Seventeen New Castle County Students Move One Step Closer to Joining the Ranks of America’s Military Elite

RADIO ACTUALITY AVAILABLE 202- 226-5654 Box # 1402 Wilmington, DE- Seventeen New Castle County students are one step closer today to joining the ranks of America’s military officers, after gaining Senator Tom Carper’s recommendation to the nation’s service academies. 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. “The parents and the teachers of the New Castle nominees should be commended. 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. The integrity, dignity and perspective of these candidates are inspiring. I am proud to say they are amongst Delaware’s finest.” The New Castle County students securing Senator Carper’s nominations are: Scott Aaron of Middletown, Red Lion Christian High School- United States Air Force Academy Tyler C. Streit of Newark, Newark High School- United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy Charles Vanheest of Wilmington, Wilmington Charter High School- United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy Ryan Brock of Newark, Newark High School- United States Military Academy David Dickinson of Wilmington, St. Marks High School- United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy Stephen Hassink of Wilmington, Archmere Academy- United States Military Academy Richard Wittmeyer of Newark, Newark High School- United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy Philip McAtee of Bear, Caravel High School- United States Merchant Marine Academy, United States Military Academy Jessee Samluk of Salesianum High School and the University of Delaware- United States Merchant Marine Academy Michael Smith of Wilmington, Wilmington Christian High School- United States Merchant Marine Academy Stephen Baldino of Wilmington, Salesianum High School- United States Naval Academy Ryan Ennis of Wilmington, McKean High School – United States Naval Academy Adam Jensen of Bear, St. Marks High School- United States Naval Academy Jun Kostem of Wilmington, Concord High School and Valley Forge Military College- United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy Ian Morrison of Hockessin, McKean High School- United States Naval Academy and United States Military Academy Ian Nuno of Middletown, Caravel High School and Monrovia College- United States Naval Academy Robert Snowberger of Wilmington, A.I. Dupont High School- United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy “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. 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, nominees from across the state 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.