McCarthy Announces Military Academy Nominations to Local Students

Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy is pleased to announce his nominations to the United States Service Academies. Nominees were selected in a competitive process in which a number of highly qualified 22nd Congressional District high school and college students applied for consideration. Congressman McCarthy designated four principal nominees for each academy that will fill one of five slots afforded to him as a Member of Congress. He also nominated a slate of nine competing alternate nominations for each academy that will be ranked according to their competitiveness by the Academy Admission Board and selected for admission at the academy's discretion.

"I am proud to nominate students from our District who display the core values of honor and courage in their commitment to serve our country," said Congressman McCarthy. "I congratulate each of them in their pursuit of becoming future leaders in our Armed Services."

Each candidate was interviewed by Congressman McCarthy's Academy Interview Committee and the selections were submitted to the Congressman. The 2010 Academy Committee Members are: Monique Rogers of Bakersfield, Corporate Administration and Marketing Director, AARC Technologies in Bakersfield; Kathleen McNamara of Paso Robles, Superintendent, Paso Robles Public Schools; Major Glenn Rineheart of Palmdale, KC-X Test Director, AFOREC Detachment 5, Mobility Division (MTO) Edwards AFB, 1996 United States Air Force Academy graduate; and Richard Beene of Bakersfield, President and CEO, The Bakersfield Californian.

The following students received a principal nomination from Congressman McCarthy:

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

• Courtney Bishop, 17, of Edwards, California, attends Desert High School. She is ASB Vice-President, Lt. Colonel and Group Commander of JROTC at Desert High School and a two-sport athlete in Softball and Volleyball. She is considering aeronautical or mechanical engineering as a major at the academy and wants to serve as a pilot or aviator.

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

• Spencer Marsh, 18, of Paso Robles, CA, attends Paso Robles High School. Spencer will be entering his 4th Season as a Pole Vaulter for the Bearcats Track and Field Team. He is active in church leadership and is an assistant coach for a junior high basketball team. He is interested in Engineering and Aviation. In addition to receiving the principal nomination to the United States Naval Academy, Spencer received a competing alternate nomination to the United States Air Force Academy.

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

• Mark Van Kopp, 18, of Bakersfield, attends Bakersfield High School. He is a two-sport athlete in Swimming and Football, where he served as Football Team Captain. Mark was honored as the Most Outstanding Judicial Official during Boys State and also selected as a HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) Ambassador from BHS. Mark wants to double major in History and English at the academy and is excited to follow in the footsteps of his brother, 2nd Lt. Samuel Van Kopp, a 2010 graduate of the United States Military Academy.

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

• Travis Farewell, 17, of Tehachapi, California, attends Tehachapi High School. He is a three-sport athlete in Baseball, Swimming and Football. He was a Hometown Sports finalist for Special Teams Player of the Year for his position as a kicker for the Warrior Varsity Football Team. He is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and was selected for Boys State.

The following students received competing alternate nominations from Congressman McCarthy:

United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)

William Beechinor, Frontier High School, Bakersfield
David Dawson, Home School, Bakersfield
Trent Gardner, Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi
Baylee Grier, Quartz Hill High School, Lancaster
Briahna Howells, Home School, Tehachapi
Spencer Marsh, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles
Robert "Scott" Marx, Stockdale High School, Bakersfield
Nicholas Nowland, Randolph AFB High School, Texas
Erich Steinbrunner, Nipomo High School, Nipomo

United States Military Academy (USMA)

Jorge Mazun Casares, United States Military Preparatory Academy, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey
Joost "Luke" DeMoes, Liberty High School, Bakersfield
Joel Garcia, Bakersfield Christian High, Bakersfield
Jesse Horne, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles
Jordan Lewis, Liberty High School, Bakersfield
Jacob Reed, Bakersfield College, Bakersfield
Nicolas Rodriguez, Frontier High School, Bakersfield
Jacob Rogers, North High School, Bakersfield

United States Naval Academy (USNA)

Stephen Burke, Stockdale High School, Bakersfield
Kristen Ewert, Centennial High School, Bakersfield
Bryce Keene, Stockdale High School, Bakersfield
Baylee Grier, Quartz Hill High School, Lancaster
George Hernandez, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles
Brooklyn Lazarony, Quartz Hill High School, Lancaster
Wesley Rathwick, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles
Jacob Rogers, North High School, Bakersfield
Jacquelyne Studer, Liberty High School, Bakersfield

United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)

Trent Gardner, Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi
Baylee Grier, Quartz Hill High School, Lancaster
George Hernandez, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles
Nicholas Nowland, Randolph AFB High School, TX
Jacquelyne Studer, Liberty High School, Bakersfield
Kevin Wagner, Paraclete High School, Lancaster
Andrew Walsten, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest

Special Recognition:

John Paul Conrad Wiemann, 17, of Advanced Christian Schools in Atascadero, California, has received a Presidential Nomination to both the United States Naval and Air Force Academies. He has received offers of appointment to both academies. While an unlimited number of nominations are available in this category, only 100 appointments can be offered each year.