Congresswoman Nita Lowey, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, recently honored the 18 students from Westchester she nominated last December for admission to the nation’s service academies – U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and the U.S. Naval Academy.
“Every year I am struck by the accomplishments of these young men and women,” she said. “There is no greater public service than defending our country, and I am honored to nominate such distinguished students to our nation’s service academies. I look forward to their continued success in service to our nation.”
Lowey thanked the local veterans who attended the 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 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and for expanded access to educational opportunities and health care for all veterans.
Westchester County nominees include:
Chappaqua – Christopher Doyle of Horace Greeley High School, nominated to the Military Academy and Merchant Marine Academy; and Aron Zhao, also of Horace Greeley H.S., to the Military Academy.
Elmsford – Brandon Danuff of Briarcliff H.S., nominated to the Merchant Marine Academy; William Elmlinger of Fordham Prep, to the Military Academy; Taiyo Tatara of Alexander Hamilton H.S., to the Naval Academy.
Irvington – Eric Parke of Irvington H.S., nominated to the Military Academy.
Ossining H.S. – Aidan Case, nominated to the Naval Academy; Rafael Maldonado, to the Air Force Academy; Matthew Minihan, to the Naval Academy; Elliot Ocheltree, to the Naval Academy; and Jaida Lynn Strippoli, to the Military Academy.
Rye Brook – Gabriel Landau of Blind Brook H.S., nominated to the Military Academy; and Bryan Wei, also of Blind Brook H.S., to the Naval Academy
Tarrytown – Cameron Allan of Sleepy Hollow H.S., nominated to the Air Force Academy and Merchant Marine Academy.
West Harrison – Ryan Maguire of Harrison H.S., College of the Holy Cross, nominated to the Naval Academy.
White Plains H.S. – Ryan Grafman, nominated to the Naval Academy; and Clara Friend, to the Military Academy.
Yorktown Heights – Joseph Atherall of Yorktown High School, nominated to the Air Force Academy.
