2 LCF Men Nominated to U.S. Military, Naval Academies by Dreier

Among the Southland residents Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas) nominated to the United States Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine Academies Wednesday are two La Cañada residents.

To the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dreier nominated David Choe and to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis the congressman nominated Kevin O'Toole, according to a news release from Dreier's office.

"This is an outstanding group of young people," Dreier wrote in a prepared statement. "They would all provide exemplary service as military officers and make our country, state, and communities proud."

O'Toole, of , was a runner up in Dreier's Youth Volunteer Award program in May. Choe graduated from in 2010, where he played on the Spartans varsity soccer team, according to Maxpreps.com.

The nominees will compete with other applicants from around the nation for the available positions in the classes that will enter in July 2012.  

In addition to the La Cañada residents, the full list of nominations is as follows:

• Nominated to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado are:  Adrian Castillo-San Dimas, Paul Dean-La Crescenta, Kelly Dualan-San Dimas, Alex Wei Lee-Arcadia, Evan Luckey-La Crescenta, Gregory Mak-Arcadia, Alexander Pumerantz-Claremont, Melanie Sanchez-Alta Loma, Jaron Swinburn-Rancho Cucamonga and Ian Taylor-La Crescenta.

• Nominated to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York are: Andrew Borer-Alta Loma, One Sik “Michael” Choi, Floyd Sie-Obadiah Clark II-Rancho Cucamonga, Desirae Grumbine-Alta Loma, Koa LaBonta-Rancho Cucamonga, Steven Liu-San Marino, Joanne Oh-Walnut, Austin Serrano-Rancho Cucamonga and Bryan Wolak-San Dimas.

• Nominated to attend the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland are: Steven Backofen-Upland, James Baluyut-Rancho Cucamonga, Adrian Castillo-San Dimas, Patrick Chen-Arcadia, Ryker Convento-Rancho Cucamonga, John Diskin-Upland, Amy Epperson-Upland, Robert Grizzle-Glendora, Austin Grow-Alta Loma, Desirae Grumbine-Alta Loma, Albert Jagels-San Marino, Phillip Juarez-Arcadia, Alexis Kelm-Rancho Cucamonga, Alex Wei Lee-Arcadia, Taylor Mooers-Covina, Alexander Pumerantz-Claremont, Alisha Sako-Rancho Cucamonga, Austin Serrano-Rancho Cucamonga and Casey Thompson-Arcadia.

• Nominated to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York are: Steven Backofen-Upland, John Diskin-Upland, Albert Jagels-San Marino, Kenneth Moore-Arcadia, Brandon Muñoz-San Dimas, Samy Oubeid-Upland, Alisha Sako-Rancho Cucamonga, Alexandra Santrach-Rancho Cucamonga and Austin Serrano-Rancho Cucamonga.