Rep. Zeldin Announces Nominations of 25 Local U.S. Service Academy Applicants

PATCHOGUE, NY - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) announced 25 local applicants from across New York’s First Congressional District as his nominees to the United States Service Academies.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Over the past few months, Congressman Zeldin has worked closely with his staff and Service Academy Review Committee to narrow down the candidates based on specific criteria, including academic achievement, leadership potential, demonstration of character and participation in extracurricular activities.

“These 25 young men and women represent our communities’ best and brightest,” said Congressman Zeldin. “Each and every one of them has exhibited superior academic achievement, leadership and unwavering character, and their decision to serve our nation by attending one of our nation’s service academies make Long Island and our country so proud. It’s an honor to nominate these fine young men and women, and I have no doubt that they all have incredibly bright futures.”

The full list of nominees is as follows:

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Marco Calise of Mattituck

Kendall Coard of Southampton

Olivia Fermo of Smithtown

William Francois of Coram

Caitlyn Gabrinowitz of Middle Island

Jesus Garcia of Ridge

William Miller of Wading River

Brandy Moeller of Miller Place

Domenick Ribaudo of Medford

Gavin Russiello-Tous of Mount Sinai

U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY

Michael Teplansky of Smithtown

George Donohue of St. James

Michael Terry of Commack 

Benjamin Moncayo of Nesconset

Andrew Souhrada of Southampton

Samantha Schaumloffel of Remsenburg

Maximus Haynia of Quogue

Anthony Spiezio of St. James

Rachel Schieder of Port Jefferson Station

Marlin Kresse of Coram

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

Anthony Singh of Centereach

Aiden Rogers of East Setauket

Alec Gregorek of Wading River

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

Ryan Thorne of Selden

Brittney Ellefsen of Smithtown