[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 22, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3049-S3050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO UTAH'S SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTEES

  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, it is that time of year where I am privileged 
to recognize exceptional young men and women from the great State of 
Utah who have answered the call to serve by applying to the U.S. Air 
Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military 
Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. It is one of my greatest honors to 
recognize these fine Utahns in the U.S. Senate.
  Under title 10 of the U.S. Code, each year, Members of Congress are 
authorized to nominate a number of young men and women from their 
district or State to attend the country's service academies. Each of 
these students is of sound mind and body. This will serve them well in 
Colorado Springs, Kings Point, West Point, and Annapolis, but to 
succeed, they will need more than this.
  The journey on which these young men and women will soon embark 
requires more than mental and physical aptitude. It also demands strong 
moral character: leadership, courage, honesty, prudence, and self-
discipline. It calls for a commitment to service and a love of country. 
Ultimately, it provides a chance for some of Utah's finest to stand up 
for our country.
  Today, I would like to congratulate each of these impressive 
students, all of whom embody, in their own unique way, the standards of 
excellence upon which America's service academies are built.
  Carson James Angeroth will be attending the U.S. Merchant Marine 
Academy after graduating from Cottonwood High School, where he was part 
of the State champion baseball team. He served as a church camp 
counselor for 3 years and served his neighbors by helping them clean 
and renovate their homes. As a leader in the youth organization through 
his church, he is as an example for his peers. He is often found 
outdoors hiking, biking, and skiing.
  Jackson Thomas DuPaix accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval 
Academy. He earned his diploma a year early from Rockbridge County High 
School and has been attending Southern Virginia University. An Eagle 
Scout from Riverton, UT, he was part of his high school's drone club 
and lacrosse team. He served as president of his church youth group and 
stayed active in his community by helping with home renovations, city 
landscaping projects, and putting together Christmas boxes of food and 
toys.
  Cassidy Ann Eiting is following in her father's footsteps and 
attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. After graduating from South 
Summit High School, she attended the Northwestern Preparatory School. 
She was a leader in high school as the student body vice president, 
captain of both her swimming and soccer teams, and a member of the two-
time State champion softball team. Inspired by her mother, a 
commissioned Air Force officer, she stayed active in her school and 
community as a member of the MiteE Team, Interact Club, and National 
Honor Society.
  Jacob Joseph Frederick, the student body president of Skyline High 
School, will follow his father to the U.S. Military Academy at West 
Point. He attended Boys State and earned his Eagle Scout Award, while 
being active on the basketball and lacrosse teams. Building his 
leadership skills, Jacob served as first chair trumpet for the concert 
band and jazz band, coach of a youth basketball team, and as a summer 
camp counselor. He worked on projects benefiting veterans at the Fisher 
House in Salt Lake City.
  Christina Gillespie accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force 
Academy, joining a long family tradition of Air Force service. She 
graduated from Clearfield High School where she maintained a 4.0 GPA 
and captained the swimming team, earning the MVP title twice. She 
served as president of her church youth group and as the student body 
officer over service, where her school raised $50,000 for local 
charities. A member of the school choir, Christina is also a member of 
the Oratorio Society of Utah, a nondenominational choral organization.
  Enoch Austin Horning, a member of the Utah Army National Guard, will 
be continuing his service at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point 
after having attended the Military Academy's preparatory school. He 
served as the student body president of the Utah Military Academy, 
where he was captain of the Ranger Team. Enoch was awarded the JROTC 
Cadet of the Year Award, earned his Eagle Scout Award, and attended 
Boys State. He served in the Civil Air Patrol, as president of the 
Strategic Gaming Club, and as a member of the Cyber Patriots.
  Camryn Lynlee Karras, from Weber High School, accepted an appointment 
to the U.S. Air Force Academy. An outstanding soccer player, Camryn 
captained both her high school team and her national league club team. 
She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Robotics Club, and 
Health Occupations Students of America--HOSA. Each year at 
Christmastime, she looks forward to providing gifts and breakfast to 
the Boys and Girls Club in her community.
  Spencer Burnett Knudsen will be joining a family history of Army 
service when he attends the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is 
already building his leadership credentials as the student body 
president of Monticello High School, captain of the basketball team, 
and head lifeguard for the city of Monticello. Spencer is a member of 
the National Honor Society, the Future Business Leaders of America--
FBLA--and serves his community as a volunteer EMT with San Juan County.
  Karsten Korb Matosich will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point after graduating from Bingham High School. An Eagle Scout, 
Karsten serves his community as an organist for his church and at local 
retirement homes, winterizing homes on the Pine Ridge Indian 
Reservation, and coordinating the assembly and donation of hundreds of 
oral hygiene kits. He served as cocaptain of his debate team and played 
in the Bingham Symphony.
  Levi Daniel Montoya will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point. As a graduate of Juan Diego Catholic High School, Levi 
stayed busy as the team captain of both his high school and club 
lacrosse teams. A member of the National Honor Society, he also was a 
member of the Key Club, Pre-med Club, and the Boy Scouts. Levi was 
inspired to attend West Point by his father and grandfather, both Army 
soldiers, who told the stories of his great-grandfather, Army Medic 
Albert Montoya, who served valiantly on the beaches of Normandy on June 
6, 1944.
  Samuel Austin Nafus, who was offered multiple academy appointments, 
has chosen to follow his brother to the U.S. Naval Academy. A member of 
the State champion academic olympiad team for Bountiful High School, 
Sam also participated in DECA, debate, and Model UN. He maintained a 
4.0 GPA while being active in his community as a lector for Saint Olaf 
Catholic Church,

[[Page S3050]]

attending Boys State, and earning his Eagle Scout Award. Sam received 
varsity letters for both football and track.
  Jaxon Jefferson Porter will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point after having served for 2 years as a missionary for the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Armenia. Jaxon graduated 
from Weber High School in 2016, where he challenged himself by taking a 
difficult course load of AP classes. He served his community through 
projects with the Boy Scouts and with the Bates Elementary School 
library. Jaxon has been recognized as being goal oriented, which will 
serve him well as he enters the academy.
  Alma Helaman Redd comes from a military family. His father and all of 
his brothers have served in the military, including an Air Force 
Academy graduate and a graduate of West Point. Alma is following their 
examples and attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He 
graduated from the American Heritage School and is currently attending 
Utah Valley University after service as missionary for the Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is an Eagle Scout and a fan of 
ultimate frisbee. He attended Boys State and was a member of the 
yearbook staff, National Honor Society, and the honors band and honors 
choir.
  Gabriel Rosa, a graduate of Skyline High School, has accepted an 
appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. A leader in the making, Gabriel 
served as a captain and squadron commander in the Civil Air Patrol and 
as the chairman of the Utah Wing Cadet Advisory Council. He captained 
his ice hockey team, served as president of the Future Business Leaders 
of America--FBLA--and as the State party chairman at Boys State. 
Gabriel is a nationally qualified fencer in men's saber.
  Ethan James Schofield will be entering the U.S. Air Force Academy 
after having served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints in Indonesia. A graduate of Lone Peak High School, 
Ethan stayed active in sports and served as the captain of the football 
team and as a member of the lacrosse and track and field teams. He 
earned his Eagle Scout Award with a project for the city of American 
Fork, where his team ran a tree inventory. He is an avid mountain biker 
and downhill skier.
  Matthew Walker Schvaneveldt will again join the cadets of the U.S. 
Military Academy after having served in the Japan Sapporo Mission with 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Matthew graduated from 
the Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science, NUAMES, 
where he was president of the National Honor Society. He earned his 
Eagle Scout Award, attended Boys State, and was honored with the 
Volunteer of the Year Award from McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT.
  Trevor Dean Smiley is returning to the U.S. Air Force Academy 
following 2 years of missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ 
of Latter-day Saints in the Australia Brisbane Mission. Trevor played 
varsity baseball and football for Corner Canyon High School. He earned 
his Eagle Scout Award and spent time in Taiwan with the TIYEA 
leadership camp where he taught English to children.
  David Sperry White is returning to the U.S. Military Academy at West 
Point after serving 2 years speaking Korean as a missionary for the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Korea Seoul Mission. 
A proud graduate and former student body president of Uintah High 
School in Vernal, UT, David is an Eagle Scout and published author. He 
attended Boys State and was president of the service club, Vernal Youth 
in Action.
  Michael Ammon Wintercorn has been attending Brigham Young University 
while preparing himself to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated 
from Jordan High School, where he ran for both the cross-country and 
track and field teams. Michael, an Eagle Scout, served on the Sandy 
Youth City Council and as president of his church youth group. He spent 
2 years speaking Japanese as a missionary for the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fukuoka Japan Mission. A member of 
the National Honor Society, Michael also played trumpet for the 
symphonic band and for a local elderly care center.
  Miles Stanley Zembruski is following in the footsteps of the many 
NASA astronauts he has long admired and accepted an appointment to the 
U.S. Naval Academy. A graduate of West High School, where he 
participated in the Navy JROTC and the Civil Air Patrol, Miles was a 
member of the Model Rocketry Club, the National Honor Society, and the 
cross-country team. He founded an independent philosophy/literature 
publication and a volunteer community service organization, all while 
maintaining a rigorous academic schedule of AP and IB classes.
  It has been inspiring to nominate each of these exemplary young men 
and women. Doing so has given me an unshakeable confidence in the 
future of this great Nation and future of our Armed Services.
  To these 20 students and to all their future classmates from around 
the country, do not forget: This is but the beginning of your journey.
  You would not have arrived at this point were it not for your hard 
work and sacrifice and for the service and example your parents, 
family, teachers, coaches, and mentors. What matters most now is not 
your past accomplishments, but what you will achieve in the future.
  Thank you.

                          ____________________