By Michael YEGHIAYAN

Congressmen Adam Schiff and Tony Cardenas are scheduled to host an event today, Thursday, Sept. 26, for area high school students interested in applying for admission to one of the country’s military service academies.

The event will take place at the Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Building from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Coast Guard Academy at New London, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Joining the congressmen will be representatives from the respective schools who will provide information and answer questions from interested students and parents.

“Each year, I nominate highly qualified students to these academies, and I encourage students to apply for prestigious appointments to our nation’s fine service academies,” stated Schiff. “I hope that this informational session will be beneficial to students who are considering applying to the service academies, and I would encourage students and their parents to attend and learn more about the benefits of a military education.”

Students interested in applying to a service academy must meet a series of rigorous standards and be nominated by a member of Congress or the Office of the Vice President in order to be considered for admission, with the exception of the Coast Guard Academy. Those selected will receive free college tuition and will be trained to become officers in the United States military.

“We have nominated some of the most extraordinary young people from our communities to the academies,” explained Schiff. “We look for applicants who are  well-rounded, patriotic and willing to serve, academically superior, athletic, and participating in a wide range of leadership and extracurricular activities.”

Although the standards required for consideration to a service academy are considerably high, Schiff encouraged all interested students to attend the informational session.

“But there’s no ‘mold,’ and each student brings something different,” continued Schiff. “All will go on to become the leaders not only in our armed forces, but in every field of endeavor because of that diversity of abilities and talents.”

Students interested in being nominated must apply to their representative’s office by Nov. 1 in order to be considered for the class of 2018. For more information about Service Academy Night, contact the office of Rep. Adam Schiff at (818) 450-2900. The Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Building is located at 7747 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga.

  MICHAEL YEGHIAYAN