photo Lillian Williams (?), Ridgewood High School courtesy of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Jersey City NJ, earlier this week, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) held a celebration honoring 18 bright, young New Jerseyans, who he nominated and were all accepted this year into the four U.S. service academies. The nominees were joined by their family, friends, and the academy screeners who recommended them for nominations. The ceremony took place in the senator’s Jersey City office.
“I am so fortunate to have met these extraordinary young New Jerseyans, and I commend their willingness to serve our country,” said Sen. Menendez. “Our nation’s service academies accept only the best and brightest of this generation and transform them into future leaders of the armed forces that protect and preserve our nation and its freedoms. They represent the best of New Jersey and will demonstrate that in their future endeavors.”
Sen. Menendez’s nominees for the service academies were chosen for their excellent academic records, leadership potential, dedication to community service and strong character, among other criteria:
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
- Alissa Eisenhart: East Windsor, Hightstown High School
- Dylan Ferraro: Westfield, Westfield High School
- Chetan Joshi: East Windsor, Heightstown High School
- Joaquin Kull: Ramsey, Ramsey High School
- Jack Latore: Middletown, Middletown High School South
- Leonardo Rostello: Wayne, Wayne Hills High School
U.S. Naval Academy
- Ruben Gonzalo: Union City, Jose Marti Stem Academy
- Sean Mills: Lawrenceville, Lawrence High School
- Giovanni Rivera: Morristown, Morristown High School
- Andrew Ross: Morris Plains, Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn.
- Michael Sarlo: Wood-Ridge, Wood-Ridge High School
- Robert Trafford: West Caldwell, James Caldwell High School
- Lillian Williams: Ridgewood, Ridgewood High School
U.S. Air Force Academy
- James Conway: Middletown, Middletown High School North
- Katarina Zikas: Fanwood, Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Karianna Eagle: Little Egg Harbor Township, Pinelands Regional High School
- Casey Symons: Harrington Park, Northern Valley Regional High School