Lowey Recognizes Rockland Students Nominated to US Service Academies

From the Office of Congresswoman Nita Lowey:

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, last week honored at her annual Service Academy Recognition Ceremony the 29 students from Westchester and Rockland counties she nominated last December for admission to our nation’s service academies -- U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“These distinguished young Americans have answered the call to duty,” said Lowey. “I commend their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success in service to our nation. It’s an honor to work with local veterans, who have made great sacrifices to our nation, to nominate such impressive young men and women to the service academies.”

The nominees come from many communities in the 17th Congressional District, including 11 nominees from Rockland. As of today, eight students have been accepted by an academy for admission this summer and others may still receive offers of appointment. The ceremony took place at the White Plains Public Library.

Lowey thanked local veterans who attended the April 25 ceremony for their service to our country, and noted her work in Congress on behalf of veterans, including her support for the largest funding increase in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and for expanded access to educational opportunities and health care for all veterans.

Below is a list of this year’s Rockland County students nominated by Congresswoman Lowey to service academies, listed by hometown.

Montebello

- Matthew Hinkley, Saint Joseph Regional High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

Nanuet

- Kyran Christopherson, Nanuet High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

- Renato Cocucci, Don Bosco Preparatory High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

New City

- John Andrew Spallanzani, Don Bosco Preparatory High School, currently attends Hobart College, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

- August St. Louis, Clarkstown High School South, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Pearl River

- Manuel Arango, Pearl River High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

- Nicholas D’Allara, Nanuet High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

- Jake Kurzhals, Pearl River High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

- Liam O’Hara, Don Bosco Preparatory High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Pomona

- Casey Bischoff, Albertus Magnus High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Thiells

- Katelyn Gormley, North Rockland High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Photo of the Rockland nominees with Congresswoman Lowey: (left to right) Liam O’Hara, Jake Kurzhals, Matthew Hinkley, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, August St. Louis, Nicholas D’Allara, Renato Cocucci, Kyran Christopherson.