Sorensen Nominates Five Illinois Students for Service Academies
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced that he has nominated five students from Central and Northwestern Illinois for admission to the United States Service Academies for the class entering the fall of 2024. The nominated students are:
United States Military Academy:
John Nienhaus- Moline High School, Moline, IL
United States Naval Academy:
Sean Conner Beckford - Auburn High School, Rockford, IL
Mason Caltagerone- Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford, IL
Patrick Conklin – W.T Woodson High School, Canton, IL
Arthur Horn – River Ridge High School, Freeport, IL
United States Air Force Academy:
Mason Caltagerone – Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford, IL
Patrick Conklin – W.T Woodson High School, Canton, IL
Arthur Horn – River Ridge High School, Freeport, IL
John Nienhaus- Moline High School, Moline, IL
“One of the greatest honors I have as a member of Congress is highlighting the talented young people that live throughout our communities in Central and Northwestern Illinois,” said Sorensen. “Being nominated to a U.S Service Academy is not an easy thing to accomplish, and I am proud of this year’s nominees for their willingness to serve and keep their neighbors and our country safe. Best of luck to all our nominees as they go through the appointment process and congratulations on this incredible achievement.”
“I am truly honored to have received a nomination and then an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy,” said Mason Caltagerone of Boylan Catholic High School. “I am very thankful for my family who helped get me here and the government for the amazing opportunity.”
“I'm feeling accomplished and excited about finding my passion and building lasting friendships in the military,” said Sean Beckford of Auburn High School. “I want to serve my country to give back for the opportunities it's provided me, and to carry on my family's legacy. I owe a lot to my JROTC instructors and mentors who have supported me, as well as to my mom, who's always been there for me, pushing me to do my best. And I'm thankful to my local congressman for nominating me for an appointment to the US Naval Academy. All of this fuels my determination to serve with pride and honor.”
“Being blessed with the opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy is something I have been wanting for months now, and my dream came true,” said John Nienhaus of Moline High School. “I cannot give enough thanks to my family, friends, and my counselors for guiding me. I also want to give thanks to Congressman Sorensen and his office, for this opportunity would not have been possible without their support either.”
"I would like to thank my family and friends who got me to the place I am now,” said Patrick Conklin of W.T Woodson High School. “I was honored to receive a nomination from Congressman Sorensen, and I look forward to attending the United States Naval Academy."
“Nothing is impossible,” said Arthur Horn of River Ridge High School.
As a member of Congress, Sorensen has the honor of nominating qualified students from Illinois 17th Congressional District for attendance at four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Nominees must now be accepted by the academies to gain admittance.
Information on the nomination process can be found on Sorensen’s website here.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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