Schneider celebrates military academy class of 2025 members from 10th District

Congressman Brad Schneider on Saturday hosted members of the military service academy class of 2025, their families, and selection committee members for a send-off celebration in Deerfield's Woodland Park.

With help from a selection committee of local military academy graduates and current and former service members, Schneider nominated 31 students from the 10th District. 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 10th District. 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.

U.S. Military Academy West Point: Tejas Chakravarthy, Beacon Academy High School; Owen Hodges, Carmel Catholic High School; Halbert Kim, Lake Forest Academy

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

"Congratulations to the fantastic 10th District students who will be attending a military service academy this fall," Schneider said. "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 in Annapolis, Maryland, the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, a prospective officer must apply to their member of Congress for an appointment. The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require appointments for admittance.

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

For details about military academy nominations, visit schneider.house.gov.