Carper and Coons announce service academy nominations, information session set Feb. 22

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., have announced the names of their service academy nominees for the Class of 2021, bringing these Delawareans one step closer to joining the ranks of America's military officers. Each year, members of the United States Congress are charged with nominating top candidates from their home state, ensuring the best and the brightest are considered for admission to the nation's leading service academies.

"Our service academies are tasked with developing tomorrow's leaders," said Carper. "These students have shown the potential to contribute significantly to our nation's future successes. The integrity, intelligence and dedication demonstrated by this group of nominees is outstanding, and I am proud to say they are among Delaware's finest."

"Nominating these gifted young men and women to the U.S. service academies is a sincere honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously," Coons said. "The next few years will be challenging academically, mentally and physically, but I am confident in their ability to rise to the challenge and to come through this experience well-equipped to join the ranks of America's finest military officers."

Carper's nominees from the Cape Region include: Lance White, Lewes, United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; David Collard, Lewes, United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; and Brendan Kane of Lewes and Robert Van Pelt of Georgetown, United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

Coons' nominees from the Cape Region include: David Collord, Milton, Cape Henlopen High School, United States Air Force Academy; Lance White, Lewes, Northwestern Prep, alternate nominee; and Samuel Parsons of Millsboro, Delaware Tech, Brandon Kane of Lewes and Robert Van Pelt of Georgetown to United States Merchant Marine Academy.

For students interested in applying to a service academy, Carper will host a free information session for students, parents and educators from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover. Representatives from service academies, as well as the congressional delegation offices and the U.S. Air Force, will be on hand to provide information about applying and answer questions.