Durbin Announces Nominees for Service Academies
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend four of the nation’s service academies.
“Every year I am honored to nominate some of Illinois’ best and brightest young men and women for our nation’s service academies,” Durbin said. “These individuals are the leaders of tomorrow, and I have no doubt that they will make their families and their country proud.”
The academies include U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Everyone who wishes to attend a service academy must secure a nomination from one of a few sources, including a U.S. Senator. Prospective students at the service academies must apply for a nomination and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and good moral character.
U.S. Senators are allowed a maximum of five appointees at a given service academy at any time—except for the Merchant Marine Academy, which is based on a state quota. Senator Durbin is allowed to nominate 10 candidates for each vacancy and does so by selecting nominees for admission on a competitive basis. The service academies will each choose one nominee for each vacancy and offer him or her an appointment.
While each member of Congress is only guaranteed their annual allotment of appointments, it is general practice that the service academies will also consider the remaining applicants for appointment outside the congressional quota, depending on student qualifications and class size. In previous years the academies have accepted significant numbers of Durbin’s nominees because of their superior qualifications.
The nominees were chosen by Durbin’s Service Academy Selection Committee, a nonpartisan board that meets annually in December to review applicants.
Senator Durbin’s nominees and their hometowns are as follows:
MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT (one vacancy)
Michael O. Burke, St. Charles, son of Martin and Katherine Burke
Margaret M. Finger, Chicago, daughter of Kevin and Joanne Finger
Elizabeth L. Gonzales, Bensenville, daughter of Nancy and Michael Gonzales
John D. Hamman, Naperville, son of Lisa and David Hamman
Michael P. King, Wheaton, son of Marybeth and David King
Trenton R. Leslie, Chicago, son of Ross and Kimberly Leslie
Michael P. McGerty, Lombard, son of Patrick and MaryAnn McGerty
Stephen G. Pierzchala, Elmhurst, son of Richard Stanley and Dayna Sue Pierzchala
Jake J. Ribich, Port Barrington, son of Diane and Len Mattaliano
David P. Thrasher, Wheaton, son of William and Penelope Thrasher
AIR FORCE ACADEMY (two vacancies)
Nicholas J. Baietto, Crystal Lake, son of Michael and Elizabeth Baietto
Caitlyn D. Brizzi, Dupo, daughter of Jennifer Cooper and Jeremy Brizzi
Amanda C. Burson, Aurora, daughter of Byron Ray and Rebecca Carrol Burson
Angela M. Buch, O’Fallon, daughter of Karl and Sheila Buch
Matthew J. Fleckenstein, New Lenox, son of Raymond and Doris Fleckenstein
Diana S. Hare, Crystal Lake, daughter of Forrest Hare
Jeong U. Kim, Apo, Germany, son of Hyun Kim and Jin Kjung Lim
Alexander L. Knox, Rolling Meadows, son of Eric and Brenda Knox
Connor J. Latham, Lakemoor, son of Lisa and Mark Latham
Mason D. Pohlman, Jacksonville, son of David and Kimberly Pohlman
Timothy J. Sanderson, Belleville, son of Darrell and Beth Sanderson
Riley M. Simpson, Wheaton, David and Tin Simpson
Mateusz Szelazek, Franklin Park, son of Anna and Bartosz Szelazek
Michael J. Stefan, Deer Park, son of Richard and Ann Stefan
Aidan J. Smith, Hinsdale, son of Brian Timothy and Cheryl Anne Smith
Elias R. Sanchez, Green Valley, son of Justin and Jennifer Sanchez
Courtney G. Trom, Hoffman Estates , Steve and Maureen Trom
Maxwell C. Turner, Marquette Heights, son of Douglas and Shelly Turner
Garrett A. Wight, Williamsfield, son of Alan and Kathy Wight
Ashton C. Williams, Springfield, daughter of Brian and Rebecca Walton
NAVAL ACADEMY (one vacancy)
Matthew C. Bandusky, Wheaton, son of Drew and Karen Bandusky
Matthew J. Bender, East Peoria, son of John and Stephanie Bender
Malone E. Buinauskas, Western Springs, daughter of Peter and Catherine Buinauskas
Mariah C. Dicksen, Lockport, Michael and Carol Dicksen
Michael R. Graham, Crestwood, son of Mike and Lisa Graham
Patrick M. Guinan, Elmhurst, son of Thomas and Margaret Guinan
Nolan A. Kreipe, Carlinville, son of Kevin and Tracey Kreipe
Tyler J. McAvoy, Geneva, son of Terry McAvoy
Bradley R. Novak, Brimfield, son of David and Anita Novak
Lucy A. Zimmerman, Naperville, daughter of Thomas and Debra Zimmerman
MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Jordon O. Pless, Ransom, son of Patricia and Calvin Duffield
Justin B. Fu, Libertyville, son of Norman and Linda Fu
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