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Gottheimer Hosts Fifth District Service Academy Ceremony, Congratulates Accepted Students

27 Fifth District High School Students Gottheimer Nominated Now Accepted to U.S. Service Academies

NORTH JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) congratulated the Fifth District high school students he nominated and who were accepted to one of the four U.S. service academies this year, including the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, at a ceremony at the Bergenfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6467.

Gottheimer recently announced that 27 Fifth District high school students he nominated to one of the four U.S. service academies were accepted. Gottheimer selected the students through the counsel of his Service Academy Selection Committee, comprised of local leaders and veterans who have served in different branches of the armed forces. They help Gottheimer select the most well-rounded group of students to be nominated.

Gottheimer was joined at the Bergenfield VFW Post 6467 by Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan, Bergenfield Councilmembers Buddy Deanna and Rafael Marte, Fifth District Service Academy Selection Committee members Kirsten Dickson, Steve Kalish, and Dan Cahill, VFW Post 6467 Commander Tom Lang, John Smith, Chairman of the Bergenfield Veterans Advisory Committee, and Fifth District students and their families.

“I am always amazed each year — these students blow me away with everything they do — from athletics to academics to community service,” Gottheimer said. “We are here today, though, because of the nominees themselves who, at such a young age, already show a tremendous commitment to serving our country. Their nomination to one of our four prestigious military academies, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, is a recognition of their excellence in the classroom, in our community, and their sense of duty to our country.”

The full list of students nominated by Gottheimer and accepted to attend one of the renowned Service Academies is below.

U.S. Military Academy Accepted Nominations:

  • Palmer Yates, Ridgewood
  • Xinyi Feng, Alpine
  • Joaquin Kull, Ramsey
  • Claire Throne, Park Ridge
  • Sean Kim, River Edge
  • Logan Yhu, Old Tappan
  • Ethan Lee, Norwood
  • Sam Steinhart, Fair Lawn
  • Mia Bonsignore, Upper Saddle River
  • Matthew Rusch, Ridgewood
  • Phillip Williams, Ridgewood
  • Max Fominykh, Montvale
  • Farrell Kehm, Glen Rock
  • Owen Roy, Allendale
  • Sean Vlasich, Ho Ho Kus
  • Jack Simpson, Ridgewood

U.S. Naval Academy Accepted Nominations:

  • Lily Williams, Ridgewood
  • Aaron Song, Old Tappan
  • Kang Kim, Norwood
  • Aidan Kehoe, Montvale
  • Derek Weaver, Hackettstown
  • Etka Aylian, Hackettstown

U.S. Air Force Academy Accepted Nominations:

  • Ian Coleman, Hackettstown
  • Connor Munson, Washington
  • Cristian Vintimilla, Vernon

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Accepted Nominations:

  • Jay Martin, Newton
  • Casey Symons, Harrington Park

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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