Congressman Recognizes Local Young People Nominated to Service Academies

Congressman Lee Zeldin hosted a reception at the Patchogue Elks Lodge Friday to recognize and congratulate 36 Long Islanders he nominated to United States Service Academies this year — with many from the East End and nearby areas.

Members of Congress are able to nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy , Kings Point, NY, a release said; the fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Criteria for nomination included academic achievement, leadership potential, demonstration of character, and participation in extracurricular activities, a release said.

“I am proud to congratulate the Service Academy nominees for New York’s First Congressional District. A big congratulations is also in order for the families and friends of our nominees as well. Our U.S. Service Academies play a vital role in training our future leaders," he said.

Zeldin added, "All of the applicants this year were highly qualified for a congressional nomination, which made this decision extremely difficult, but I am proud to say that after eight months we have nominated 36 fine young men and women. These leaders have shown their commitment to the values important to our Armed Forces — hard work, dedication, and a willingness to serve our nation. It is my hope that each nominee will take full advantage of all that the service academy has to offer, and that they will prove to be the best of the best of their generation.”

Nominees from the local area include:

U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY

Noa Langleben of Southampton

Samantha Squicciarini of Manorville

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD:

David Cable of East Moriches

Jack Stanton-Taddeo of Wading River

Joseph Miller of Wading River.

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO:

Nikki Distefano of Hampton Bays

Robert Choma of Manorville

Thomas Haskell of Manorville

James D’Agostino of Westhampton

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY:

Matthew DiGiorgi of Southampton

Joseph Mele of Mattituck

Hunter West of Southampton