RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Fifth District Service Academy Ceremony, Celebrates Accepted Students

Above: Gottheimer celebrates North Jersey Students Accepted to U.S. Service Academies

CRESSKILL, NJ — Today, June 13, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a ceremony at the Cresskill American Legion Post 21 to celebrate the thirty-five Fifth District high school students he nominated and who were accepted to one of four U.S. service academies this year: the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Video of the event can be found here.

Gottheimer selected the students through the counsel of his Service Academy Selection Committee, comprised of local leaders, service academy alumni, and veterans who have served in different branches of the armed forces. Gottheimer and the Committee evaluated applicants based on academics, leadership, character, and a demonstrated commitment to service.

“At such a young age, these future leaders have already shown a tremendous commitment to serving our country. Their acceptance to one of our five prestigious military academies is a recognition of their excellence in the classroom, in our community, and their sense of duty to our country,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Each year, I’m blown away by everything they do — from athletics to academics to community service. Our NJ-5 district leads the nation in West Point appointments for the Class of 2030 — for the second year in a row! That is a testament to your families, our communities, our Jersey Values, and to the incredible students themselves.”

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfield, Midland Park Councilman Keith DeBlasio, Oradell Councilwoman Maggie Harrer, and Fifth District students and their families.

The full list of students nominated by Gottheimer and accepted to attend one of the renowned service academies is below:

U.S. Military Academy Accepted Nominations:

• Kathleen Brancato of Oradell
• Zion Cheon of Norwood
• Grant Choi of Englewood Cliffs
• Sophia Dalton of River Vale
• Ryle Gibello of Englewood
• Anthony Greco of Westwood
• Grant Kang of Fort Lee
• Abigail Kim of River Edge
• Grace Kim of Ridgewood
• Hannah Kim of Haworth
• Hyeonggeon Kim of Old Tappan
• Justin Kim of Palisades Park
• Howard Lee of Norwood
• Skye Lee of Haworth
• Sofia Lee of Paramus
• Sol Lee of Cresskill
• Jacob Nestory of Montvale
• Jeffrey Park of River Edge
• Charles Shaddow of Ridgewood
• Rena Shim of Leonia
• Owen Stecker of Ho-Ho-Kus
• Noel Yoo of Ridgefield Park

U.S. Naval Academy Accepted Nominations:

• Yoonso Eric Hwang of Demarest
• Nicholas Konopka of Hackensack
• Anselm Park of Hillsdale
• Izabela Samu of Glen Rock
• Yegyeom Seo of Fort Lee

U.S. Air Force Academy Accepted Nominations:

• Caleb Park of Demarest
• Makenna Wolmer of Tenafly

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Accepted Nominations:

• Owen Alway of Ringwood
• Andrew Coyne of Harrington Park
• Johnathan Frey of Medford
• John Lanari of Township of Washington
• Emma Price of Jobstown
• Madison Ver Hage of Paramus
• Ethan Wagner of Chatham

Below: Gottheimer with this year’s Fifth District students accepted into U.S. service academies.

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