Sherrill announces appointments to U.S. service academies

MORRIS COUNTY – Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced that 23 students from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District had been appointed to the U.S. Service Academies and were attending the Service Academy Preparatory Schools. These students will begin their educational and service careers this year at the US Naval Academy, the US Military Academy, the US Air Force Academy, the US Merchant Marine Academy and their associated preparatory schools. Rep. Sherrill hosted an event yesterday in Bloomfield to recognize the students.

“I offer my sincerest congratulations to all NJ-11 students who will attend our nation’s military academies and preparatory schools. From my experience at the Naval Academy, I remember that the study was intense – both academically and physically – but taught me the true value of teamwork, leadership and service. I thank all of our students for choosing to put our country before themselves and wish them the best as they begin their military careers as the future leaders of our men and women in uniform,” said Rep. Sherrill.

The 18 NJ-11 students attending the U.S. Service Academies:

• Cora Webber, Morris Plains – United States Military Academy
• Karthikean Juttumahadevan, Morris Plains – United States Military Academy
• Amelia Benjamin, Maplewood – U.S. Naval Academy
• Emma Bradley, Florham Park – US Naval Academy
• Charlene Giessen, Montclair – United States Naval Academy
• Ryan Trafford, West Caldwell – United States Naval Academy
• Avinash Uppuluri, Short Hills – United States Naval Academy
• Andrew Daly, Wayne – United States Naval Academy
• Oliver Acuna-Casey, Morristown – U.S. Military Academy
• Cassidy Ball, Jefferson – United States Military Academy
• John Bigham, Chatham – US Military Academy
• Gabriel Epstein, Montclair – US Military Academy
• Matias Feoli, Short Hills – U.S. Military Academy
• Joshua Hobaugh, Denville – U.S. Military Academy
• Michael Zuercher, Lincoln Park – U.S. Military Academy
• Diego Pla-Silsby, Montclair – United States Air Force Academy
• Juliet Trouse, Riverdale – American Merchant Marine Academy
• Connor Wysocki, Randolph – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

The following five NJ-11 students will attend Service Academy Preparatory Schools in the coming year. Students attending a preparatory school do not need a congressional nomination:

• Leila Galarza, Parsippany – United States Military Academy Preparatory School
• Margaret Hedberg, Montclair – United States Naval Academy Preparatory School
• Noah Rega, Madison – United States Naval Academy Preparatory School
• Connor Ross, Morris Plains – United States Naval Academy Preparatory School
• Alexandra Richard, Bloomfield – United States Naval Academy Preparatory School

Through the Merchant Marine Academy, representatives can nominate candidates anywhere in New Jersey. In addition to the above appointees, Rep. Sherrill the next student to receive an appointment at the Merchant Marine Academy:

• William Dozier, Southampton – American Merchant Marine Academy

Representative Sherrill graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1994 and served as a Sea King helicopter pilot and Russian policy officer in the U.S. Navy for nearly a decade years.