Congresswoman Norton to Use Congratulatory Reception for 2009 Service Academy Appointees (6/24/09)

Congresswoman Norton to Use Congratulatory Reception for 2009 Service Academy Appointees to Interest Honor Roll Students in Academies

June 24, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a Congratulatory Reception for her 2009 Service Academy Appointees combined with an information session for prospective service academy applicants and honor roll students in our schools, who have been invited, on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 6:30-8:30pm at the U.S Navy Memorial, located on 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Several of the students who have won coveted places at the academies will say a few words, and Rear Admiral Cecil D. Haney, a native Washingtonian and an African American will briefly speak. Commander Kerwin Miller, USN SN (Ret), Naval Academy, Class of 1975, chair, Congresswoman Norton's Service Academy selection Board, will preside.

Five local high school seniors, including the first candidate the Congresswoman is nominating from McKinley High School, were selected for this year's Service Academy appointments. The recipients are: Esmeraldy Arce, Wilson Senior High School appointed to the U.S Merchant Marine Academy. Michaela Noel Bilotta from Georgetown Visitation, appointed to the U.S Naval Academy. Langston Davis Clarke, Wilson Senior High School appointed to the U.S Military Academy. Anthony Bertram Clay, McKinley Technical High School appointed to the U.S Naval Academy Preparatory School, and Garrett Connell, Wilson Senior High School appointed to the U.S Military Academy. Two active duty service members stationed in DC also received appointments: Charles Michael Clymer, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy, and Nickolas Immanuel Morejon, appointed to the U.S Naval Academy.

The students were interviewed by Congresswoman's Service Academy Selection Board, most of whom are graduates of the academies themselves. All live in the District. The Board is a team of accomplished military members who recommended applicants to the academy. The members include: Commander & Chairman Kerwin E. Miller, USN (Ret.); Lt. Commander Wesley A. Brown, US Naval Academy Class of 1949, First African American Graduate of the Naval Academy; Chairman Emeritus Steven R. Blust, US Merchant Marine Academy Class of 1971; Dorenda Canty, US Merchant Marine Academy Class of 1979; David P. Gragan, US Air Force Academy Class of 1977; OV Johnson; Ernest L. Jolly, US Naval Academy Class of 1974; George R. Keys, Jr., US Air Force Academy, Class of 1970, Rhodes Scholar; Charles B. King, US Military Academy, Class of 1944; Riaz Latifullah, US Merchant Marine Academy, Class of 1978; Colonel Jon Mark, USAF (Ret.); Antonio Montes; Professor Barabara J. Smith; James "Bernie" Walker; and Commander Carol Womack US Naval Academy, Class of 1989.

Each year, Congresswoman Norton nominates high school students attending DC public and private Schools, to four service military academies. Each candidate, ages 17-23, receives a free college education and must remain in the military 5 years after graduation. A nomination to one of the service academies is very competitive, and can only be approved by a member of Congress or from the Vice President. For further inquires about Service Academies, contact Congresswoman Norton's district office at (202) 783-5065 or visit https://www.norton.house.gov/.