Several La Jolla students are among 39 area youths who have received nominations to attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point, Merchant Marine Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy.
A ceremony to honor the nominees was held by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-La Jolla) on Feb. 20 at San Diego’s Balboa Park.
The students applied for a nomination from Peters’ office in the fall and were selected after an interview process with the Service Academy Nominations Board that Peters’ office convened. Graduates of service academies are required to serve at least five years in the military.
These are the La Jolla students and the academies they are nominated for:
• Kevin Chiu, La Jolla High School: Military Academy
• Luke Daly, La Jolla High School: Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy
• Thomas Michael, La Jolla High School: Military Academy, Air Force Academy
• Lindy Rumel, La Jolla High School: Naval Academy
Daly’s years as a “proud member” of Boy Scout Troop 4 in La Jolla have “developed my leadership skills and self-discipline” and propelled him to military service, he said.
“From my experiences as a Boy Scout, I have picked up several crucial life skills and mindsets,” he said, including being accountable and willing to take responsibility when making a mistake.
“It is important to do so, as it helps one develop themselves as an individual, recognize their weaknesses and build upon them,” Daly said. “This is not only essential to realize one’s potential but it is also crucial in a team environment in which others are counting on your performance.”
Daly said he is humbled that Peters “saw in me the potential to have a meaningful impact on our community and nation. As a result of his support, my passions for service have matured from mere visions of the future to concrete goals that I feel I am now accountable for. I thank Scott Peters for making it a possibility for me to realize my dreams.”
Photo credit: Office of Rep. Scott Peters. Story credit: Ashley Mackin Solomon, La Jolla Light. Read the entire article: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/28/an-incredible-honor-la-jolla-youths-nominated-to-military-service-academies/