Press Release
Posted:
Rutherford, CA – Yesterday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that four local students have been nominated and accepted offers to our nation's military service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
"Each year, I am proud to support the next generation of service members in attending our military service academies,” said Rep. Thompson. “Only our most accomplished and promising young adults are given the honor of pursuing their education at our military academies, and these students are no exception. They have reached the highest levels of academic success, service to their community, and excellence in their extracurriculars. On behalf of our entire district, I congratulate this year's appointees."
Each year, local candidates are interviewed for a nomination to our nation's service academies. Those nominated then must be offered an appointment by the academies. Appointees from the Fourth Congressional District were honored at a ceremony in Rutherford. Biographies for each student are included below.
For the U.S. Military Academy at West Point:
Matthew Palchak
Matthew attends Sacramento City College and formerly attended Jesuit High School in Sacramento. Matthew earned Honor Roll all semesters of high school and graduated with a 4.32 GPA. He participated in his high school track and field team and was co-captain of the Varsity team his junior and senior years. Matthew volunteered with Davis Community Meals where he collected donations and prepared food. He was a member of 4-H, raising goats and swine, as well as a member of a local rifle team. Matthew is inspired by his aunt and cousins, who are graduates of the USMA.
For the U.S. Naval Academy:
Micah Navarro
Micah attends Vacaville High School where he has participated in Varsity swimming, soccer, and football. Micah was awarded the National Hispanic Recognition Award in August of 2023 and was accepted into the USNA Inspire Program to experience a school day at the Naval Academy. Micah ranks 15th out of 527 in his class with a GPA of 4.29 and is the Senior Class Vice President and rally lead at his high school. Micah’s career goal is to be a pilot or Naval Flight Officer.
For the U.S. Air Force Academy:
Jack Cook
Jack attends Vacaville High School. Jack has participated on his school’s Varsity swim team since 2020 and on the MEL State Swim Team, which is a consortium of local high schools, since 2020. He has also spent time tutoring underprivileged youth and volunteering with his church. Jack is ranked 1st in his class out of 527 and has achieved a GPA of 4.5. Jack’s mother, father, and sister are all pilots and he would like to follow in their footsteps.
Brody Fortunati
Brody attends Vacaville High School and was inspired to join the Air Force by his two great-grandfathers who served and his father who is a lieutenant for the California Highway Patrol. Brody has been the captain and starting quarterback of his high school football team for four years. He holds a 4.06 GPA and has been a National Honors Society member since 2021. Brody is involved with 4-H, participating in community service through the organization. Brody is certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid.