On Friday, May 20, Congressman Jim McGovern hosted a reception honoring the 2011 military academy appointees from the Massachusetts Third Congressional District.

William Hegarty of Northborough, a student at Algonquin Regional High School, has been appointed to the Naval Academy and was among those honored.

Hegarty is one of the captains of the varsity lacrosse team and has been presented with several leadership awards.  He is also president of the school's Habitat for Humanity Club and has served as the only non-adult member of the Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee while maintaining academic goals. His goal is to become a U.S. Navy Seal.  He will be joining sisters, Emily and Elizabeth, who are both midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

"The commitment to our country and dedication to leadership and hard work demonstrated by these young adults is inspiring and admirable," said Congressman McGovern at the reception.

"The service academies are among the most physically and mentally challenging opportunities available for high school graduates, but I believe that these eight individuals represent the best of Massachusetts, and will emerge as outstanding leaders."

The reception for over 30 people, attended by appointees from 2010 and 2011 and their families, was hosted at Congressman McGovern's Worcester District Office.

Each year, Representative McGovern nominates deserving high school graduates from the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts for consideration for appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.  The competitive selection process is based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular involvement, leadership traits, motivation, and aptitude for military service.

Submitted by Scott Zoback, press secretary for Congressman McGovern