LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Congressman Andy Barr held a send-off ceremony for eight extraordinary high school graduates from the Sixth Congressional District who are preparing to enter the armed forces.
There is one student going to the Marine Academy, two to the Naval Academy, one to the Air Force Academy and four to the Military Academy. One of the honorees was accepted to three!
Barr said it’s the highest number of students his district has sent since he has held his seat. This morning, he recognized each one of them, thanking them for their willingness to serve their country.
After introducing each appointee, @RepAndyBarr said he feels he doesn’t have a more important responsibility than appointing students like these to serve our country. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/j1vAq4AkMz
— Claire Kopsky (@ClaireMKopsky) June 14, 2019
“In this day and age, you know, you hear sometimes people are more critical of a certain generation or this generation or that generation, but what this tells me when you see these outstanding young people and their resumes and what they’ve already accomplished in their young lives and what they surely will accomplish in the military, it really gives you a great deal of inspiration and hope for the future of our country,” said Barr.
One young lady, Anna Maria Gilligan, received appointments to both the Naval, Military and Air Force Academy. She chose the Naval Academy. She was the only female appointment.
“I’ve been underestimated my whole life. I’ve had people come up to me this year, especially after articles have been released and they’re like ‘oh, you’re actually smart.’ And it’s a bit of a bash but their expectations for me were down here and then I raised the bar all the way up here so they’re this much more impressed,” she told LEX 18.
“It’s hard to get 8, I will tell you. It’s so competitive. Not just in Kentucky but nation-wide but I am very proud of the fact–and I share this with my colleagues in the US House, Kentucky is a particularly patriotic place. It’s a place of higher participation in the military and more interest among young people to serve,” said Barr.
Here are all the appointments honored. Congratulations to all the students and thank you for your service!
U.S. Air Force Academy Appointee:
- Christopher Michael Stefanski, son of Michael and Catherine Stefanski, a resident of Winchester and graduate of George Rogers Clark High School.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Appointee:
- Douglas Wright, son of Roger and Catherine Wright, a resident of Lexington and graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School.
U.S. Naval Academy Appointees:
- Anna Marie Gilligan, daughter of Chris and Janet Gilligan, a resident of Lexington and graduate of Henry Clay High School. Gilligan received appointments from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. She will attend the Naval Academy.
- Victoriano Jackson Trevino, son of Marko and Angela Trevino, a resident of Georgetown and graduate of Scott County High School.
U.S. Military Academy at West Point Appointees:
- William David Henry, son of David and Tonya Henry, a resident of Winchester and graduate of George Rogers Clark High School.
- Isaac Archer Marret, son of Leland and Christine Marret, a resident of Lawrenceburg and graduate of St. Xavier High School in Louisville.
- Samuel Tabor Martin, son of Craig and Carol Ann Martin, a resident of Georgetown and graduate of Lexington Christian Academy.
- Seth Quackenbush, son of Eric and Ann Quackenbush, a resident of Georgetown and graduate of Scott County High School.
