Donnelly Announces 2017 Service Academy Nominations

Last updated on Saturday, December 17, 2016

(INDIANAPOLIS) - U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly announced his 2017 nominations for admittance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Donnelly was honored to nominate 34 students this year.

The nominees, along with their hometowns, are listed below:

U.S. Military Academy

Nathan Batta, Batesville

Liam Jagow, Westfield

Brad Laughlin, Yorktown

Richard Liu, Columbus

Carson Smith, Lafayette

Corbin Smith, Bargersville

Benjamin Snyder, Carmel

Victoria Styers, Plymouth

Michael Wang, Carmel

Jakob Young, Plymouth

U.S. Air Force Academy

Olivia Benz, Carmel

Joseph Haines, Indianapolis

Morgan Hicks, Muncie

Kevin Johnsen, Summitville

Mitchell Lipe, Carmel

Matthew Mark, Indianapolis

Katie Murphy, Marion

Jackson Swain, Columbus

Matthew White, Greenwood

Landon Zachary, Anderson

U.S. Naval Academy

Parker Bull, Huntertown

Elizabeth Downing, West Lafayette

Kenneth Klimek, South Bend

Joseph Lecher, Carmel

Brian Lenyo, South Bend

Claire Martinez, Lowell

Logan McGuire, Granger

Chloe Owen, Indianapolis

Sierra Salerni, Culver

Daniel Yu, Granger

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Judson Andonov, Munster

Baker Howard, Greensburg

Colton Schuler, Plymouth

Jacob Schuller, Kirklin

Donnelly said, "Each year, it is an honor to nominate young Hoosier men and women to our nation's service academies. I am very proud of their dedication and commitment to serving our country, and if accepted, I know they will receive a quality education and be prepared for successful careers in our military. I want to thank everyone who applied for their 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. Donnelly received a total of 107 nomination requests this year.

A congressional nomination is not a guarantee of admission. The final admission decision will be made by each individual academy 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 nomination can visit Donnelly's website (www.donnelly.senate.gov) for more information.

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