Ciscomani Hosts Send Off Ceremony for U.S. Service Academy Appointees

May 14, 2025

‘You are the best of the best and the brightest of the bright’

TUCSON, AZ — U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani honored more than 20 students from across Arizona’s 6th Congressional District for achieving one of our country’s most prestigious academic honors: an appointment to a United States Service Academy.

“You are the best of the best and the brightest of the bright,” Ciscomani told the students Friday at a “send-off” reception he hosted to recognize their achievement. “We celebrate your success and take great comfort in knowing that you are our country’s next generation of military leaders.”

Each of the students received an appointment to a service academy from Ciscomani after competing in a rigorous and highly selective nomination process. Each student was interviewed by a members of selection board who then recommended their nomination to the congressman and were invited to apply for admission to a service academy. They then had to be accepted by a service academy.

“It’s easier to get into an Ivy League university than it is a service academy,” Ciscomani told the students.

Joining the students at the reception were their proud parents, the selection board and members of The Friday Pilots, a local group of retired military pilots who meet for lunch every Friday.

“We’re passing the torch from one generation of military leaders to the next,” Ciscomani said. “Our country is a land of liberty because of the bravery and sacrifice of people like The Friday Pilots. It will remain a land of liberty because of students like this.”

Each of the students received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a challenge coin from Ciscomani, as well as a challenge coin from The Friday Pilots. Additional photos of the event can be viewed here. 

“Nominating these outstanding high school students to one of our nation’s prestigious service academies is truly one of my greatest honors as a member of Congress,” said Ciscomani. “These young men and women represent the very best our community has to offer and have repeatedly demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, academic excellence and a heartfelt commitment to serving our great nation. Their patriotism and dedication are an inspiration, and I look forward to seeing all their great contributions as the next generation of military leaders.”

Ciscomani congratulates the following students for their appointments:

Aleksandria Gabbard, Marana High School, U.S. Naval Academy
Brodie Hendrick, Arizona State University Prep Digital and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy
Sonia Donkeng, Mica Mountain High School, U.S. Air Force Academy
Kyle Dowe, Catalina Foothills High School, U.S. Naval Academy
Jose Chafin, Walden Grove High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Nathan Poulton, Mountain View High School, U.S. Air Force Academy
Mason Rustand, Sabino High School, U.S. Military Academy
Hector Lepley, Tombstone High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Collin Skaret, Marana High School, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School
Conner Swigert, Home School, U.S. Air Force Academy
Andres Taylor, Marana High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Austin Thompson, Basis Oro Valley High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy
Luke Villareal, Mountain View High School, U.S. Naval Academy
Nathan Whitworth, Buena High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Gavin Yewell, Canyon Del Oro High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy
Gavin Dean, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, U.S. Military Academy
Emma Lindsey, Catalina Foothills High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy
Hayden Picton, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy
Isabella Gorkowski, Bishop Gorman High School, U.S. Naval Academy
Ethan Venghaus, Kwajalein High School U.S. Marshall Islands, U.S. Military Academy

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