TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced 16 Tampa Bay area students who received nominations for admission into America’s prestigious service academies: Air Force Academy (USAFA), Naval Academy (USNA), Military Academy (USMA) and the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The outstanding student leaders hail from more than ten local high schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

“These talented students are America’s future leaders. Their interest in serving our country is a point of pride for our patriotic Tampa Bay community,” said Rep. Castor. “I’m grateful for the service of my Nomination Committee, which thoroughly reviews every application and interviews interested students. I am confident that this year's nominees will represent the Tampa Bay Area and our nation well.”

Photos of the nominees can be found here.

Receiving a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies is an essential step towards receiving an appointment to the academies. Nominations are earned based on each student’s interview with Castor’s Nomination Committee, their academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities. Because of the stringent application requirements, many students begin preparing for the application process as early as their first year of high school.

Under federal law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require either a service-connected nomination or a congressional nomination (from a member of Congress in either the U.S. House or Senate or the Vice President of the United States). Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors. You can learn more here: Service Academy Nominations | U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (house.gov).

Castor will announce official appointments at a later date after being notified of appointments by the academies. 

Today’s announcement is the conclusion of Castor’s 2025 competitive nomination process. The nominees who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend their respective academies in the 2026-2027 school year.

U.S. Rep. Castor granted her nomination to the following students for one or more of the U.S. military academies:

Malik K. Robinson, Northeast High School - USAFA

Katelynn R. McEntee, Walter L. Sickles High School - USMA and USAFA (not pictured)

Kaylee M. DeLory, Walter L. Sickles High School - USAFA

Nicholas C. Zamprogno, Robinson High School IB Program - USAFA and USNA

Konrad J. Paradies, Steinbrenner High School - USAFA

William D. Baker, H.B. Plant High School - USAFA and USNA

Simon Smith, Walter L. Sickles High School - USAFA, USMMA, USNA

Cade C. Holland, Jesuit High School - USAFA and USNA

Robert K. Bossowski, Jesuit High School - USNA

John D. Williams, Salisbury School - USMA and USNA

Jesse D. Cogburn, Jesuit High School - USNA

Roman A. Neske, H.B. Plant High School - USNA

Sawyer J. Burns, Dr. Earl J Lennard High School - USNA and USMMA

Elijah R. Chames, US Military Academy Prep School - USMA

Decker W. Deady, Berkeley Preparatory School - USNA

Asher Koontz, Jesuit High School - USNA