Delaware’s Finest Rise Among the Ranks

Washington, DC- Bringing Delaware’s finest one step closer to joining the ranks of America’s military officers, Senator Tom Carper announced today the names of his service academy nominees for 2003. Each year, members of the United States Congress are charged with nominating top candidates from their home state, ensuring the best and the brightest are considered for admission to the nation’s leading military academies. “This is where we accept responsibility for shaping the vision of America’s future. Among these outstanding candidates will emerge the future of our country,” Carper said. “These academies will develop the leaders for tomorrow and these young people will help our nation realize its vision. Their integrity, dignity and perspective are inspiring. I am proud to say they are amongst Delaware’s finest.” Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United State’s Air Force Academy in Colorado are: Logan Mears of Felton, Polytech High School; Timothy Osgood of Magnolia, Polytech High School; Colin Parks of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School; Ken Schmid of Magnolia, Caesar Rodney High School; Aaron Scott of Middletown, Red Lion Christian School; Tyler Streit of Newark, Newark High School; Charles Van Heest of Wilmington, Wilmington Charter School; David Dickinson of Wilmington, St. Marks High School; Richard Wittmeyer, of Newark, Newark High School; Jun Kostem of Wilmington, Concord High School and Valley Forge Military College; and Robert Snowberger, Wilmington, A.I. duPont High School. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis are: Jeffrey Cook, Jr., of Dagsboro, Indian River High School; Steven Baldino of Wilmington, Salesianum High School; Andrea Carey of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School; Ryan Ennis of Wilmington, McKean High School; Michael Hazeltine of Harrington, Lake Forest High School; Adam Jensen of Bear, St. Mark’s High School; Jun Kostem of Wilmington, Concord High School and Valley Forge Military College; Ian Morrison of Hockessin, McKean High School; Ian Nuno of Middletown, Caravel High School and Monrovia College; Robert Snowberger of Wilmington, A.I. duPont High School. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point are: Ryan Brock of Newark, Newark High School; Brian Carlson of Lincoln, Sussex Tech High School; Kristen Coar, Wyoming, St. Marks High School; David Dickinson of Wilmington, St. Marks High School; Stephen Hassink of Wilmington, Archmere High School; Richard Wittmeyer of Newark, Newark High School; Logan Mears of Felton, Polytech High School; Phillip McAtee of Bear, Caravel High School; Jeffrey Cook, Jr., of Dagsboro, Indian River High School; and Ian Morrison of Hockessin, McKean High School. Securing Senator Carper’s nomination to the United States Merchant Marine Academy are: Nicholas Geier of Dover, Salesianum High School; Phillip McAtee of Bear, Caravel Academy; Jesse Samluk of Wilmington, Salesanum and University of Delaware; Michael Smith of Wilmington, Wilmington Christian School; Tyler Streit of Newark, Newark High School; Logan Mears of Felton, Polytech High School; Charles Van Heest of Wilmington, Wilmington Charter School; Richard Wittmeyer of Newark, Newark High School; Jeffrey Cook, Jr. of Dagsboro, Indian River High School; Andrea Carey of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School; “The students who sought my nomination to the academies are top notch. Each should be commended for the leadership they’ve shown in their schools and communities. When I head down to Washington, I look to take the best with me- the best people, the best innovations, the best ideas. I am proud to send the names of these young people to the nation’s most competitive military academies. They represent Delaware’s best,” said Carper, a retired Navy captain who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Carper debated the merits of the possible candidates with his Service Academy Selection Committee. The group hails from the state’s three diverse counties and includes the perspectives of educators, officers, clergy and a health care professional. In addition to an interview and essay, service academy nominees were selected on the basis of their academic achievement, character, leadership, motivation and physical fitness. Carper selected his nominees using the “competitive method”, and each enters the next step of the admissions process with equal footing. Upon receipt of his recommendation for appointment, the nominees vie against each other within their academy of choice for selection. The academies are expected to finalize their list of candidates in mid to late spring. Those chosen for enrollment will become officers upon graduation.