Service academy appointments abound for District seniors

Rep. Dave Reichert hosted a reception this week to celebrate the students in Washington's Eighth Congressional District who have received appointments to a U.S. service academy next year. Of the 16 outstanding honorees, a quarter of them came from the Issaquah School District. They are:

• Joseph Louis Mantz III, from Liberty High School, who will attend the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
• Russell James Marihugh, from Liberty, who will attend the Merchant Marine Academy.
• Alexander David Paladino, from Liberty, who will attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Alexander J. Saul, from Skyline High School, who will attend the Military Academy in West Point, New York.

The Issaquah School District and Liberty High School had more students receive service academy appointments than any other school district or school in the Eighth District. Also, Saul and the seven other West-Point bound appointees represent the largest group ever from a Washington congressional district to join the Military Academy in a class.

"These students are not only the finest athletes, scholars and leaders in their schools and communities, but each of them also possesses the heart of a servant," Rep. Reichert said. "They are not self-serving or self-seeking, they are invested in the development of others and in protecting this country, its citizens and freedoms."