Congressman Panetta Announces Central Coast Students Accepted to U.S. Service Academies
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), announced the names of students who have accepted appointments to our nation's service academies including the United States Military Academy Preparatory School.
"I am proud to announce another amazing group of young men and women who have been appointed to attend our nation's military service academies. They represent the best of California's 20th Congressional District. I congratulate them and look forward to seeing their success in their service to our nation," said Congressman Panetta.
U.S. Military Academy – West Point
- Tristen Laney – Tristen is a resident of Seaside and attended York School in Monterey. He received a presidential nomination. He ranked tenth in his class and earned a 4.2 GPA. Tristen also completed a STEM Summer Internship at the Naval Postgraduate School, the West Point Summer Leaders Experience, and the USNA Track and Field Summer Camp.
- Thomas Padilla – Thomas is a resident of Salinas and attended Palma High School in Salinas. He is graduating fourth in his class with a 4.5 GPA. He was team captain for both the cross-country and track & field teams, in addition to volunteering as an agricultural field worker and medical camp counselor. He completed the USNA Summer Seminar and the West Point Summer Leaders Experience.
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Andrew Brophy – Andrew is graduating from Carmel High with a 4.5 GPA. He was the Carmel High Student of the Year for the 2017-2018 academic year. He served as captain of the varsity wrestling and varsity water polo teams, and he has a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By attending USNA, Andrew Brophy will continue a family legacy of military service dating back to World War II.
- Alexander Khieu – Alexander is graduating from Salinas High with a 4.17 GPA. He participated in Boy Scouts and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. He was a member of the Salinas High Marching Band, Salinas High Concert Band, and the Monterey County All-Star Jazz Band. He also has a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do martial arts. Alexander follows in the footsteps of his family, as his Vietnamese grandfathers and relatives fought alongside U.S. servicemembers against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
- Daniel Pezzini – Daniel is a resident of Corralitos and graduated first in his class from Palma High School with a 4.67 GPA. Daniel received the Faculty Choice Award for Outstanding Scholarship and was a member of the varsity football and lacrosse teams. Daniel shared the source of his inspiration: his grandfather, an Italian immigrant, served in the U.S. military during WWII; his grandmother who served in the British Royal Navy; and his brother, who is becoming an Officer in the Marine Corps. Daniel wishes to continue his family's legacy of military service at USNA.
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- Jaden Clunie – Jaden is a Santa Cruz resident graduating from Soquel High School. He maintained straight A's in 5 AP classes while pursuing athletic and musical endeavors. He served as president of the running club, joined the cross-country and track teams, and played baseball for 11 years. He played in the symphonic band, varsity band, and jazz-A band throughout high school and worked as assistant manager at a deli during his junior and senior years.
- U.S. Military Academy Prep School
- Maya Ramnauth – Maya was selected by the United States Military Academy Admission's office to attend the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS). USMAPS serves to prepare cadets academically, physically, and militarily to reapply for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Maya is a resident of Seaside and attended Seaside High School. She was a member of her high school's National Honor Society, Black Student Association, and varsity soccer team. Maya also volunteers with the First Holy Communion at her Catholic Church.
Each year, Congressman Panetta may nominate up to ten individuals to each academy, including the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. Students seeking appointment to a service academy must first obtain the nomination of their U.S. Representative, their U.S. Senator, or the Vice President.
