U.S. Rep. Castor announces her 2021 nominations to U.S. military academies
Press Release
Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced 26 students representing more than ten local high schools received nominations for admission into our nation's military academies: Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).
"I am proud to nominate a diverse, impressive group of students from the Tampa Bay area to attend our nation's prestigious service academies," said Castor. "These dedicated students are the leaders of tomorrow, and I'm grateful for their commitment to serving our nation.
"My dedicated Nomination Committee puts in careful thought and time every year to thoroughly review each application and meet with each interested student individually, and I appreciate their important contribution," Castor continued. "Tampa Bay is a patriotic community, and our committee members are devoted to developing bright young leaders that will shape the future of America's armed forces and our nation."
Photos of the nominees can be found here.
Receiving a nomination to one of our nation's military academies is an essential step towards receiving an appointment to the academies. Nominations are earned based upon each student's interview with Castor's Nomination Committee, their academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities. Because of the stringent application requirements, many students begin working on what it takes to apply as early as their first year of high school.
Based upon the process established by federal law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require either a service-connected or Congressional nomination (from their member of Congress, U.S. Senator or the Vice President of the United States). Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors and find more information at https://castor.house.gov/constituentservices/serviceacademynominations.htm.
Castor will announce official appointments at a later date after being notified of appointments by the academies. Today's announcement is the conclusion of Castor's 2021 competitive nomination process. The nominees who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend their respective academies in the 2022-2023 school year.
U.S. Rep. Castor granted her nomination to the following students for one or more of the U.S. military academies:
Scott Larguier, Berkeley Prep -- USMA
Amani Haskins, Robinson High School -- USMA
Archie Dennis, The Lays School, Cambridge, UK -- USMA
Ryan Maney, Plant High School -- USMA
John Overton, King High School -- USMA
Gabriel Slater, Carrollwood Day School -- USMA + USAFA
Maxwell Fuller, Robinson High School -- USMA
Madison Lawrence, Plant High School -- USNA + USMA
Gabrielle Hernandez, Middleton High School (Georgia Military College) -- USMA
Jacob Ellis, Hillsborough High School -- USAFA
Madeline Frank, Robinson High School -- USNA
Adrianna Cook, Ramstein High School -- USNA + USAFA
Lauren McCain, Wharton High School -- USNA
Conrad DuFault, Steinbrenner High School -- USNA
Sara Arroyave, Robinson High School -- USAFA
David Switzer, Freedom High School -- USNA + USAFA
Pate Griffey, Cambridge Christian School -- USNA
Alexis Baez, Leto High School -- USNA
Richard Gonzalez, Steinbrenner High School -- USNA
Jamison Ringvelski, homeschooled -- USMMA
Katherine Dingwall, Robinson High School -- USAFA
Solei Montalvo, Gaither High School -- USAFA
Michael Watson, Cocoa Beach High School -- USMMA
Dante Des Rosier, Berkeley Prep -- USAFA
Joseph Pleinis, Plant High School -- USAFA
Camilla Quintero, Steinbrenner High School -- USAFA
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