Jacob Roche - Wilmette

United States Military Academy
Matthew Raygoza – Arlington Heights
Josephine Kim – Glenview
Thomas Allman – Highland Park
Abraham Bailin – Deerfield

United States Air Force Academy
Karl Mohrmann – Lake Bluff
Michelle Abruzzo – Inverness
Kyle Tomaszewski – Hoffman Estates
Jonathan Kim – Northbrook

The communities of the 10th Congressional District are fortunate to have these future leaders.  Our armed forces will be stronger because of their service.  I wish them the best of luck as they begin careers in the U.S. armed services.

If you are interested in applying to an academy, or know of someone who is, I urge you to contact my office at 847-940-0202.  We are currently accepting applications for the academic year beginning in 2008.

From left to right: Karl Mohrmann – Lake Bluff; Thomas Allman – Highland Park; Jacob Roche - Wilmette; Abraham Bailin – Deerfield; Josephine Kim – Glenview; Matthew Raygoza – Arlington Heights; Kyle Tomaszewski – Hoffman Estates; Jonathan Kim – Northbrook; Not pictured: Michelle Abruzzo – Inverness