PALLONE RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT SPRING AWARDS RECEPTION

Service Academy Nominees
May 2, 2018
Press Release

New Brunswick, NJ --- Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced the recipients of the prestigious Congressional Award, this year's U.S. Service Academy nominees and the winners of the 2018 Sixth Congressional District High School Arts Competition at a Congressional Awards Ceremony. Students representing several local high schools were honored at the reception, held at Rutgers University. In addition, distinguished guests discussed the importance of the fields recognized.

William Salcedo, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties spoke about the value of community service and volunteerism and the benefits it has on the entire community.

Brigadier General Edward Chrystal, Jr., Land Component Commander, New Jersey Army National Guard, spoke about the value of military service and commitment to serving our great nation.

Thomas Sokolowski, Director of the Zimmerli Museum, spoke about the role of the arts in education and the benefits of encouraging young artists.

Pallone honored the 2018 recipients of the Congressional Award. Created by his predecessor, the late U.S. Rep. Jim Howard, the Congressional Award recognizes the initiative, achievement and volunteer services of young people. The recipients are listed below:

Bronze Congressional Award Recipient:

  • Alyssa Grieco of Long Branch High School

Gold Congressional Award Recipients:

  • Alexandra Hsueh of Marlboro High School

The New Jersey Congressman also honored the twenty nine (29) candidates he nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. Pallone congratulated each for their dedication and wished them all luck in their future endeavors.

The nominees are as follows:

U.S. Air Force Academy

  • Jessica Carvalho of Woodbridge High School
  • Caelan Johnson of Metuchen High School
  • Kevyn Martinez of St. Joseph High School
  • Alyssa Naused of U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School
  • Matthew Sternesky of Colonia High School
  • Agustin Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School
  • Cristian Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School
  • Mehr Tamboly of John P. Stevens High School

U.S. Naval Academy

  • Nicolas Bahier of Kent High School
  • Catherine Brown of Matawan Regional High School
  • Roy Brown of Woodbridge High School
  • Derek Gordon, Jr. of High Technology High School
  • Riley Guerrera of Christian Brothers Academy
  • Tajira P. Harmon of John P. Stevens High School
  • Grace Huegel of Colts Neck High School
  • Alex Kern of Middletown High School North
  • Matthew Landis of Highland Park High School
  • Anthony LeSaux of St. Joseph High School

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

  • Benjamin Daniels of Edison High School
  • Michael Flynn of Marine Academy for Science & Technology
  • Jack Hardzewicz of Middletown High School South
  • Evyatar Kanik of Ma'Or Yeshiva High School for Boys
  • Jason Kauffman of Colts Neck High School
  • John Piccinic of Colonia High School
  • Shelby Piccinic of Colonia High School
  • Nicholas RochaKim of Marlboro High School
  • Cristian Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School
  • Mehr Tamboly of John P. Stevens High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

  • Allison Aitken of Monroe Township High School
  • Austin Aitken of Monroe Township High School
  • Dominick Esposito of Brookdale Community College
  • Matthew Sternesky of Colonia High School

"The value of military service to our nation cannot be overstated and I am honored by the commitment that these nominees to America's top service academies have shown to serving their nation," said Congressman Pallone. "New Jersey's 6th Congressional District is home to so many bright and qualified students, and I'm proud to announce the nominees today who showed through the application process outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements, leadership and motivation in serving our country. I take these nominations very seriously because our nation's service academies are some of the highest caliber institutions committed to graduating leaders of character, honor and integrity. I wish all of the nominees the very best of luck in the future and thank them for their willingness to serve."

Young artists from various schools in Middlesex and Monmouth counties participated in this year's art competition, which is part of the nationwide program known as "An Artistic Discovery." Local judges chose first, second and third place winners, and also awarded 15 honorable mentions. The first place winner, Imani Sylvain, will have her artwork displayed for the next year in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Pallone with the Art Competition winner and her grandfather

Congressional Art Competition Finalists:

First Place: Imani Sylvain of Piscataway High School

Second Place: Savannah Cook of Piscataway High School

Third Place: Kathleen Hammerdahl of Piscataway High School

Honorable Mentions:

  • Rebecca de Araujo of Edison High School
  • Kevin Ge of John P. Stevens High School
  • Julia Grivas of Matawan Regional High School
  • Avia Hurley of Piscataway High School
  • Odaliza Jerez of Perth Amboy High School
  • Michelle Lipnitsky of Matawan Regional High School
  • Leslie Luna of Perth Amboy High School
  • Azfiha Nayab of Piscataway High School
  • Cristina Rodriguez of Perth Amboy High School
  • Daisy Saavedra of Edison High School
  • Marianna Serghis of Henry Hudson Regional High School
  • Veronica Thiel of Keyport High School
  • Sara Venturi of Piscataway High School
  • Mia Walker of Matawan Regional High School
  • Yihan Wu of High Technology High School\

"I have long believed that Congress should play a major role in encouraging the arts," Pallone said. "This competition provides a forum to help the aspiring young artists of our area gain recognition and exposure. Young artists can gain confidence in themselves and their abilities by displaying their work and having it evaluated by knowledgeable judges."

Issues:New Jersey