NEW JERSEY – U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, recognized students from New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District who have been accepted to the nation’s military service academies during a ceremony held June 13 at Cresskill American Legion Post 21.
The students, all nominated by Gottheimer, were accepted to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Gottheimer selected the students with guidance from his Service Academy Selection Committee, which is composed of local leaders, service academy alumni and military veterans. Applicants were evaluated based on academics, leadership, character and commitment to service.
“At such a young age, these future leaders have already shown a tremendous commitment to serving our country. Their acceptance to one of our five prestigious military academies is a recognition of their excellence in the classroom, in our community, and their sense of duty to our country,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Each year, I’m blown away by everything they do — from athletics to academics to community service. Our NJ-5 district leads the nation in West Point appointments for the Class of 2030 — for the second year in a row! That is a testament to your families, our communities, our Jersey Values, and to the incredible students themselves.”
Joining Gottheimer at the ceremony were Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfield, Midland Park Councilman Keith DeBlasio, Oradell Councilwoman Maggie Harrer and the students’ families.
The students accepted to the U.S. Military Academy are:
- Kathleen Brancato, Oradell
- Zion Cheon, Norwood
- Grant Choi, Englewood Cliffs
- Sophia Dalton, River Vale
- Ryle Gibello, Englewood
- Anthony Greco, Westwood
- Grant Kang, Fort Lee
- Abigail Kim, River Edge
- Grace Kim, Ridgewood
- Hannah Kim, Haworth
- Hyeonggeon Kim, Old Tappan
- Justin Kim, Palisades Park
- Howard Lee, Norwood
- Skye Lee, Haworth
- Sofia Lee, Paramus
- Sol Lee, Cresskill
- Jacob Nestory, Montvale
- Jeffrey Park, River Edge
- Charles Shaddow, Ridgewood
- Rena Shim, Leonia
- Owen Stecker, Ho-Ho-Kus
- Noel Yoo, Ridgefield Park
Students accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy are:
- Yoonso Eric Hwang, Demarest
- Nicholas Konopka, Hackensack
- Anselm Park, Hillsdale
- Izabela Samu, Glen Rock
- Yegyeom Seo, Fort Lee
Students accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy are:
- Caleb Park, Demarest
- Makenna Wolmer, Tenafly
Students accepted to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are:
- Owen Alway, Ringwood
- Andrew Coyne, Harrington Park
- Johnathan Frey, Medford
- John Lanari, Washington Township
- Emma Price, Jobstown
- Madison Ver Hage, Paramus
- Ethan Wagner, Chatham
Gottheimer’s office noted that New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District led the nation in appointments to the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2030 for the second consecutive year.
