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Newhouse Congratulates Six Central Washington Students Appointed to U.S. Service Academies

May 22, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced that six students across Central Washington have received appointments to attend U.S. service academies. The appointments followed Rep. Newhouse's nominations for each appointee. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

"I applaud the decision of these young people, who have been selected for their demonstrated leadership and excellent academic performance, to attend our nation's finest military academies," said Rep. Newhouse. "They truly represent the best of Central Washington, and I wish them well as they embark on the path not only of personal success, but service to our nation."

U.S. Military Academy at West Point Appointments

Margaret Ballew of Selah

Margaret is a senior of Selah High School and the daughter of Donald and Kristin Ballew.

Curtis Clute of Prosser

Curtis is a senior of Prosser Senior High School and the son of Mitchell Clute and Susanna Pennington.

Daniela Mendoza of West Richland

Daniela is a senior of Hanford High School and the daughter of Rodolfo Mendoza and Marisela Linares-Mendoza.

Clayton Porcaro of Richland

Clayton is a graduate of Hanford High School and the son of Paul and Melissa Porcaro.

U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment

Luke Gorham of Kennewick

Luke is a homeschooled high school senior and the son of Aaron and Karen Gorham.

U.S. Naval Academy Appointment

Adam Weissenfels of Richland

Adam is a senior of Richland High School and the son of Bob and Kelly Wiessenfels.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

For more information or to obtain an application packet for next year's nominations, click here or contact Rep. Newhouse's Tri-Cities office at 3100 George Washington Way #135 Richland, (509) 713-7374.