Merrimack Valley News

LOWELL, MA – On April 25, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) hosted a ceremony to celebrate military service academy nominees and their families from across the Third District. The event, held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium’s Hall of Flags, included remarks from Trahan and Colonel Taona A. Enriquez, 66th Air Base Group and Hanscom Air Force Base installation commander. Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary, 66th Air Base Group and Hanscom AFB installation command chief, also attended the ceremony as a special guest.

“As the representative for the Third District, nominating our next generation of leaders to our nation’s prestigious service academies is one of my highest honors and most important responsibilities. I am confident that this year’s nominees have the leadership and dedication necessary to serve our nation admirably,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These young men and women have already demonstrated exemplary character, integrity, and courage in their schools and communities. Their unwavering commitment to our nation is nothing short of inspirational and deserving the gratitude of our district, our commonwealth, and our country. I could not be more proud to support them in their path towards serving our country.” 

“It was an honor to be invited by Congresswoman Trahan to be part of this special event and to help recognize this impressive group of students as they look to launch a new personal and professional pathway in government service,” Enriquez said. “The Air Force and our sister services are always seeking to accelerate change and embrace innovation. We need bright minds and strong leaders to help us achieve our goals, and there is no doubt I am looking at a group of just that. I’m excited to see so many brilliant young people interested in serving our great nation."

This year, Trahan nominated 25 students from across the Third District to the United States Military Academy West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The student nominees were interviewed and recommended by volunteer members of Trahan’s Service Academy Board, composed of academy alumni, veterans, and community leaders.

The student nominees included:

West Point: 

• Adrien Lam - West Point Preparatory School
• Michael Daly – Lunenburg, Lunenburg High School
• Lars Jansson – Tyngsboro, University of Massachusetts, Lowell - Francis College of Engineering 
• Anthony Petracca – Lancaster, Trivium School

Naval Academy: 

• Fiona Cullen – Andover,  Austin Preparatory School
• Edward Finley – Pepperell,  North Middlesex Regional High School
• Dustin Fournier – Pepperell, North Middlesex Regional High School
• Owen Gerow – Lunenburg, Lunenburg High School 
• Jackson Hayden – Westminster, The Winchendon School
• Aiden McLaughlin – Acton, Acton Boxborough Regional High School
• Keith Tomao – Clinton, Ayer High School
• Ryan Vaughn – Concord, University of South Carolina

Air Force Academy:

• Zachary Aster – Fitchburg, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Joshua Cordio – Lancaster
• Elizabeth Fitzgerald – Concord
• Elizabeth Hughes – Dracut, Greater Lowell Technical High School
• Christian Karle – Carlisle, Concord Carlisle High School
• Keira Lonadier – Concord, Concord Carlisle High School
• Kaiden Man - Lowell,  Lowell High School
• Bryan Weidmann – Lunenburg,  The Winchendon School

Merchant Marine Academy Nominees:

• Robert Baum – South Hamilton, Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
• Charles Smith – Andover, St. John’s Preparatory School
• Cooper Reed - Longmeadow, Valley Forge Military Academy

Multiple Nominations:

• Sophie Russell – North Chelmsford, Chelmsford High School - West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force
• Aidan Peterson – Westford, Westford Academy - Naval Academy, Air Force

More information on the military service academy nomination process can be found HERE.

Original source can be found here.