[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 83 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 2022 UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMY-BOUND STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2022

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today it is my great honor to come before 
my colleagues to recognize the distinguished young men and women of 
Texas' Third Congressional District who have accepted an appointment to 
one of our prestigious United States Service Academies. I congratulate 
these patriots as they prepare to undertake a mission of service and 
wish them great success as they meet the challenges set before them.
  The United States Service Academies are widely known for seeking out 
candidates who excel academically, athletically, and civically, while 
exhibiting outstanding leadership qualities. Only a select few meet the 
stringent criteria set forth by these renowned institutions, and those 
students who ultimately receive an appointment benefit from the highest 
caliber of education and military officer training in the world. 
Therefore, I am confident these young leaders will represent Texas' 
Third Congressional District with honor as they are refined by the fire 
and pushed to the limits while they train to lead our Nation.
  The years will come with challenges as they are equipped with the 
necessary tools to defend our democracy. But in the end, these young 
men and women will carry forth the same torch as countless generations 
before them have done--embodying the qualities of service before self, 
sacrifice, purpose and a life lived on mission.
  It is with gratitude and hope that I thank these young men and women 
for their courage, conviction, and commitment to America. Now, as they 
embark on a new mission of service, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring them for their commitment to excellence and their defense of 
liberty.

                       Class of 2026 Appointments


                         U.S. Air Force Academy

       Samuel Adler, Townview Science and Engineering *
       Nicholas Blessing, Allen High School
       Sara Compton, Rock Hill High School
       Zion Martey, Memorial High School *
       Ryan Rojas, Rock Hill High School
       Samuel Wenaas, Liberty High School
       Robert ``Reese'' Woertink, Plano East Senior High School; 
     University of Texas at Dallas


                           U.S. Naval Academy

       Xavier Ayala, Centennial High School
       Matteo Bianchi, McKinney Boyd High School; Naval Academy 
     Preparatory School
       Tanner Call, McKinney High School *
       Alyssa Clemovitz, Trinity Christian Academy
       Valerie ``Milan'' Dao, John Paul II High School
       Jonah Johnson, Lebanon Trail High School; Naval Academy 
     Preparatory School
       Samuel Morgan, St. Mark's School of Texas; University of 
     Texas at Austin
       Clyde Sherpell, Coram Deo Academy


                         U.S. Military Academy

       Benjamin Cox, Independence High School
       Julian Delorme, Cistercian Preparatory School
       Cole Gifford, Homeschool
       Catriona Gilmore, Allen High School
       Madeline Graham, Melissa High School, Marion Military 
     Institute Canyon Hall, Wylie High School
       Preston Halvorson, Wylie High School
       Andrew Ho, Trinity Christian Academy; Texas A&M University
       Gikonyo Njendu, Plano West Senior High School
       Ethan Reinhardt, Heritage High School
       Michael Tallman, John Paul II High School


                      U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

       Parker Hutchins, Lovejoy High School
       *Denotes acceptance to one of the academy preparatory 
     schools

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