Norton to Host Service Academy College Fair and Sendoff of 11 D.C. High School Graduates to the Academies, Tuesday

WASHINGTON, DC – The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton will hold her annual Service Academy College Fair and Sendoff tomorrow to present a record number of 2015 nominees to the service academies and to encourage District of Columbia high school students to attend the service academies on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., at the Columbia Heights Education Campus(3101 16th St. NW). The Fair is an opportunity for prospective students in grades 6-11 as well as with their parents to speak with service academy representatives and alumni and District of Columbia high school students on their way to the academies.

This year's nine appointees include five young men and four young women – Maria Manuela Bayón Farrell (U.S. Naval Academy, Woodrow Wilson High School), Malcolm Jahlane Dixon (U.S. Naval Academy, Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School); Rebecca Patricia Edmunds (U.S. Coast Guard Academy, School Without Walls); Stefano Javier Escoto (U.S. Naval Academy, St. John's High School); James Guillen-Blandford (U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Washington Latin Public Charter School); Matthew Hayden (U.S. Coast Guard Academy, St. Anslem's Abby School); Patrick Christopher Irby-Bailey (U.S. Military Academy, Gonzaga High School); Chandalar Conner Pensley (U.S. Naval Academy, School Without Walls); and Georgia Grace Trotter (U.S. Air Force Academy, National Cathedral School). Two D.C. Students, Alexander Curry Edge (St. Albans School) and Mikal TréVon Harrisom (Washington Latin Public Charter School) will attend the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in 2015-2016. Upon the successful completion of their year of preparatory work, they will receive appointments to the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2020.

"Tomorrow's Service Academy Fair has a dual purpose. It allows me to present and to honor a record-breaking 11 District of Columbia students to our nation's service academies and academy prep schools," Norton said. "These students are making our city, schools, and their families incredibly proud by choosing to serve our nation, while receiving a first-class college education, a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. On the same day, we also hold our Academy College Fair at the same place to encourage current D.C. students to aspire to enter the Academy and to be inspired to do so by recognition of students like themselves about to enter."

Every year, Norton nominates D.C. high school seniors to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. The services select the best of her nominees for appointments to their Academies. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy uses a direct appointment system.