Donnelly Announces 2018 Service Academy Nominations

Last updated on Wednesday, December 20, 2017

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly announced his 2018 nominations for admittance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD.

Donnelly was honored to nominate 29 students to the Military, Air Force and Naval Academies. The nominees, along with their hometowns, are listed below:

Military Academy

Ryan Alt, Greenwood
Seth Bolden, Fishers
James Boso, Indianapolis
Carter Davis, Fort Wayne
Matthew Kiesel, Evansville
Sean Rogers, Plainfield
Carson Smith, Lafayette
Evan Snyder, Logansport
Joshua Thombleson, Martinsville

Air Force Academy

Korie Berdine, Valparaiso
Elijah Edwards, Columbus
Staci Gibson, Indianapolis
Andrew Graef, Bloomington
Ella Kenninger, Camby
Joseph Leistner, Whiteland
Katherine O'Shea, Munster
Ethan Piergalski, LaPorte
Drew Priest, Santa Claus
Benjamin Vorisek, Carmel

Naval Academy

Finn Anderson, Columbus
Brett Boswell, Bargersville
Adam Davis, Granger
Braden Delaney, Valparaiso
Sophie Fox, Evansville
Joseph Haines, Indianapolis
Edward Howell, Carmel
Max Parent, Indianapolis
Jake Rodgers, Culver
Brogan Welch, Greenville

Donnelly said, "Our young men and women who attend our nation's service academies exemplify the best of Hoosier values. As Indiana's Senator, it is my honor every year to nominate outstanding young men and women to our service academies, and if accepted, I know they will serve our country with dignity and excellence. Thank you to everyone who applied for your desire to serve and protect our nation." The individuals chosen were evaluated using a competitive system recommended by the academies. The selection process includes a personal interview by 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. High school students interested in applying next year or in the years ahead for a service academy can visit Donnelly's website (www.donnelly.senate.gov) for more information.

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