11 TEENAGERS BOUND FOR MILITARY ACADEMY EDUCATIONS APPOINTEES NAMED BY REP. MCKEON FROM 25TH DISTRICT.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

VALENCIA - They are the alma maters of U.S. presidents, military heroes and famed statesmen, and within weeks the nation's top military academies will welcome nearly a dozen local teens into their hallowed halls.

Eleven teens were honored Saturday morning at Santa Clarita City Hall, where U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, congratulated the young men and women on their appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York and the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

``(For) these kids, this isn't a lark. People have short memories and some people think the war is over,'' said McKeon, who nominated the students from his 25th District. ``These kids could be the ones fighting over in Iraq or across the world.''

Surrounded by family, the appointees were celebrated in the Century Room at City Hall. Some of the students will leave for their respective academies in just over a week.

Valencia High graduate Andrew Gerdes will report to West Point on June 30. Planning to study history, the 19-year-old said he hopes to become an Army Ranger.

``The idea that I can be part of an elite fighting force and make a better impact on the world, even if it requires blood and sacrifice, I'm looking forward to the whole process. I'm very nervous, but also very excited,'' Gerdes said.

Kenneth Wolfe joined the Army shortly after graduating from Canyon High in 2001. After being stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., the aspiring helicopter pilot said he's ready for a new challenge when he reports to West Point on July 11.

For his parents, however, balancing feelings of anxiety with pride for their son requires effort - father Ken Wolfe described the feeling as ``cold anxiety.''

``We're definitely nervous,'' said Terry Wolfe, Kenneth's mother. ``But we understand that anyone can get killed at any time. My nephew was killed in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. You don't expect to get that kind of phone call.''

Each year, members of Congress nominate students from their districts for appointment to the academies.

McKeon's nominees selected for appointment this year include:

West Point:

--Kenneth Wolfe, Canyon High

--Shane Robinson, Hart High

--Andrew Gerdes, Valencia High

--Brett Newman, Hart High

--Marcus Brooks, Antelope Valley High

Naval Academy:

--Megan Mahler, Canyon High

--Yvonne Curtis, Hart High

--Frank Robinson, Palmdale High

--Candace Rodela, Chaminade High

Air Force Academy:

--James Grayen, Santa Clarita Christian School 

--James Rodriguez, Highland High

Amy Raisin, [phone]

amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color -- ran in SAC edition only) Congressman Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, center, stands with Santa Clarita Valley teens who have won appointments to military service academies. Pictured are, front row from left: Andrew Gerdes, Brett Newman, Megan Mahler, Candace Rodela and Frank Robinson; back row from left, James Grayen, Marcus Brooks, Kenneth Wolfe, McKeon, James Rodriguez and Shane Robinson. McKeon joined the teens at a luncheon at Santa Clarita City Hall on Saturday.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer