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Congressman Byron Donalds Announces 2023 U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Washington, December 13, 2023

WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) released the following statement following his nomination of seventeen Southwest Florida students for attendance at our nation's service academies:

"Over the past three years, our world has erupted into conflict. Now more than ever, it is critical that the ranks of America's armed forces are composed of the most talented and skilled candidates our nation has to offer. I am proud to nominate each of these seventeen outstanding Southwest Florida residents to America's service academies, and I am confident that this year's class of nominees will admirably represent our community, our state and our nation in all that the future holds for them."

The 2023 class of Southwest Florida students nominated by Congressman Donalds are as follows:

  • Gabriella Alvarez (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy.
  • Matthew Bennett (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Adam Blais (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Julian Bevilard (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Mason Ceccarelli (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy. – Robert D'Angelo (USAF Academy, CO) has been nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Kenzo Desiderio (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Briana Elizondo-Gutierrez (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Dominic Failla (Cape Coral, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Michaela Fischer (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Samuel Harvey (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Jack Janeway (Cape Coral, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy.
  • Sloane Janopoulos (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Braden Johnson (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy.
  • Isabel Liu (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.
  • James Spencer (Fort Myers, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.
  • Jameson Stauffer (Naples, FL) has been nominated for the U.S. Military Academy.

Background:

Students from Southwest Florida and across our nation seeking to attend one of America's Service Academies must first apply through their local U.S. Congressman, their U.S. Senator, the Vice President, or the President of the United States.

Students may apply for nomination to: (1) The U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; (2) The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; (3) The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; (4) The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, NY.

Each December, Congressman Donalds works with his Academy Nominations Advisory Board to interview and nominate outstanding students from across Florida's 19th Congressional District for an appointment to one of these service academies.

Once Congressional nominations are confirmed, the service academy will review the nominated candidate to determine admission.