North Caldwell Teen Earns Spot At Prestigious Military Academy

CALDWELLS, NJ — A teen from the Caldwells will be attending one of the most prestigious military schools in the nation: the U.S. Military Academy.

Robert Simone of North Caldwell was among dozens of students from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District who earned appointments to the U.S. Service Academies and Service Academy Preparatory Schools for 2023.

In addition to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the other students will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and their associated preparatory schools, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) recently announced.

Sherrill hosted an event to recognize the students last week.

“Each and every year, I continue to be so impressed by the caliber of students who apply to my office for nominations to the military service academies,” said the congresswoman, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994 and went on to serve as a Sea King helicopter pilot and Russian policy officer in the U.S. Navy for almost 10 years.

“From personal experience, I know how rigorous the course of instruction is at these schools – both academically and physically – and I’m proud to wish them well as they begin their careers as future leaders of our men and women in uniform,” Sherrill added.

The NJ-11 students attending U.S. Service Academies include:

• Chirag Chandnani, Mountain Lakes – U.S. Naval Academy
• David Farrell, Morris Plains – U.S. Naval Academy
• Elizabeth Habjan, Montclair – U.S. Naval Academy
• Delaney Moynihan, Chatham – U.S. Naval Academy
• Kyle James, Whippany – U.S. Naval Academy
• Jaycen Burke, Whippany – U.S. Military Academy
• Matthew Leslie, Rockaway – U.S. Military Academy
• Sophia Levitt, Livingston – U.S. Military Academy
• William Parrella, Kinnelon – U.S. Military Academy
• Remy Ronen, Cedar Grove – U.S. Military Academy
• Gina Oswald, Riverdale – U.S. Military Academy
• Heainz Manoj, Livingston – U.S. Military Academy
• Robert Simone, North Caldwell – U.S. Military Academy
• Joey Shi, Livingston – U.S. Military Academy
• Thomas Schottland, Sparta – U.S. Military Academy
• Bennett Marshall, Chatham – U.S. Military Academy
• Sarah Thabit, Morristown – U.S. Military Academy
• Clark Wagner, Madison – U.S. Military Academy
• Kelly Keyes, Parsippany – U.S. Military Academy
• Vincent Wong, Millburn – U.S. Military Academy
• Audrey Baker, Essex Fells – U.S. Air Force Academy
• Christian Greene, Chatham – U.S. Air Force Academy
• John Freeman, Montclair – U.S. Air Force Academy
• Joseph White, Pompton Plains – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Zak Li, Wayne – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

The following two NJ-11 students will be attending Service Academy Preparatory Schools in the coming year:

• Michael Orlando, Wayne – U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School
• Andrew Daly, Wayne – U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School

The Merchant Marine Academy allows Representatives to nominate candidates from anywhere in New Jersey. In addition to the appointees above, Rep. Sherrill nominated the following student who received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy:

• Ian Sheeron, Mount Laurel – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

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