LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) hosted a ceremony to nominate students from across the Third District to United States Service Academies. The event was held at Dracut’s Harvey J. Gagnon Harmony Hall.
“It’s one of my greatest honors and most serious responsibilities to nominate outstanding young men and women from our district to our nation’s service academies,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These students are driven by something bigger than themselves – by a desire to serve, to lead, and to contribute to the common good. Their commitment to country and community inspires hope for the future of our armed forces and our nation.”
This year, Trahan nominated students from across the Third District to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nominees include:
West Point:
- Savannah Liles, Littleton, Littleton High School
- Gavin Datta, Acton, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
- Harold Nerrow, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School, Villanova University
- Samuel Richenburg, Haverhill, St. John's Prep
- Tait O'Koniewski, Lawrence, Austin Preparatory School
- Hieu-Shawn Phan, Methuen, Northeastern University – Liberty Battalion Army ROTC
- Private First Class Pearl Kalungi, Lowell, United States Army
- Thomas Collins, Tyngsborough, Tyngsborough High School
- Raily Romano Hidalgo, Haverhill, Haverhill High School
Naval Academy:
- Thomas Livens, Carlisle, Lawrence Academy
- Lincoln Green, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
- Yazmin Jenkins, Lowell, Greater Lowell Technical High School
- John James Rubera, Haverhill, Haverhill High School
- Eliot Hong, Billerica, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
Air Force Academy:
- Charles Stone, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
- Darro Sieu, Billerica, Billerica Memorial High School
Merchant Marine Academy:
- Gunnar Lyons, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
The student nominees were interviewed and recommended by volunteer members of Trahan’s Service Academy Board, which is composed of academy alumni, veterans, and community leaders. Current board members include:
- Pat Wojtas: A United States Air Force veteran, Pat was the first woman in Massachusetts to be commissioned to the Air Force through the ROTC program at UMass Amherst. She is currently a member of the Chelmsford Select Board.
- Leanne Collazo: A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and West Point graduate, Suzanne was a UH-60 pilot and Battalion Commander.
- John Moses: A United States Army veteran, John has been an active member of the Afghan Evac community since the start of evacuation in August 2021. He is currently a member of the Chelmsford School Committee.
- Harold Naughton Jr.: A Major in the United States Army Reserve, Harold previously represented the 12th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
- David Cote: A United States Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David leads The Summit Project, a veteran-focused nonprofit that sustains the memories of post-September 11th servicemembers who were killed in action. In 2011, he was named the Military Times Marine of the Year.
- Paulette Joyce: A retired Westford teacher, Paulette advocates for veterans following the passing of her husband, United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Fred Joyce.
More information on the military service academy nomination process can be found HERE.
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