In the News
Several La Jolla students are among 39 area youths who have received nominations to attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point, Merchant Marine Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy.
A ceremony to honor the nominees was held by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-La Jolla) on Feb. 20 at San Diego’s Balboa Park.
The students applied for a nomination from Peters’ office in the fall and were selected after an interview process with the Service Academy Nominations Board that Peters’ office convened. Graduates of service academies are required to serve at least five years in the military.
These are the La Jolla students and the academies they are nominated for:
• Kevin Chiu, La Jolla High School: Military Academy
• Luke Daly, La Jolla High School: Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy
• Jack Harvey, The Bishop’s School: Naval Academy
• Kyan Klijian, La Jolla resident who attends Santa Fe Christian School: Military Academy, Naval Academy
• Dylan Liquard, La Jolla Country Day School: Military Academy
• Thomas Michael, La Jolla High School: Military Academy, Air Force Academy
• Lindy Rumel, La Jolla High School: Naval Academy
“Nominating bright and promising young men and women to attend our nation’s prestigious service academies is one of my favorite duties as a member of Congress,” Peters said. “These students not only have excellent academic achievements but they also have impressive records of leadership, community service and extracurricular participation.
“San Diego’s military and veterans history is an integral part of who we are as a city and community, and I know these future members of our armed forces will carry on this legacy with bravery and determination.”
Klijian said he has always been drawn to service and leadership, and while he hasn’t participated in youth military programs like the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), he’s been active in athletics, which taught him “discipline, teamwork and perseverance — qualities I believe will serve me well in a military career.”
His ultimate goal, Klijian said, is to be commissioned as an officer, preferably in the Navy.
“I’m especially drawn to the Naval Academy’s focus on leadership and discipline,” he said. “While I’m still exploring potential career paths within the Navy, I’m excited by the opportunity to develop as both a leader and a person while serving my country.”
The nomination from Peters was “a really special moment” and “an incredible honor,” Klijian said.
“This whole experience has been amazing, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Daly’s years as a “proud member” of Boy Scout Troop 4 in La Jolla have “developed my leadership skills and self-discipline” and propelled him to military service, he said.
“From my experiences as a Boy Scout, I have picked up several crucial life skills and mindsets,” he said, including being accountable and willing to take responsibility when making a mistake.
“It is important to do so, as it helps one develop themselves as an individual, recognize their weaknesses and build upon them,” Daly said. “This is not only essential to realize one’s potential but it is also crucial in a team environment in which others are counting on your performance.”
Daly said he is humbled that Peters “saw in me the potential to have a meaningful impact on our community and nation. As a result of his support, my passions for service have matured from mere visions of the future to concrete goals that I feel I am now accountable for. I thank Scott Peters for making it a possibility for me to realize my dreams.”
Liquard was unable to attend the ceremony because of other commitments but said “it is always an honor to be nominated and represent my community.”
Though both his grandfathers served, Liquard himself has no military background. But he said it has been a dream for years.
“I have always wanted to serve,” he said. “I looked up to firefighters, police and military when I was growing up, and serving my country and giving back to my community has been everything I wanted to do.”
He plans to attend Military Academy West Point, which prepares cadets to become officers in the Army, and said he’s leaning toward infantry or intelligence.
“I’m going to go in with my head high and do what I need to do,” he said. “I intend to lead by example and put all my focus on whatever [division] I serve.”