Walsh announces service academy nominees

U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh announces his 8th Congressional District nominees to the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Walsh nominated 28 young men and women for consideration to attend these prestigious service academies.

“I am proud to represent a congressional district with so many talented and dedicated young people who are committed to serving our country and protecting the freedoms we all enjoy,” he said.

In order for a student to be considered for admission to an academy, they must have a strong record of academic and extracurricular achievement and receive a nomination from either a member of Congress or United States senator.

Walsh appointed a committee to review nomination applications, interview the applicants and make recommendations. The committee was comprised of Rear Adm. (ret.) John “Jack” Mumaw, Rear Adm. (ret.) Mack Gaston, Col. (ret.) Michael DeLapp, Capt. (ret.) Les Lang, and Naval Academy graduates Roland Marquis and Perry Taylor.

“It is an accomplishment and an honor to be nominated to attend a service academy,” Walsh said. “I wish each of these fine students the best of luck as they continue with the next steps of the academy admission process.”

Walsh’s nominees to the United States Service Academies include:

Chase Binkley, Lake Villa; Steven Blake, Tower Lakes; Patrick Bolger, Barrington; Natalie Clarke, Hoffman Estates; Zachary Crites, Ingleside; Danielle Di Iorio, Barrington; Thomas Frederick, Woodstock; John Gallagher, Barrington; William Graft, Jr., Barrington; Zeke Honeger, Lake Zurich; Matthew Jarosz, Schaumburg; Johnathon Kroc, Gurnee; Jasmine Lamb, Mundelein; Andrew Lanza, Crystal Lake; Michael Lomastro, Wauconda; Henning Matz, Schaumburg; Luke Mivshek, Wadsworth; Michael Ryan, Johnsburg; Jeannine Schulz, Antioch; Jacob Stilke, Woodstock; Kassandra Stimpson, Ingleside; John Tazioli, Mundelein; Mitchel Torrence, Barrington; John Vanlerberghe, Antioch; Anthony Veness, Round Lake; Matt Voska, Tower Lakes; Natalie Wallace, Barrington; Evan Williams, Lake Zurich.