Lavallette

Lavallette Teen Gets Congressional Send-Off to West Point

by
Daniel Nee
June 27, 2025

From left: Rep. Chris Smith, Pastor Shawn Hyland, Olivia Palutis of Ocean Township (Monmouth County), Aidan Gravelli of Middletown, Ryan Olmeda of Middletown, Jake Dembowski of Middletown, Morgan Zylinski of Lavallette, and Major General (ret.) Tom Garrett. Not pictured: Leila Castell of Shrewsbury Borough, Katrina Conti of Lacey, and Christina Liggio of Colts Neck. (Photo: U.S. Rep. Chris Smith)

A recent high school graduate from Lavallette was greeted by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith on Friday, celebrating his acceptance to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., along with other students from the Shore area who will be attending the nation’s elite armed services academies.

Morgan Zylinski, of Lavallette, graduated from the Ocean County Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) high school this year, and has worked for multiple summers as a lifeguard at the borough’s bay and ocean beaches. She is one of two Ocean County students to be accepted to military academies this year, along with Katrina Conti, of Lacey Township, who will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The two Ocean County students were joined by six of their peers from Monmouth County and other portions of Smith’s district for a ceremony honoring their achievements.

“I consider it one of my greatest honors as a Member of Congress to nominate the most capable and extraordinary students from my district to attend the service academies,” said Smith who hosted the ceremony at his office in Toms River. “Each academy uniquely prepares its graduates to lead others in uniform in the defense of our nation — and I am consistently impressed with the qualities and dedication that these young women and men bring to the process.”

At the ceremony, Smith presented each student with an American flag flown over the United States Capitol in their honor, and he met with dozens of family members and well-wishers.

“It is a high honor and privilege to join your parents, family and friends in congratulating each of you on a truly remarkable achievement — you have all been chosen through a rigorous selection process to attend one of the prestigious United States Service Academies,” Rep. Smith told the future cadets and midshipmen. “Thanks to each of you for your willingness and commitment to serve. As you become America’s leaders of the most important fighting force on earth, know that our hopes and prayers are with you. I, and all of us, deeply respect your hard work that brought you to this day.”

Among the distinguished guests at the ceremony was keynote speaker Col. Russell Gheesling, Commander of the 87th Civil Engineer Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, who shared inspirational lessons in leadership gathered from his more than 20 years in uniformed service.

In order to attend the prestigious military, naval, air force or merchant marine academy, in addition to being accepted based on their academic, medical, physical and high school records, students must receive a nomination from either their Member of Congress, U.S. Senator, the President or Vice President, among other nominating sources. The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination.

Attending the United States Military Academy at West Point are:

Leila Castell of Shrewsbury Borough, a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School;
Jake Dembowski of Middletown, who graduated from Middletown South High School; and
Morgan Zylinski of Lavallette, who graduated from the Ocean County Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES).

Attending the United States Naval Academy are:

Aidan Gravelli of Middletown, who attended the Monmouth County Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST);
Christina Liggio of Colts Neck, a Red Bank Catholic graduate;
Nathan Olmeda of Middletown, who graduated from MAST; and
Olivia Palutis of Ocean Township (Momouth County), who also graduated from MAST.

Attending the United States Air Force Academy is: