NEWBURGH, NY: Four members of the San Miguel Academy Class of 2020 are applying for admission to United States service academies and have received congressional nominations, a critical step in the admission process. New York District 18 Congressional Representative Pat Ryan was thrilled to nominate all four young men for admission to United States service academies. Christopher Recinos, Christian Recinos, and Jonathan Recinos- who are triplets- were nominated for the US Naval Academy, and Luis Chirinos was nominated for the Merchant Marine Academy. Christopher recently reminded Father Mark Connell, Executive Director and one of the School’s founders, that he told him in 7th grade that he could be one of the first to attend a service academy. The four young men will now formally apply to the academies. All four were oarsmen at San Miguel Academy.
After San Miguel Academy, the boys went to different high schools: Luis is at Newburgh Free Academy, the public high school in Newburgh, Christopher is at The Mount Academy in Esopus, NY., Christian is at Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT, and Jonathan is at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ. They are all dedicated student-athletes and exemplary community members. Each hopes that their hard work and achievements will earn them admission to a service academy which are ranked annually by U.S. News & World Report as some of the most selective colleges and universities in America. The average acceptance rate is between 8-17%.
David Terwilliger, A320 Captain, Major, U.S.A.F. retired, volunteers at San Miguel Academy, teaching aviation as part of its STEMPilot program. As a former Gold and Blue Officer, acting as a field representative for the US Naval Academy admission process, he recognizes the significance of the situation: “Entire school districts rarely have even a single academy applicant, and impoverished inner-city schools seldom have even one. To have four applicants from a small middle school class, each with the resume to compete for some of the most competitive institutions in the country is a tremendous accomplishment. Having so many willing to serve the nation is even more amazing.”
San Miguel Academy is proud of the many alumni who have gone on to serve their country. Currently, two Sna Miguel Academy graduates are serving as commissioned naval officers in the Pacific fleet. Several others are reservists, some of whom have been called to active duty for extended periods of time.
Luis “Tito” Jimenez, SMA ’13, Canterbury School ’17, SUNY Maritime ’21, has participated in several graduations and inspired many San Miguel Academy students with his determination and hard work, including our four service academy applicants in the San Miguel Academy Class of 2020 (top). Lieutenant Jimenez of the US Navy is now the Deck Officer for the USS Blue Ridge in Japan (below, left). He will soon be joined in the Pacific by Brandon Miller, SMA ’15, Church Farm School ’19, SUNY Maritime ’23 (below right). Both Lieutenant Jimenez and Ensign Miller attended SUNY Maritime with NROTC scholarships.
Christopher Recinos, Christian Recinos, Jonathan Recinos, and Luis Chirinos through the years at San Miguel Academy, and as high school seniors (bottom right) at an admission event for the service academies.
