NEW: Langevin Announces Service Academy Nominations
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
After his independent advisory board performed a careful review of this year’s applications, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) has nominated three high school seniors from Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District to enter the nation’s prestigious service academies. Following the board’s recommendations, Langevin has awarded the honors to Keith Schneider of Bishop Hendricken for the U.S. Military Academy, Jonathan Buterbuagh of North Kingstown Senior High School for the U.S. Naval Academy and Olivia DeSpirito of East Greenwich High School for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
The advisory committee, which Langevin created during his first year in Congress to ensure a robust review of all applicants, is made up of local veterans of the Academies and educators. Members conduct interviews with each candidate and examine their school records, College Board scores, extracurricular activities and other qualifications. The Congressman can select one applicant as his “principal nomination” to each branch, with up to nine additional qualified individuals receiving nominations that allow them to compete for the Academies’ other available appointments. All residents of the Second District between the ages of 17 and 23 are eligible to apply. Next year’s submissions are due by the end of October 2012.
“Congratulations to Keith, Jonathan and Olivia for earning these appointments through their hard work and outstanding performances in and outside of the classroom,” said Langevin. “I am always impressed by the high volume of quality applications we receive from students eager to serve their country and our youth never fail to give me great faith in our future. I thank the members of my advisory board for their diligence and commitment to ensuring a thorough process for making these extremely difficult decisions.”
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A resident of Coventry, Keith has achieved spots in the National Honor Society as well as the French, English and Mathematics Honor Societies, while also participating on Bishop Hendricken’s Academic Math Team and in the school’s Arts Academy. Last year, he became an Eagle Scout through his efforts with Charlestown Troop 15, in which he has also served as Senior Patrol Leader and Bugler. Keith has spent much of his free time helping others by assisting in the medical lab at South County Hospital, volunteering for the Summer Special Olympics and tutoring his classmates in pre-calculus. He is a captain on Bishop Hendricken’s swim team and has worked as a lifeguard in South Kingstown.
Jonathan Buterbuagh – U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis
Jonathan has performed at a high level in many areas. Academically, he has taken numerous Advanced Placement courses and received recognition for accomplishments in French. A member of the Boy Scouts since he was 11, Jonathan recently completed the requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and has devoted hundreds of hours to community service, which includes traveling to poor areas with his church, East Greenwich United Methodist, to work on home improvement projects. Additionally, he has achieved black belt status in Oki-ryu Kenpo after more than ten years of training.
Olivia DeSpirito – U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
An honors student at East Greenwich High School, Olivia has also excelled in the Cadet Program of the Rhode Island Wing Civil Air Patrol, in which she was selected as the top cadet out of 90 participants in 2009 and attained the position of Rhode Island Cadet Advisory Council Chairperson last year. She is among the five percent of cadets nationwide who reach the rank of Captain. In addition, Olivia has achieved outside the classroom through community service. Her activities have included participating in Bike MS to raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis and volunteering for Save the Bay to help protect Rhode Island’s natural resources.