Twenty-four high school students and their families from Palm Beach and Broward counties recently gathered for a reception in Boca Raton in which Congresswoman Lois Frankel handed out nominations to the nation's military academies.

"They're outstanding, they're outstanding students," Frankel said. "Very well rounded, and they all have a passion for service and for leadership."

Before receiving the nomination, the students had to go through an in-depth processes of filling out forms and questions, and submitting their applications, which included academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, to Frankel's office. From there, candidates were narrowed down and brought in for a 15-minute interview.

"It's always very difficult because this is the cream of the crop," said Glenn Wiltshire, deputy port director and one of the interviewers. "They are all top performers. What we try to do is ask a consistent set of questions to each candidate to see how they would react."

Ethan Gable, a senior at St. John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton, said he was surprised to make it through the process.

"It's a lot of paperwork. Most people don't realize the amount of paperwork you have to fill out," he said.

The reception began with families and nominees gathering in the lobby for refreshments and photos with Frankel.

"I feel very honored to be nominated," Alexandria Smith, a senior at Pompano Beach High School and JROTC regimental commander for Broward County, said. "It's a select group and those that are already there, we have to be up to their standard or better than that."

Though the students have all received nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and/or West Point, it's not a definite acceptance into their school of choice. If admitted, the students will receive full tuition and living expenses in exchange for a commitment to serve in the armed forces, according to Frankel's office.

However, each student has a back up plan for their future, Wiltshire said.

"I think they all have bright futures ahead of them," he said. "There's only a limited number of nominations and appointments to the service academies, but in each case, the candidates all have other ideas in case they didn't get selected into a service academy. The future is bright."

Frankel called the students "future leaders of the country."

"Whether it's in the military or private sector, it all started with this passion to serve. They have bright minds, good character and it gives you a lot of hope for the future generation," she said.

Broward County nominees:

Anthony Alberico, Merchant Marines Prep, Oakland Park

Leslie Simona Babb, North Broward Prep, Lighthouse Point

Sydney Barron, St. Thomas H.S., Fort Lauderdale

Victoria Bien Aime, Westminister Academy, Fort Lauderdale

Colin Durkin, Cardinal Gibbons H.S., Fort Lauderdale

Hannah Hbrovsky, Deerfield Beach H.S., Deerfield Beach

Jonathan Howard, St. Thomas H.S., Plantation

Franklyn Lavrar, St. Thomas H.S., Plantation

Alexander Major, American Heritage, Plantation

Sebastian Michko, Fort Lauderdale H.S., Wilton Manors

Gabriella Shyne, Westminister Academy, Fort Lauderdale

Palm Beach County nominees:

Dominique Alexandre, Santaluces Community H.S., Boynton Beach

Patrick Brower, St. John Paul II Academy, Delray Beach

Alexander Cordes, Atlantic Community H.S., Boynton Beach

Sarah Dunkel, Oxbridge Academy, West Palm Beach

Ethan Gable, St. John Paul II Academy, Boca Raton

Kelly Harrington, Boca Raton Community H.S., Boca Raton

Stephanie Johnson, Boca Raton Community H.S., Boca Raton

James O'Halloran, Atlantic Community H.S., Boynton Beach

Tatjana Orquera, University of Rochester, Boca Raton

Liam Rooney, Naval Academy Prep, Palm Beach

Charlie Schmidt, Boca Raton Community H.S., Boca Raton

Kirk Shields, Florida Atlantic University H.S., Boca Raton

Matthew Terra Nova, Atlantic Community H.S., Delray Beach

William Williams, Riviera Beach Maritime Academy, Lake Worth

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