STUDENTS GET PASS TO MILITARY ACADEMIES.

Byline: Daily News

A dozen graduating high school students in U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon's 25th District won appointments from the congressman to military service academies and preparatory schools.

The 12 - including four from Santa Clarita and five from the Antelope Valley - will attend a reception today hosted by McKeon at Santa Clarita City Hall.

``Each year, thousands of young people apply for admission to our nation's service academies, but only the cream of the crop is offered admission,'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, said in a press release. ``It's truly a remarkable accomplishment that so many of our young people were extended appointments this year, which is a testament to their hard work and commitment to our country.

``These young men and women exemplify the meaning of duty, honor, and excellence, and our entire community should be proud of their accomplishments and their willingness to serve our nation.''

The students offered appointments to the U.S. service academies are:

Sean Abling (Lancaster High School) - Air Force Academy; Anthony Bulaclac (Silverado High School, Victorville) - Military Academy at West Point; Kurt Boehm (Paraclete High School, Lancaster) - Military Academy at West Point; Adam Calka (Paraclete High School) - Air Force Academy; Victoria Castro (Palmdale High School) - Air Force Academy; Yvonne Curtis (Hart High School, Newhall) - Merchant Marine Academy; Carl Harrington (Bishop High School, Bishop) - Merchant Marine Academy; Michael Lindsey (Highland High School, Palmdale) - Naval Academy; James Wolfe (Canyon High School, Canyon Country) - Military Academy at West Point; Kenneth Wolfe (Canyon High School) - Military Academy at West Point.

In addition, the following students have been offered appointments to the United States Service Academy Prep Schools: Mark Bulaclac (Silverado High School) - Merchant Marine Preparatory School; Steve Lee (Valencia High School) - Military Preparatory School.

Each year, members of Congress submit nominations of students from their districts for admission to one of the four service academies - the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Students entering the service academies receive formal military training, a bachelor's degree and an officer's commission in one of the four branches of the military. The students receiving appointments will enter the academies this fall.