Port Jeff Students Receive Congressional Service Academy Nominations

Two Earl L. Vandermeulen High School seniors have been honored with Congressional Service Academy nominations from former Congressman Timothy Bishop.

A Congressional nomination is a necessary first step in gaining acceptance into a military academy and requires students to submit applications and participate in an interview process.

The Port Jefferson students, Dylan Wennerod and James Murphy, both have had life-long dreams of attending a service academy.

Wennerod intends on applying to the Merchant Marine Academy to study engineering and also play football, a sport he has been involved in since the third grade.

“I have always wanted to serve my country,” said Wennerod. “Both my grandfathers were in the military.”

Likewise, Murphy said he too has always had his eye on attending a military school. His goal is to attend West Point, a school that he was exposed when he competed in gymnastics. Also motivating him is a long-line of relatives who have served their country.

Murphy said he plans to study engineering and also possibly pre-med as he is thinking about a future career as a

Photo courtesy of the Port Jefferson School District: Port Jefferson seniors Dylan Wennerod and James Murphy accept their Congressional nominations from former Congressman Tim Bishop.