U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) held a special ceremony and reception on Monday, May 2, in Brighton to celebrate the nine future cadets and midshipmen from Michigan’s 8th district who have been appointed to U.S. service academies. Four of them will be headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, three to the U.S. Naval Academy, and two to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Each Congressional office is invited to nominate up to 10 candidates each year, per open vacancy at the U.S. military academies which include the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Air Force Academy. In collaboration with her Service Academy Advisory Panel, a review board made up of district veterans, Slotkin’s office reviewed candidates, and put forward the names of the top candidates to the U.S. service academies.
Surrounded by their families, friends, and school and community leaders, Rep. Slotkin encouraged the group to make the most of the moment and the opportunity.
“These outstanding young men and women are going to receive what I believe to be the finest leadership training in the world at the academies. They represent a new generation of leaders, and I urge them to focus on the values of uniting those they lead, and leading with character and purpose,” Slotkin said. “They have the opportunity to chart a new course for our country that rejects divisiveness and upholds the values of equality, dignity and respect for all.”
The nine outstanding young men and women who will be attending U.S. service academies in the fall are:
- RISTO CROUSE (U.S. Air Force Academy, Brighton High School, Livingston County)
- Thomas De La Fuente (U.S. Air Force Academy, Mason High School, Ingham County)
- Brendan Lewis (U.S. Naval Academy, Stoney Creek High School, Oakland County)
- JORDYN LIBLER (U.S. Naval Academy, Brighton High School, Livingston County)
- Jonah Richards (West Point, Lansing Catholic High School, Ingham County)
- Francis Roth (U.S. Air Force Academy, Notre Dame Preparatory School, Oakland County)
- CHRISTOPHER TAMER (West Point, Whitmore Lake, Livingston County)
- Zachary Yu (U.S. Naval Academy, Troy High School, Oakland County)
- Not pictured: Ryker Johnecheck (U.S. Air Force Academy, Williamston High School, Ingham County)
