Graves hosts video chat with academy appointees
Three local students are among the 10 Northwest Georgia graduates to win appointments to U.S. military academies through Rep. Tom Graves, R-ranger.
Rome High graduate Aaron Loya and Floyd County resident Margaret Diruggerio, who attended Stony Brook School in New York, will enter the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Aidan Gaines of Rome High will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Graves traditionally hosts academy appointees and their parents to a send-off dinner with local alumni and other dignitaries, but the coronavirus outbreak broke tradition.
On Monday he held a virtual video call with the students from the 14th Congressional District. Graves said in a
U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-ranger, hosts a video conference Monday for the military academy appointees he nominated. press release that this is the Graves told the students. largest group to receive appointments The congressman uses an since he began independent board of military nominating students in 2011. advisors to review applications
“This year is pretty unique. from 14th District students Not only are we doing it virtually, and determine who receives but this is the largest a nomination. Each military class we have sent from our academy then chooses which congressional district ... We students to appoint out of all couldn’t be more proud of the nominations received from each and every one of you,” across the country.
The academies provide a top notch four-year college education in addition to military officer training. The students do not pay for tuition, housing, food, books or other college costs. They instead commit to active duty military service as an officer for five years following graduation.
Graves’ other appointees are: U.S. Air Force Academy — Savanah Ledbetter of Paulding County;
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — William Connor Pitts of Paulding County;
U.S. Military Academy at West Point — Joseph Arce of Paulding County, Autumn Grace Keaton of Haralson County; and
U.S. Naval Academy — Chaisen Buckner of Murray County, Tyler Hunt of Gordon County, Jackson Wilkins of Dade County.