Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today her nominations of three outstanding Queens residents to the nation’s leading service institutions – the United States Military and Naval Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on a criteria including academic record, leadership potential and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the service academies.
Senator Gillibrand said, “Our service academies are distinguished by a devotion to honor, courage and commitment. I am honored to nominate these young, talented New Yorkers who exemplify these core values. It is my hope that these accomplished nominees have the chance to live their dreams and serve in our country’s armed forces with distinction.”
Senator Gillibrand’s Queens nominees are listed by their hometown and academies:
Lauren Ng (Flushing, Queens County) United States Military Academy at West Point.
Lauren, 17, a senior at Stuyvesant High School, competes on the varsity swim team and serves as Vice President of the Badminton Club. She is also an accomplished violinist who plays with Interschool Orchestras of New York. A National Honor Society member and participant in the Columbia University Science Honors Program, Lauren has earned a letter of acceptance from the U.S. Military Academy.
Andrew N. Paige (Jamaica, Queens County) United States Naval Academy.
A black belt in Shotokan karate, Andrew, 17, teaches karate on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park, Queens and has been practicing Shotokan and Kyokushin karate for more than a decade. For the past three years, Andrew was awarded full scholarships to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He is currently Vice President of the National Honor Society and helped create a student mentoring program for the freshmen class. Andrew also serves as Vice President of his school’s student government. The U.S. Naval Academy assured Andrew a seat in July pending a completed application by March.
Kenneth R. Sumsky (Middle Village, Queens County) United States Military Academy at West Point.
A senior at Xavier High School, Kenneth, 17 plays on the varsity baseball team, mentors through the Big Brothers program, and is a member of the Honor Society. Kenneth has earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant at Xavier’s competitive Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC). Kenneth currently awaits a decision from the U.S. Military Academy.