Five seniors from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook, have received appointments to the US Naval Academy, (USNA) a record number from this high school that has consistently had graduates accepted to this and each of the other military academies.
The five seniors accepted this year are Cadet CDR Thomas Clark, Little Silver, c/LT Carter Braun, Middletown, c/LT Nathan Olmeda, Red Bank, c/LT Olivia Palutis of Ocean, and c/LTjg Aidan Gravelli of Red Bank. Gravelli also received an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY, and has chosen to attend that Academy rather than the Naval Academy.
Clark also received a Navy ROTC scholarship to Princeton University but chose the Annapolis Academy.
Cadet Braun also received a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Southern California as well as an appointment to the US Military Academy but has opted to accept the Naval Academy over the Army’s West Point.
Currently, there are four MAST graduates at the Naval Academy: Midshipman First Class Elizabeth Lee of Marlboro who will be commissioned as a Navy Ensign later this month, Midn 2/C Mary Catherine Harvey of Loch Arbour, Midn 3/C Tyler Smolensky of Middletown, and Midn 3/C Alexis Walker of Fair Haven.
Cadet Kevin Ruland of Little Silver has accepted a scholarship to the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Conn., where he will join MAST graduates and current USCGA Cadets Jenna Lewandowski and Sam Puleio, both of Tinton Falls.
The military academy appointments are one part of the honors that have been bestowed on MAST 2025 graduates. In addition to the graduates who will be attending the service academies, seven other students in the class of 61 graduates have received ROTC scholarships to four-year colleges and universities.
Cadet Charlotte McKeon of Manasquan has committed to the Army ROTC Nursing Program at Pennsylvania State University;
Cadet Alexandra Preston of Ocean, to the Navy ROTC Program at the University of Florida;
Cadet Tyler Feeney of Brielle, the Navy ROTC Program at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and
Cadet Russell Karshmer of Highlands has been accepted to the Navy ROTC Program at Yale University and is currently pending approval to switch his scholarship to William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
Cadet Sarah Flynn of Keansburg has been accepted to the US Coast Guard Academy Scholars Program and will be playing softball for the Academy.
Cadet Gregory Elkanovich of Matawan received both a Navy ROTC-Marine Option scholarship and an Army ROTC scholarship.
One cadet, Delana Kirchoff of Middletown, has enlisted in the US Marine Corps and will be automatically advanced to the rank of E-2 upon completion of boot camp because of her participation in the NJROTC program.
Currently, there are 32 alumni from MAST that are either attending one of the military academies or are in an ROTC scholarship program at various universities.
“It’s always been the biggest part of our mission at the Marine Academy to get our students into the nation’s top colleges and universities,” said MAST Principal Earl Moore. “And that’s something that we’ve been able to achieve on a consistent basis, from year to year. Every year our cadets get accepted into some of the best schools in the country, including our nation’s Service Academies, and also ROTC scholarships.
“This year we have an unprecedented number of Naval Academy acceptances, and I give full credit to the teachers and counselors for their leadership and guidance, and especially to the Naval Science instructors who were so instrumental in helping these young men and women achieve their dreams,” Moore said.
