Rep. Pat Ryan Hosts Service Academy Info Session at Marist University March 21

Congressional nominations are required to attend any U.S. Service Academy, a fact that catches many aspiring cadets and their families off guard. Rep. Pat Ryan is hosting a free public information session at Marist University's Dyson Center on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., designed specifically to demystify that process for Hudson Valley students, parents, and educators.

The session will bring together representatives from all five U.S. Service Academies under one roof at 30 John Winslow Drive in Poughkeepsie. Attendees will also have the unusual opportunity to speak directly with members of the Congressional Nomination Board, the same people who conduct the interviews that determine whether a student receives Ryan's nomination. That access to nomination interviewers is rarely available outside of the formal application process itself.

Ryan, who attended West Point, has framed the sessions as a personal mission. "At West Point I learned how to live a life grounded in duty, honor, and country," he wrote in a recent Facebook post announcing the March 21 session. "Nominating the next generation of leaders is an incredible privilege." His office has held numerous similar sessions with the stated goals of inspiring future military leaders, expanding awareness of the nomination process, and reaching a diverse applicant pool.

The impact of those earlier sessions is evident in at least one case. Dennis Palacios, a student at Monroe-Woodbury High School who attended Ryan's spring 2023 workshop, described the experience in terms that went beyond logistics. "It's been a lifelong goal to attend a service academy. This informational event assured me that this dream remains possible," Palacios said. "Each service academy representative was kind and encouraging. They also provided useful information on cadet life and tips to strengthen my application. Many thanks to Congressman Ryan and the service academy/ROTC representatives for hosting such an incredible event!"

Academy representatives at the March 21 session will be available to walk prospective applicants through what each institution offers and what it takes to succeed academically and physically once enrolled. The Arlington Central School District, which publicized the event on March 4, described the nomination board component as "a unique and rare opportunity" for families navigating the competitive application process.

For more information, contact Ryan's office at destiny.hallenbeck@mail.house.gov or by phone at 845-443-2930. Additional details are available at patryan.house.gov. The Dyson Center is located at 30 John Winslow Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.