Rep. Analilia Mejia Announces Appointments to the U.S. Service Academies and attending the Service Academy Preparatory Schools and Preparatory Programs

June 15, 2026
Press Release

Livingston, N.J. –  Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) announced the 23 students from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District appointed to the U.S. Service Academies and attending the Service Academy Preparatory Schools and Preparatory Programs. These students will begin their education and service careers this year at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and their associated Preparatory Schools and Programs. Congresswoman Mejia hosted an event to recognize the students this week in Denville. 

“It is so inspiring to see these incredibly talented young men and women from NJ-11 who are choosing to dedicate themselves to public and military service, and I was so happy to be able to see them before they report to the Academies for the first time this summer. I am grateful for their spirit of service to our nation and wish them the best as they begin their careers as future military leaders,” said Congresswoman Analilia Mejia.

The 20 NJ-11 students attending U.S. Service Academies:

  • Alexandra Donoghue, Chatham - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Dylan Hunter, Montville - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Jack Kulp, Chatham - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Kyle Ramos, Wayne - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Carmine Sipper, West Caldwell - U.S. Naval Academy
  • William Trafford, West Caldwell - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Ajay Uppuluri, Short Hills - U.S. Naval Academy
  • Ashlin Bowler, Morristown - U.S. Military Academy
  • Alexandra Chang, Millburn - U.S. Military Academy
  • Roderick Chu, Whippany - U.S. Military Academy
  • Ethan Chellaraj, Morris Plains - U.S. Military Academy
  • Vaidehi Desai, Parsippany - U.S. Military Academy
  • Kylie Heimbach, Denville - U.S. Military Academy
  • Modi Shi, Madison - U.S. Military Academy
  • Cassidy Smith, Randolph - U.S. Military Academy
  • Matthew Tafuri, Cedar Grove - U.S. Military Academy
  • Sean Torres, Nutley - U.S. Military Academy
  • Francisco Vinals, Morris Plains - U.S. Military Academy
  • John Bettenbender, Glen Ridge - U.S. Air Force Academy
  • Ethan Wagner, Chatham - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Most of these students were nominated by Governor Mikie Sherrill in fall 2025 as the then-Representative for NJ-11, prior to her resignation from her seat in Congress.

The following three NJ-11 students will be attending Service Academy Preparatory Schools or Programs in the coming year. Students attending a Preparatory School or Program do not require a Congressional Nomination:

  • Kevin Deves, Maplewood – U.S. Naval Academy Civil Prep Program
  • William Christenson, Boonton - U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School
  • Thomas Sica, Cedar Grove - U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School

The Merchant Marine Academy allows Representatives to nominate candidates from anywhere in New Jersey. In addition to the appointees above, the office of the Eleventh District (former Rep. Mikie Sherrill) nominated the following students who received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy:

  • Chiara DaCosta, Edgewater – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
  • Johnathan Frey, Medford – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
  • Emma Price, Jobstown – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy