Congressman Platts Announces Academy Nominees from 19th District

26 Area Students Receive Nominations for Service Academy Appointments

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Todd Platts has awarded service academy nominations to 26 outstanding students from Adams, York and Cumberland Counties. Students are selected for nomination based on the combination of excellence in academic accomplishments, extra-curricular involvement, recommendations from their school and community, and interviews. Applicants should also demonstrate a desire to fulfill a long-term commitment to serving the United States in the Armed Forces.

"I am pleased to have the privilege of nominating outstanding young residents to the United States Service Academies," says Congressman Todd Platts. "The young men and women I nominated this year have proven themselves to be excellent students and leaders in their schools and communities."

Four high school seniors received nominations to more than one academy: Adam Marsh of Hanover, the son of Fred and Celeste Marsh and a senior at South Western High School, received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD). Shea D. Mumma of Glenville, daughter of Edward and Debra Mumma and senior at South Western High School, received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) and the U.S. Military Academy. Thomas E. Powers, III, of York, son of Thomas and Karen Powers and a senior at Dallastown Area High School, received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY). Andrew J. Turo of Mt. Holly Springs, son of Ronald and Claire Turo and a senior at Trinity High School, received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Eight students received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy: Edward J. Hickman of Shippensburg is the son Edward and Mary Hickman and a senior at Shippensburg Area Senior High School. Ryan Insley of Shrewsberry is the son of Rodney and Brenda Insley and a senior at Susquehannock High School. Ryan Johnson of York is the son of Robert and Cheryl Johnson and a senior at Red Lion Area High School. Hermie P. Mendoza is a resident of Etters and is stationed with her parents Danilo and Maria Mendoza in Naples where she is a senior at Naples American High School. David Mitchell of York is the son of Kent and Susan Mitchell and a senior at York Suburban High School. John J. Mooney, IV of Hanover is the son of John and Tyann Mooney and a senior at The Mercersburg Academy. Ruth Ann Rockwell of Shippensburg is the daughter of R. Paul and Dorothy Rockwell and a senior at Shippensburg Area Senior High School. Joshua M. Smith of Spring Grove is the son of Michael and Melanie Smith and a senior at Spring Grove Area High School.

Three students received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy: Andrea C. Graham of Carlisle is the daughter of S. Gareth and Barbara Graham and a senior at Trinity High School. Michael J. Keagel of York is the son of John and Susan Keagel and a senior at Red Lion High School. Sarah Kitchen of Hanover is the daughter of Kerry and Julie Kitchen and a senior at New Oxford High School.

Three students were nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Adam D. Herring of York is the son of Roger and Denise Herring and a senior at Central York High School. R. Garrett Mentzer of Dallastown is the son of Reverend Roger and Catherine Mentzer and a senior at Dallastown Area High School. Matthew L. Sentz of York is the son of Jeffrey and Cathy Sentz and a senior at York Catholic High School.

Eight students were nominated for the U.S. Military Academy: Erik S. Anderson of York, son of Robert and Beth Anderson and a senior at Central York High School. Joseph Bresnahan of Thomasville is the son of Lawrence and Joyce and a senior at Spring Grove Area Senior High School. Jessica Culton of York is the daughter of Jeffrey Culton and Barbara Culton and is a senior at York Suburban High School. Donovan D. Groh of Carlisle is the son of Jeffrey and Nancee Groh and a senior at Carlisle High School. Timothy W. Lowe of McSherrystown is the son of Brad Lowe and Pam Lowe and a senior at Delone Catholic High School. Edward B. Murdock of Carlisle is the son of Edward and Caryl Murdock and a senior at Carlisle High School. Brett A. Shaffer of Thomasville is the son of Dennis and Sandra Shaffer and a senior at Spring Grove Area Senior High School. Joseph T. Woods of Carlisle is the son of George and Elizabeth Woods and a senior at Carlisle High School.

The nomination process begins in the Fall of each year. Each member of Congress is allowed five appointees in each service academy at any one time. Congressman Platts is permitted to nominate up to ten young men or women for each available vacancy in the appointment slots allotted to him.

Nominations do not guarantee admittance to the service academies, but all of the U.S. Service Academies, except for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, require a Congressional or Vice Presidential nomination for admission. Each service academy selects their incoming freshman class from the outstanding students who have received nominations from Members of Congress and/or the Vice President of the United States and who have met other rigorous criteria in academics and physical endurance.

Students interested in applying for an Academy Nomination from Congressman Platts for the Class of 2004 must submit a complete application to Congressman Platts by October 1, 2003. Detailed information on the application process and a copy of the nomination application can be found on Congressman Platts' web site at www.house.gov/platts or by calling his office at 717-600-1919.