Donnelly Announces 2014 Service Academy Nominations

Press Release

Senator Donnelly today announced his nominations for admittance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Out of the 128 nomination requests he received, Senator Donnelly was able to nominate 10 students per academy. The nominees, along with their hometowns, are listed below:

Military Academy
Gabrielle Alford, Carmel
Derek Biega, Newburgh
William Brooks, Carmel
Kian Geraghty, Columbus
Cole Highum, Carmel
Sarah Nakata, Indianapolis
Lauren Stazinski, Valparaiso
Ryan Tucker, Yorktown
Karol Wegrzyn, Indianapolis
Mitchell Winey, Chesterton

Naval Academy
Emanuel Beer, Leo
Zachary Davis, Granger
John Dever, Bargersville
Patrick Iafrato, Carmel
Nathan Knueven, Lawrenceburg
Julie Martin, Mooresville
John Morrison, Bloomington
Christopher Rath, Crown Point
Jackson Sugar, Zionsville
Ethan Whitaker, Chesterton

Air Force Academy
Timothy Bernier, Nineveh
John Cox, Shelbyville
Ben Delaney, Charlestown
Sean Hall, Marion
Grant Huffman, Columbus
Garrett McKenna, Indianapolis
Shawn Owen, Indianapolis
Hannah Park, Edinburgh
Alondra Rojas, Indianapolis
Jack Weldon, Camby

Merchant Marine Academy
Tanner Cook, Floyds Knobs
Zachary Kanczuzewski, South Bend
Spencer Ragsdale, Culver
Christian Wittendorf, Granger

Donnelly said, "It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to nominate these outstanding young Hoosiers to our nation's service academies. If accepted, these young men and women will receive a top-quality education and will be prepared for successful careers as officers in our military. I want to thank everyone who applied for their desire to serve our country."

The individuals chosen were evaluated using a competitive system recommended by the academies. The selection process includes a personal interview by Senator Donnelly's Service Academy Nominations Committee and a thorough review of the applicant's essays, academic records, letters of recommendation, community involvement, character, and leadership experience.

A congressional nomination is not a guarantee of admission. The final decision will be made by the academy itself following a "whole-person" evaluation that considers a candidate's character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals, and motivation.

If you or someone you know is a high school student interested in applying next year or in the years ahead for a service academy, please visit Senator Donnelly's website (www.donnelly.senate.gov) for more information.

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