Rep. Schneider Sends Off Local Military Academy Appointees

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ABOVE: (left to right) Front row: Dayne Smoter, Emmeline Bae, Corianna Jensen, Eleanor K. Bosacoma, and Apollos Burcham.

Back row: John "Jack" Arne, Michael Lee, Congressman Brad Schneider, Tejas Chakravarthy, Ryan Kim and Owen Hodges.

Not pictured: Kayla Gibbons, Halbert Kim.

DEERFIELD, IL – Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) Saturday hosted members of the military service academy class of 2025, their families, and selection committee members for a sendoff celebration in Deerfield's Woodland Park.

Rep. Schneider nominated 31 students from the Tenth District with help from a selection committee of local military academy graduates and current and former servicemembers. Of those, 12 were offered and accepted appointments by a military academy. The military academy class of 2025 is the largest in Schneider's time representing the Tenth District.

"Congratulations to the fantastic Tenth District students who will be attending a military service academy this fall," said Congressman Brad Schneider. "This year's applicants were exceptional, and I am thrilled we have a record-breaking class of 12 applicants accept their offers of admission. Thank you to the selection committee for their support and insight during the nomination process. I wish this year's class great success in their studies and their subsequent service to our nation."

For admission to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, a prospective officer must apply to his or her member of Congress for an appointment. The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require Congressional appointments for admittance.

This year's selection committee was comprised of local military academy graduates and current/former servicemembers. They included Selection Committee Chair and U.S. Military Academy Class of 1994 graduate Joe Mislinski, former Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes Captain Raymond Leung, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1994 graduate Colette Asmussen, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2000 graduate Ryan Kuo, U.S. Military Academy Class of 1975 graduate Commander Fred Weber, Parent of Class of 2017 U.S. Military Academy graduate Kim Vander Yacht, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2000 graduate Dave Witt, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1987 graduate Major Reid Bristow, and Retired Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes Captain James Hawkins.

Of the 12 appointees, three will attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point, three will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, one will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, five will attend the U.S. Naval Academy and one will attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School.

More information on military academy nominations process can be found on Rep. Schneider's website.

The following students accepted military academy appointments:

U.S. Military Academy West Point

Tejas Chakravarthy, Beacon Academy High School

Owen Hodges, Carmel Catholic High School

Halbert Kim, Lake Forest Academy High School

U.S. Air Force Academy

John Arne, Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Michael Lee, Vernon Hills High School

U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Emmeline Bae, Lake Forest High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Apollos Burcham, Deerfield High School

Corianna Jensen, Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Ryan Kim, Vernon Hills High School

Eleanor K. Bosacoma, Glenbrook North High School

Kayla Gibbons, New Mexico Military Institute

U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School

Dayne B. Smoter, Loyola Academy High School