Congressman Platts Announces Academy Nominations from 19th District

17 Area Students Receive Nominations for Service Academy Appointments

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) has awarded service academy nominations to 17 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 school and community leaders, 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.  Their desire to serve the United States at this critical time in our history should be an inspiration to us all."

Two students received nominations to more than one academy: Sarah E. Groth of Glen Rock, the daughter of William and Judith Groth and a senior at Dallastown Area High School, received nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY).  Kyleigh Millhouse of Boiling Springs, the daughter of John and Cindy Millhouse and a senior at Boiling Springs High School, received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Sara Y. Cousart of Boiling Springs, the daughter of Frank and Laura Cousart and a senior at Boiling Springs High School, also received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy.  Although Congressman Platts did not have any vacancies for which he could directly nominate students to the U.S. Naval Academy this year, U.S. Senator Arlen Specter graciously set aside three of his nominations for selection by Congressman Platts and his Academy Nomination Committee.

Ten students received nominations to the U.S. Military Academy: Korey W. Cook of Dillsburg, the son of Keith and Kathryn Cook and a senior at Bible Baptist High School; Joseph A. Henderson of New Cumberland, the son of John and Carolyn Henderson and a senior at Cedar Cliff High School;  Robert R. Innerst of New Cumberland, the son of Joseph and Diane Innerst and a senior at Red Land High School; Travis L. Keene of Mount Holly Springs, the son of Jerry and Alice Keene and a senior at Carlisle High School;  John J. Kubeika of Enola, the son of John and Colleen Kubeika and a senior at East Pennsboro Area High School;  Nathaniel R. Lauer of York, the son Steven and Vickie Lauer and a senior at York Suburban High School;  Joshua W. McAleer of Dillsburg, the son of William and Susan McAleer and a senior at Northern High School;  Steven J-M. Schiavoni II of Carlisle, the son of Steven and Linda Schiavoni and a senior at Carlisle High School; and Jenny L. Smith of York, the daughter of Stacy and Christie Smith and a senior at West York High School.

Four students received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO). Grant W. Bubb of Dover, the son of Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Donald and Kay Bubb, is returning to the Air Force Academy after taking leave to complete missionary work.  Additional nominees include: Ian R. Higgins of York, the son of Kenneth and Beth Higgins and a senior at Dallastown Area High School; Anjali L. Kundu of Mechanicsburg, the daughter of Sambhu and Bonnie Kundu and a senior at Cumberland Valley High School; and Joseph J. Raisner of Camp Hill, the son of Joseph and Jean Raisner and a senior at Camp Hill High School.

One other student received a nomination to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Timothy J. Omlor of East Berlin, the son of Michael and Marian Omlor and a senior at Dover Area 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.  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 2005 must submit a complete application to Congressman Platts by October 1, 2004.  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.