Lowey Honors Rye Students Accepted to U.S. Service Academies

A press release from Congresswoman Nita Lowey's office.
White Plains, NY – At her annual Service Academy Recognition Ceremony on May 13th,Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) honored two Rye natives for their admission to our nation’s service academies.

Among those honored by Congresswoman Lowey were Paul Mueller of Rye, who has been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy and Mary Robertson, of Rye, who has been accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

Paul, who currently resides in Texas while his father serves in the United States Air Force, attends John Paul II High School in Cibolo, TX. He was nominated and accepted to the United States Air Force Academy as well as the United States Merchant Marine Academy. 

Mary attends Rye High School and was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy.

“We are all so proud of these promising young people from our community who have answered the call to serve,”said Congresswoman Lowey. “I congratulate them and wish them all the best as they begin their education at our nation’s Service Academies.”

Congresswoman Lowey thanked the local veterans who attended the ceremony for their service to our country and expressed her concern about the challenges the nation’s veterans face finding employment and receiving their benefits. Congresswoman Lowey announced she is cosponsoring the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act, which would make it easier for veterans to receive care for service-related mental health issues, regardless of when the symptoms manifest themselves. Students were nominated for admission by Congresswoman Lowey in December when she represented New York’s 18th District, which included New Rochelle, Yonkers, Mamaroneck, Pelham, and Scarsdale. Due to redistricting that took effect in 2013, Congresswoman Lowey now represents New York’s 17th District, which includes north and central Westchester County as well as all of Rockland County. Other students honored by Congresswoman Lowey for their admission to one of the nation’s Service Academies included: 

Paul Mueller of Rye. Paul, who currently resides in Texas while his father serves in the United States Air Force, attends John Paul II High School in Cibolo, TX. He was nominated and accepted to the United States Air Force Academy as well as the United States Merchant Marine Academy. 

Mary Robertson of Rye. Mary attends Rye Neck High School and was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy.

Bing Bing Xie of Chappaqua. A student at Horace Greeley High School, Bing Bing was nominated and accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Air Force Academy. 

Ben Bailin of Pleasantville. Ben attends Byram Hills High School, and was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

Helen Robertson of Pelham. Helen attends Pelham Memorial High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy, accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

William Walker of Scarborough. William attends Hackley School. He was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

AJ Barbaria of Scarsdale. AJ is a graduate of New Rochelle High School and currently a student at Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School. He was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

Olivia McQuade of North White Plains. Olivia attends Valhalla High School, and was nominated and accepted to the United States Naval Academy. 

Max Rogovin of White Plains. Max attends White Plains High School. He was nominated and accepted to both the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy

 Geri Bea Villan of Yonkers. Geri attends St. Vincent Ferrer High School and was nominated and accepted toUnited States Military Academy at West Point and United States Merchant Marine Academy.