Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Mr. Richie Amisone has been accepted to attend the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School at Colorado Springs, Colorado and Mr. David Rotorua Lousiale Kava has been accepted to attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (Army-West Point) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

            Mr. Richie Amisone graduated this year from Samoana High School where he was student body President.  For three consecutive years, Richie represented Samoana High School in the Annual Islandwide Math Contest and twice took first place.  He also was a member of the Samoana High School Varsity Football Team for 2003 and 2004 and a member of the American Samoa All Star Football Team in 2004.  Richie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Li’atama and Lydia Amisone. 

            Mr. David Rotorua Lousiale Kava graduated from Tafuna High School in 2003 where he was a member and Historian for the National Honor Society.  He also was the Physical Training Officer for his high school ROTC unit and a freshman at Arizona State University.  Mr. David Kava is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sione and Saouila Kava.

            “I am pleased to have nominated Mr. Richie Amisone and Mr. David Kava to their respective academies,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Earlier this month, I announced that four other candidates I nominated for the class of 2004 have also been accepted to our nation’s prestigious military prep schools.  Now, we have six candidates from 2004 and one from the class of 2003 enrolled in our military academy prep schools and this is the highest number of candidates we have ever had enrolled in one year.  This is a direct result of last year’s legislation where I was able to increase our nominations to each academy from one to two.”

“Admission to the military academies is highly competitive, both academically and physically.  The one year program at the preparatory schools, which is valued at over $32,000 per student, provides an excellent opportunity for the cadets to increase their chances for a potential appointment to the academy which is valued at over $320,000.”