Skip to main content

Times-Herald - Rep. Mike Thompson names two Vallejoans, five others to military academies

June 2, 2014
News Articles

Both Vallejo appointees going to Naval Academy

Two Vallejo students were among seven appointed by Rep. Mike Thompson to the nation's service academies, Thompson's office announced. Both were appointed to the Naval Academy.

Congress has partnered with the Air Force, Army, Navy and Merchant Marine academies for more than 150 years to nominate candidates for admission. The fifth service institution, the Coast Guard Academy, does not require a nomination.

Thompson announced his appointments from California's Fifth Congressional District on Monday.

One, Emiliano Tabarsi of Vallejo, who is fluent in Farsi, received first academic honors for the last four years and was inducted into the National Honor Society for the last two years. Tabarsi served as varsity captain in the ROTC and was junior class president.

The other, Rashad Brown of Vallejo, is a scholar, avid sportsman and a member of JV/Varsity swimming, wrestling and football teams. He is a Rotary advisor. He participated in a summer seminar at the Naval Academy is president of the Interact Club and was offered an appointment by Naval Academy Preparatory School.

"Appointing talented and bright young men and women to the service academies is one of the highest honors I have as an elected representative," Thompson said in the announcement. "Our appointees are patriots. They will receive the finest education our country has to offer, they will learn leadership and command skills, and they will be taught the skills needed to become tomorrow's military leaders."

A panel selects the appointees to ensure selection is based only on merit, the announcement notes. Less than 1/3 of those who apply to United States military academies are admitted, he said.

"It is very selective and those that are chosen are truly the elite," he said.

Thompson's other appointees this year are:

Air Force

• Nolan King of Napa – an AP scholar, Civil Air Patrol cadet, airman, USAF auxiliary and Boys State nominee.

• Evan Richter of Santa Rosa – currently on a religious mission, he had previously been appointed to the Air Force and took religious leave. Richter had to re-apply to return to the Air Force, and the Air Force offered him another appointment.

Army

• Adam Van Prooyen of Santa Rosa – was offered two appointments; to the U.S. Air Force and West Point. He participates in the Model UN and the West Point Summer Experience, is a Boy Scout, was on the principal's honor roll from 2010-2013 and is an AP scholar. His grandfather served in the Army in Vietnam and his father served in Bosnia and Iraq after 9/11. Both men are West Point graduates.

• David Weinmann of Hercules – is proficient in Spanish, participate in summer camps at both West Point and the Naval Academy and has received numerous athletic awards.

Navy

• Madeline Farr of Martinez – is proficient in Spanish and Arabic, and plays water polo. Her grandfather is a retired Navy chief and her father served in the Marine Corp[s].

Issues:Defense