Pearl River Residents Among Nominees To Service Academies

PEARL RIVER, NY — Twenty-nine students were nominated by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) for admission to the nation's service academies. Two are from Pearl River. Recently she honored them all at her annual Service Academy Recognition Ceremonies.

“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 13 nominees from Rockland and 16 from Westchester. As of today, 11 students have been accepted by an academy for admission this summer. The ceremony took place at Westchester Community College.

Lowey thanked local veterans who attended the April 23 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.

Here is a list of this year’s students from Rockland and Westchester nominated by Congresswoman Lowey to a service academy, listed by municipality.

Rockland County Nominees:

Chestnut Ridge

• Sean Guerrero, Paramus Catholic High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Nanuet

• Benjamin Chun, Nanuet Senior High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• Renato Cocucci, Don Bosco Prep School, Manhattan College, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• Eugene Om, Nanuet High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

New City

• Sean Doherty, Bergen Catholic High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy
• Benjamin Lockey, Clarkstown High School South, Texas A&M University, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• Jack Welsome, Clarkstown High School North, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Pearl River

• Brian Flaherty, Pearl River High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• John Gormley, North Rockland High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Suffern

• Thomas Alvarado, Suffern High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

Thiells

• Kelcie Bogardus, North Rockland High School, RCC, University at Buffalo, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Valley Cottage

• Zaim Radoncic, Bergen Catholic High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

West Nyack

• Joshua Henriques, Fork Union Military Academy, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Westchester County Nominees:

Briarcliff Manor

• Patrick Walker, Hackley School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

Chappaqua

• Matthew Jabloner, Horace Greeley High School, Marion Military Institute, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Cortlandt Manor

• Matthew Sillcocks, Walter Panas High School, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, nominated to United States Air Force Academy

Elmsford

• Christopher Hecht, Archbishop Stepinac High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Hartsdale

• Matthew Cooper, Loyola School NYC, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Jefferson Valley

• Alexander Piedra, Lakeland High School, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Ossining

• Emma San Martin, Ossining High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• Nicholas San Martin, Ossining High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy
• Yoo Shin Tanai, Ossining High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

Purchase

• Mark Rigano, Harrison High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Rye Brook

• Alexander Golden, Blind Brook High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy
• Nestor Levin, Blind Brook High School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy

Tarrytown

• Michal Kozlowski, Regis High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy

West Harrison

• Ryan Maguire, Harrison High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

White Plains

• Edwin Edjeani, White Plains High School, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Yorktown Heights

• Macey Drezek, Yorktown High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy

PHOTOS

Rockland nominees: Back Row (L-R):, Alan Moskin (Service Academy Review Board Member), John Nonna (Service Academy Review Board Chair), Bill Pereira (Service Academy Review Board Member), Bob Coloumbe (Service Academy Review Board Member), Steve Ronco (Service Academy Review Board Member). Front Row (L-R): Kelcie Bogardus, Brian Flaherty, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Jack Welsome, Eugene Om, Sean Doherty.

Westchester nominees: Back Row (L-R): John Nonna (Service Academy Review Board Chair), Alan Moskin (Service Academy Review Board Member), Bill Pereira (Service Academy Review Board Member), Bob Coloumbe (Service Academy Review Board Member), Steve Ronco (Service Academy Review Board Member). Front Row (L-R): Michal Kozlowski, Chris Hecht, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Mark Rigano, Nestor Levin, Ryan Maguire, Matt Cooper.