Durbin To Announce Nominees for Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend the nation’s four service academies.
“I look forward to announcing my service academy nominations every year because the young men and women are some of their generation's most promising leaders in the State of Illinois,” Durbin said. “This year’s group meets that standard. I have no doubt that they will serve their country honorably and make their families 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)
Blaine C. Brown, Quincy, son of Jason and Stephanie Brown
Casey L. Crawford, St. Charles, daughter of Jay and Joann Crawford
Kyle P. Fredrickson, Clarendon Hills, son of Kent and Lizabeth Fredrickson
Josiah B. Gulick, O’Fallon, son of Jeffrey and Jeanette Gulick
Paul B. Kim, Wilmette, son of Joshua and Bo Kim
Zachary D. Lewis, Mendota, son of Kent and Julie Lewis
Elizabeth A. Newlin, Peoria, daughter of Timothy and Lori Newlin
Timothy J. Park, Lisle, son of Daniel and Meeyoung Park
Spencer C. Smith, Chicago, son of Brian and Camille Smith
AIR FORCE ACADEMY (one vacancy)
Khaled A. Basrawi, Streamwood, son of Ahmad and Ihssan Basrawi
Andrew J. DeVleeschouwer, St. Charles, son of David and Lucille DeVleeschouwer
Brad K. Diefendorf, Logan, son of Walt and Chaplain LTC Karen Diefendorf
Peter T. Heidlauf, Geneva, son of David and Lisa Heidlauf
Hillary C. Keltner, Belleville, daughter of Greg and Joan Keltner
Kathryn S. Lowry, Mount Prospect, daughter of David and Rose Lowry
Blaise R. McNeese, Bloomington, son of Dennis and Jill McNeese
Jonathan S. Price, Plainfield, son of Don and Robin Price
Michael A. Probst, Wheeler, son of Randall and Lori Probst
Matthew L. Waddel, O’Fallon, son of Michael and Jamie Waddel
NAVAL ACADEMY (one vacancy)
Joseph M. Brandt, Naperville, son of Robert Lee and Dee Ann Brandt
Michael S. Charysh, Chicago, son of Michael and Marsha Charysh
Joel I. Grabiel, Decatur, son of Richard and Susan Grabiel
Katherine J. Hunzinger, Downers Grove, daughter of Les and Janet Hunzinger
Charles S. Lauer, Winnetka, son of Randy and Wendi Lauer
John F. Manganaro, Carlock, son of John Thomas Manganaro & Linda Sue Moorhead
Connor J. McDonnell, Elmhurst, son of William and Lisa McDonnell
Brian D. Reinholz, Waterloo, son of Mark and Barb Reinholz
Jordan Spear, Chicago, son of Joel and Cathleen Spear
Joseph M. Storto, Naperville, son of Mark and Dorotea Storto
MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (one vacancy)
Sean M. Howard, Sugar Grove, son of William and Colleen Howard
Colton J. Wenstrom, McHenry, son of John and Linda Wenstrom