Plainfield ceremony honors U.S. service academy nominees in Illinois 11th Congressional District

PLAINFIELD – Parents of each high schooler who approached U.S. Rep. Bill Foster on Saturday took dozens of photos as the 17 students received recognitions of nomination to U.S. service academies.

“I had to hold back the tears,” said Erin Solorzano, recalling the moment her daughter, Joliet Central High School senior Mercedes Solorzano, walked to the podium.

“It’s exciting. She’s been working at this for a long time,” Erin Solorzano said.

Foster, D-Naperville, presented the recognitions at the annual U.S. Service Academy Nomination Ceremony for the Illinois 11th Congressional District on Saturday morning at the American Legion Marne Post 13 in Plainfield.

“Serving in our Armed Forces is a difficult challenge,” Foster said. “But more importantly, it’s a noble calling that all of the nominees here have answered.”

Service academies

Each year, like all those who serve in Congress, Foster nominates students in his district who have expressed interest and applied their efforts toward attending one of the U.S. service academies: the Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy.

This year, 17 students were nominated, including Mercedes Solorzano to the Naval Academy; Daniel McDonald from Providence Catholic to the Naval Academy and Military Academy; Victor Osinloye from Romeoville High School to the Air Force Academy; Benjamin Preston from Lincoln-Way West to the Naval Academy; Payton Myers from Plainfield South to the Air Force Academy; and Austin Deal from Plainfield South to the Naval Academy.

Additional nominees go to Downers Grove, West Aurora, Naperville North, Metea Valley, Benet Academy, Marmion Academy, Aurora Christian and Aurora Central high schools.

To be a nominee, a student must be at least 17 years old but not more than 23 by July 1 the year he or she enters the academy. The nominee must be a U.S. citizen, unmarried, not pregnant, have no children or dependents and must be a legal resident of the congressional district.

Nominees must meet minimum scholastic standards and pass a qualifying medical examination with the Department of Defense Medical Review Board.

Service academies are expected to make the majority of their appointments by May. If a nominated student is accepted into an academy, the student will be obligated, and enter a commitment, to serve in the military for a minimum of five years after graduation.

Recognition

Students felt like they accomplished a difficult task after being recognized by Foster and their families.

“It brings a lot of pride to myself,” Deal said. “I’m also very humble and thankful for it as well.”

Deal started to gain an interest in the military through the influence of his uncle, who was in the Navy. He wants to become a Navy pilot.

Myers, who modeled her interest in the Air Force after her grandfather, said her grandfather didn’t get medically cleared for the academy. So Saturday’s ceremony was special for her.

Along with taking the first steps to become a pilot, Myers said she will run track and field for the Air Force Academy.

Mercedes Solorzano said she wanted to be in the military since she was a kid. She has been a part of the Joliet Central JROTC program all four years of high school. But she decided to apply for the Naval Academy because of the specific engineering opportunities available.

“I was looking through the most STEM-based field when it came to the branches, and I found the Navy,” she said, adding that she wants to study nuclear engineering and apply her education to the Navy.

Mercedes’ mother said JROTC and her interest in the military helped Mercedes grow into a strong person.

“It’s helped her become more structured and responsible,” Erin Solorzano said.

Foster talked and took individual photos with the nominees after the ceremony. But he said the most memorable part is when nominees and their families get that sense of recognition.

“It’s when I talk to the parents and see how proud they are, and watch the kids react to the honor,” Foster said.

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2016 Illinois 11th Congressional District service academy nominees:

• Amanda Burson, Metea Valley, Air Force

• Caitlin Cerza, Aurora Central Catholic, Air Force

• Austin Deal, Plainfield South, Naval

• Patricia A. Gilbert-Cors, West Aurora, Air Force

• Jacob Johanik, Metea Valley, Air Force

• Ramarro Lamar, Downers Grove, Naval, Merchant Marine, Military

• Gregory Liesen, Naperville North, Military, Naval, Air Force

• Daniel McDonald, Providence Catholic, Naval, Military

• Payton Myers, Plainfield South, Air Force