Above: Gottheimer congratulates students on their nomination to a service academy

GLEN ROCK, NJ – On Saturday, February 2, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) congratulated the 24 Fifth District high school students he nominated to one of the four U.S. service academies this cycle, including the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Nominees must now be admitted by the academies to matriculate.

Gottheimer selected the students through the counsel of a community advisory board comprised of local leaders and veterans who have served in different branches of the armed forces. They help Gottheimer select the best, brightest, most well-rounded group of students to be nominated.

“One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to meet all the incredible students who show such a strong dedication to serving our country at a young age,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Each one of them has displayed excellence in academics, athletics, and in their communities and I am so impressed and so proud of what they’ve accomplished and what they will accomplish. Their dedication to service is admirable and I will continue to do whatever I can in Congress to support those who serve and have served our country.”

The full list of students nominated is below. More information about the nomination process is available on Gottheimer’s House website.

Thomas Bizub- United States Military Academy- Wyckoff

Michael Centanni- United States Military Academy- Haworth 

Cayla Chmiolek- United States Military Academy- Wyckoff

Ryan DiCaprio- United States Military Academy- Woodcliff Lake

Raymond Jin- United States Military Academy- Fair Lawn

Dongyeon Kim- United States Military Academy- Closter

Hannah Kim- United States Military Academy- Westwood

Joshua Kim- United States Military Academy- Glen Rock

Michelle Szegda- United States Military Academy- Harrington Park 

Colin Adamo- United States Naval Academy- River Vale

Roya Aliha- United States Naval Academy- Oakland

Kerem Ayhan- United States Naval Academy- Hackettstown

Ashley Chung- United States Naval Academy- Old Tappan

Nicole Choi- United States Naval Academy- Paramus

Emily McCausland- United States Naval Academy- Paramus 

Chase Nugnes- United States Naval Academy- Newton

Aliha Reid- United States Naval Academy- Bergenfield

Justin Wang- United States Naval Academy- Closter

Jason Zilberfarb- United States Naval Academy- Andover Twp

Shawn Burke- United States Merchant Marine Academy- Hackettstown

Thomas Germano- United States Merchant Marine Academy- Wantage

Nico Savino- United States Merchant Marine Academy- Emerson

Kevin Seo- United States Air Force Academy- Old Tappan

Gavin Peene- United States Air Force Academy- Ridgewood

Video of the event can be found HERE

Below: Gottheimer and his review board applaud the nominees and their families

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