Nolan Catholic Reaches Over 40 Appointments to U.S. Service Academies — and the Next Generation is Rising

Since 1990, Nolan Catholic High School has proudly celebrated 43 graduates, and 48 since 1965, who have earned appointments to one of the five prestigious United States Service Academies:

• The U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• The U.S. Naval Academy

• The U.S. Air Force Academy

• The U.S. Coast Guard Academy

• The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

This extraordinary milestone is more than a number, it is a testament to the strength of Nolan Catholic’s mission: to form bold, faithful leaders who are eager to serve, intellectually excellent, and deeply committed to a life of character and compassion.

These 48 appointments represent the highest levels of academic rigor, physical fitness, and moral integrity. Our graduates have gone on to become military officers, leaders, and faithful servants of their country, all carrying the foundation laid during their time at Nolan Catholic.

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Celebrating Recent Appointments

The tradition continues with recent graduates like Bobby Johnson, who accepted an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy. His achievement adds to the distinguished legacy of Nolan Catholic alumni serving in the nation's military academies .

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Looking Ahead: The Future is Bright with Four Rising Seniors

As we honor the legacy of service and achievement, we also look toward the future and it is shining bright.

Four members of Nolan’s Class of 2026, David Granado, Meg Gillen, Jimmy Suter, and Brigid Connors, have been selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar, a highly competitive and immersive week-long program designed for rising seniors who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership, and interest in serving their country.

Selection to the Summer Seminar is an early indicator of future appointment potential, providing students with a firsthand experience of Naval Academy life. With thousands of applicants nationwide and only a select number accepted, having four Nolan juniors chosen in a single year is a rare and outstanding achievement.

“The Naval Academy Summer Seminar is a powerful opportunity,” said Nolan Catholic Head of School Oscar Ortiz. “It opens doors, challenges our students to grow in leadership and discipline, and continues the tradition of service and excellence our community is known for.”

Esto Dux: Be a Leader

At Nolan Catholic, our commitment to forming servant leaders is alive in every classroom, on every athletic field, and in every student who chooses the path of courage, character, and sacrifice.

To our alumni who have served—and to the future leaders like Bobby, David, Meg, Jimmy, and Brigid—we say: thank you. We’re proud of where you’ve been, and we can’t wait to see where you’ll go.

This is Nolan Catholic. This is Esto Dux.