NEWBURGH, NY, June 27, 2024 – San Miguel Academy is proud to announce that three alumni have been inducted into the United States Naval Academy. Triplet brothers Christopher, Christian, and Jonathan Recinos (SMA Class of 2020) share the distinction of gaining admission to one of the most competitive schools in the country. All three brothers received Congressional Nominations from Representative Pat Ryan of New York District 18. Congressman Ryan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
“Being accepted to a Service Academy is no small feat; to have all three of the Recinos triplets accepted to the Naval Academy is a historic accomplishment that speaks volumes of their character, integrity, and moral fortitude,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Their dedication to the values and work ethic instilled in them in the Hudson Valley, from their loving parents, and at San Miguel Academy, is admirable and sets them up to be the future leaders our country so desperately needs. The entire Hudson Valley is proud of Christopher, Christian, and Jonathan. I’ll forever be ‘Go Army, Beat Navy,’ but there’s definitely three new Midshipmen I’m rooting for!”
Through the San Miguel Graduate Success Program, the three brothers went off to different high schools. Christopher attended The Mount Academy in Esopus, NY, Christian attended Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT, and Jonathan attended St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ. All three young men have been dedicated student-athletes and exemplary community members.
David Terwilliger, A320 Captain, U.S.N. retired, who oversees San Miguel Academy’s STEMPilot program, is himself a graduate of the US Naval Academy and has acted as a field representative for the 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 three applicants from a small middle school class, each with the resume to compete for one of the most competitive institutions in the country is a tremendous accomplishment.” 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.
San Miguel Academy is a small independent middle school in Newburgh, NY, founded in 2006 to break the cycle of poverty through education. Christopher, Christian, and Jonathan will join the ranks of many San Miguel Academy alumni who have gone on to serve their country either through ROTC or enlistment. Currently, two San 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.
