July 03, 2025
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Schneider announces Class of 2026 military academy nominees

Military academy class of 2026 is largest in 10th District history

By Lake County Journal staff report

From left to right: Back row: Col. David Joseforsky, James Delia, David Kwon, Andrew Terkildsen, Congressman Brad Schneider, Jaeger Breault, father of student Anderson Walkes, Todd Wagner, Col. Jason Williamson Front row: Samantha “Tess” Clark,  Robert O‘Neil Vedra, Owen Ray, Tuguldar Erdenebat, Alex Remus Hotca, Col. Megan Stallings   Students not pictured: Raymond Oliphant, Emmeline Bae, Aamir Tanveer, Joseph Morris, Charles Tomscheck and Theodore Zinox (Photo provided)

GREAT LAKES – U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Deerfield, honored student nominees for the military service academy class of 2026, their families and selection committee members at a reception at the National Museum of the American Sailor in Great Lakes. Schneider nominated 17 students from the 10th District for a military academy appointment.

“Nominating 10th District students for a military service academy is one of the highest honors of my job. Congratulations to the 17 students who were nominated based on their exceptional leadership, scholarship and patriotism. I wish them great success in their studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy and their subsequent service to our nation,” Schneider said.

For admission to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, a prospective officer must apply to his or her member of Congress for a nomination. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require congressional nominations for admittance.

Of the 17 appointees from the 10th District, eight students received a nomination for the U.S. Naval Academy, seven students received a nomination for the U.S. Military Academy and five students received a nomination for the U.S. Air Force Academy. Several students received multiple nominations.

10th District students who received military academy nominations:

* Jaeger Breault, captain of the lacrosse team, Grayslake Central: U.S. Naval Academy

* Samantha Tess Clark, captain of the Milwaukee Jr. Girls 2021/2022, Lake Forest Academy: U.S. Naval Academy

* James Delia, National Merit Commended Scholar, Lake Forest Academy: U.S. Military Academy

* Tuguldar Erdenebat, 2021 Senior Scholastic Achievement Award, Stevenson: U.S. Naval Academy

* Alex Remus Hotca, International Internship Aero Motive, June to August 2021, John Hersey: U.S. Air Force Academy

* David Kwon, 2021 12th Grade National Honors, Glenbrook South: U.S. Military Academy

* Raymond Oliphant, Lawrence Academy Hockey Unsung Hero award winner 2020, Lawrence Academy: U.S. Air Force Academy

* Owen Ray, National Merit Commended Status 2021, Vernon Hills: U.S. Military Academy

* Andrew Terkildsen, National Merit Scholarship semifinalist 2021, Lake Forest Academy: U.S. Naval Academy

* Robert O’Neil Vedra, Cum Laude Society member 2021, Lake Forest: U.S. Military Academy/U.S. Naval Academy

* Anderson Nat Walkes, National Technical Honor Society 2021, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School: U.S. Air Force Academy

* Todd Wagner, Environmental Committee Leader 12th grade, Glenbrook South: U.S. Naval Academy

* Emmeline Bae, guardian for Lake County Honor Flight, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School: U.S. Air Force Academy

* Joseph Morris, West Point Summer Leadership Experience summer 2020, U.S. Military Academy Prep School: U.S. Military Academy

* Aamir Tanveer, AP Scholar Award with Distinction, Libertyville: U.S. Military Academy

* Charles Tomsheck, National Honors Society, Glenbrook South: U.S. Naval Academy

* Theodore Zinox, 2021 12th Grade Scouts BSA Order of the Arrow Lodge Vice Chief of Committees, Highland Park: U.S. Air Force Academy/Military Academy/U.S. Naval Academy/Merchant Marine Academy