Durbin announces nominees for service academies

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend four of the nation's service academies.

"Every year I am honored to nominate some of Illinois' best and brightest young men and women for our nation's service academies," Durbin said. "These individuals are the leaders of tomorrow, and I have no doubt that they will make their families and their country proud."

The academies include U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Everyone who wishes to attend a service academy must secure a nomination from one of a few sources, including a U.S. Senator. Prospective students at the service academies must apply for a nomination and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and good moral character.

U.S. Senators are allowed a maximum of five appointees at a given service academy at any time - except for the Merchant Marine Academy, which is based on a state quota. Senator Durbin is allowed to nominate 10 candidates for each vacancy and does so by selecting nominees for admission on a competitive basis. The service academies will each choose one nominee for each vacancy and offer him or her an appointment.

While each member of Congress is only guaranteed their annual allotment of appointments, it is general practice that the service academies will also consider the remaining applicants for appointment outside the congressional quota, depending on student qualifications and class size. In previous years, the academies have accepted significant numbers of Durbin's nominees because of their superior qualifications.

The nominees were chosen by Durbin's Service Academy Selection Committee, a nonpartisan board that meets annually in December to review applicants.

Senator Durbin's suburban nominees include:

Military Academy at West Point (one vacancy)

• Michael O. Burke, St. Charles, son of Martin and Katherine Burke

• Elizabeth L. Gonzales, Bensenville, daughter of Nancy and Michael Gonzales

• John D. Hamman, Naperville, son of Lisa and David Hamman

• Michael P. King, Wheaton, son of Marybeth and David King

• Michael P. McGerty, Lombard, son of Patrick and MaryAnn McGerty

• Stephen G. Pierzchala, Elmhurst, son of Richard Stanley and Dayna Sue Pierzchala

• Jake J. Ribich, Port Barrington, son of Diane and Len Mattaliano

• David P. Thrasher, Wheaton, son of William and Penelope Thrasher

Air Force Academy (two vacancies)

• Nicholas J. Baietto, Crystal Lake, son of Michael and Elizabeth Baietto

• Amanda C. Burson, Aurora, daughter of Byron Ray and Rebecca Carrol Burson

• Diana S. Hare, Crystal Lake, daughter of Forrest Hare

• Alexander L. Knox, Rolling Meadows, son of Eric and Brenda Knox

• Connor J. Latham, Lakemoor, son of Lisa and Mark Latham

• Riley M. Simpson, Wheaton, David and Tin Simpson

• Mateusz Szelazek, Franklin Park, son of Anna and Bartosz Szelazek

• Michael J. Stefan, Deer Park, son of Richard and Ann Stefan

• Aidan J. Smith, Hinsdale, son of Brian Timothy and Cheryl Anne Smith

• Courtney G. Trom, Hoffman Estates, Steve and Maureen Trom

Navel Academy (one vacancy)

• Matthew C. Bandusky, Wheaton, son of Drew and Karen Bandusky

• Malone E. Buinauskas, Western Springs, daughter of Peter and Catherine Buinauskas

• Patrick M. Guinan, Elmhurst, son of Thomas and Margaret Guinan

• Tyler J. McAvoy, Geneva, son of Terry McAvoy

• Lucy A. Zimmerman, Naperville, daughter of Thomas and Debra Zimmerman

Merchant Marine Academy

• Justin B. Fu, Libertyville, son of Norman and Linda Fu