Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Representative Jim Renacci (OH-16) announced the following students as the 16th District’s nominees for appointment to the United States Service Academies:

“It is an honor to be able to nominate such excellent candidates,” said Rep. Renacci. “While they comprise a diverse group, all of them share a deep love of country and respect for our cherished freedoms. I wish them the best of luck as they seek admission to our military academies and in all of their future pursuits.”

Nominees participated in a thorough application process where factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, and character were taken into consideration. Nomination to a Service Academy by Rep. Renacci does not ensure a student will be accepted. Students who were nominated to multiple academies will choose which to attend should they be admitted to more than one institution.

The following student has received an appointment:

Nicole Hadler, 17, of Medina, Ohio is the daughter of Gary and Elizabeth Hadler. She is a captain on the Highland High School tennis team and cross country team. Nicole has volunteered as a hymn accompanist, camp counselor, assistant tennis instructor, peer leader, and National Honor Society tutor. She is also involved with Volunteer Opportunities for Teens, D.A.R.E., and Against Violence Stay True. Nicole has a Conditional Offer of Appointment from the U.S. Naval Academy.

The following students were nominated:

Caleb Amposta, 17, of Wadsworth, Ohio has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Caleb is on the swimming team and participates in Young Life (Senior Leader), Key Club (Vice President), and Spanish Club. He also works a part time job and coach’s middle school basketball. Caleb has also attended Buckeye Boys State and the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. His parents, Alvin Amposta and Marcy Headley, were both members of the United States Air Force. Caleb has a desire to help and serve others.

Adam Barnard, 18, of Wooster, Ohio is the son of James and Melinda Barnard. Adam has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He attends Wooster High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society. Adam is a four year letterman of the men’s lacrosse team and a captain his junior year. He has also spent four years in the Marching band. Adam is a past member of Junior Leadership and Buckeye Boys State. Joining the military has been a goal of his since the sixth grade.

Ross Batchelder, 18, of Canton Ohio attends Ohio State University where he is a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Ross has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the son of James and Jacquie Batchelder and both of his grandfathers served in the United States Navy. Ross was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and received the Flight Academic Ace Award. He was the president of the National Honor Society and Chemistry Club. Ross was a two year captain of the track team for Jackson High School.

Stephen Beckwith, 18, of Uniontown, Ohio is the son of Lawrence and Beverly Beckwith. Both of his grandfathers served in the military along with an uncle and cousin. Stephen is an accomplished musician and student from North Canton Hoover High School. He is a member of the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and plays the violin, piano, saxophone, and oboe. Stephen attended both the U.S. Air Force seminar and the U.S. Navy summer seminar. Stephen has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Rachel Blocher, 17, of Paris, Ohio is the daughter of Tim and Theresa Blocher. She is a captain of her basketball and soccer teams. Rachel was a two time Northeastern Buckeye Conference Scholar Athlete in both sports. She is on the yearbook staff, junior prom committee, Key Club, International Circle, National Honors Society, Student Council, and Drama Club. Rachel was also elected president of the Stark County District Student Council. Rachel has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Mitchell Briggs, 19, the son of Jody and Timothy Briggs from Canton, Ohio graduated with honors from Perry High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was a member of the wrestling, swimming, track, and water polo teams. Mitchell has volunteered as a counselor with the Arc of Stark County, as a little league umpire, and served through his church’s mission trips. He is currently involved with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Kent State University.

Ryan Gallagher, 18, of Medina, Ohio, the son of Charles and Victoria Gallagher has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. His father was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and his grandfather is WWII veteran. Ryan is an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honor Society, Freshman Mentor Program, HUDDLE, and the Medina County Junior Leadership Program. He has attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar and received the West Point Leadership Award. Ryan is a team captain in cross country and Track and Field, receiving All-Ohio honors for both.

Christopher George, 18, of Wadsworth, Ohio is the son of David and Kimberly George. Christopher has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. He has a great-grandfather that served in WWII and another great-grandfather that served in WWI. Christopher has participated in Safety Town, Science Club, and Buckeye Boys State. He is on the wrestling and track and field teams at Wadsworth High School. Christopher is also the captain of his robotics team. He volunteers at Vacation Bible School and as the head teen at Safety Town.

Lane Kubicki, 17, of Medina, Ohio, the son of Ian and Jacqueline Kubicki has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. His father retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. Lane is a member of the Highland High School Robotic and Technology Team, Grace Church Youth Group, and a member of Key Club. He is a three year member of his high school wrestling team. Lane also participated in Buckeye Boys State and the University of Akron’s IT Camp.

Seth Lamp, 18, of Louisville, Ohio is the son of Jeff and Brenda Lamp. Seth has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Seth is a student at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He has participated in baseball and basketball during high school. Seth has volunteered for the Alliance Lions Club Rose Day, the Canton Marathon, the St. Louis Church Festival, and the Community Christmas Giving Tree. He is involved with Key Club, student ambassador, and serving as a Eucharistic minister. Outside of school, Seth works for Blevins & Blevins, Inc.

William Liairson, 18, of Louisville, Ohio, the son of Cliff and Linda Lairson who both graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. At Louisville High School, William was an NBC Scholar athlete for the basketball and football teams, while also being selected as the senior captain for the basketball team. He received the Archie Griffin Award and United States Scholar Athlete Award.

Kamrun Morrison, 17, of North Canton, Ohio is the son of Rickey and Lillian Morrison. Kamrun is a student at Hoover High School has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. He is a three year member of the track and field team. Additionally, he has participated in the Spanish club, the math club, football, and an ultimate Frisbee church league. He is a leader of a Bible study group, in addition to volunteering for the Gandhi Ahimsa peace walk. Kamrun has working alongside his brother to create a snow removal business assisting elderly neighbors for the past three years.

Micah Morrison, 17, of North Canton, Ohio, the son of Rickey and Lillian Morrison has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. Micah is a descendent of a military background with his father attending United States Military Academy and his mother attending the United States Air Force Academy. Micah attends Hoover High School where he has been involved in track and field, football, Student Council, leadership club, and young life. Outside of school, Micah works at Taco Bell, is a Bible study leader, and is co-owner of a snow removal business assisting elderly neighbors with his brother.

Gabriela de Peralta, 18, of Alliance, Ohio is the daughter of Claudio and Celine de Peralta. Her maternal grandfather and uncle were in the Philippine Army, while her grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle were members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Gabriela has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Gabriela is a member of the marching band, concert band, and environmental club. She was all Stark County on the swim team and was previously a member of the tennis and track teams. Gabriela has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Hammer and Nails, and sings in local church masses.

Michael Renner, 20, of Uniontown, Ohio, the son of Thomas and Michele Renner has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Currently Michael is attending Vassar College where he has participated in varsity men’s swimming, taking music lessons, and training for a triathlon. While attending Hoover High School, Michel was involved in the Canton Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Hoover High School Orchestra, National Honors Society, Buckeye Boys State, varsity swimming, and Student Council President.

Jacob Riley, 18, of Minerva, Ohio, the son of Michael and Shawn Riley has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jacob is currently attending Minerva High School where he has served as a four year member of Student Council, a District Student Council Representative, a member of National Honors Society, a member of the Key Club, and a Big Lion/Little Lion mentor. He has played football all four years of high school and served as the varsity captain his senior year. During his high school career Jacob also played basketball and ran track and field. Jacob was named Academic All-Ohio his junior year, an NBC Scholar Athlete three years in a row, and was named WHBC Team MVP his junior year in football.

Stuart Svetlak, 17, of Canton, Ohio is the son of Stephen and Sheryl Svetlak. Stuart attends Central Catholic High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football and served as the captain of his varsity football team. With over 150 community service hours, Stuart has volunteered at Hammer and Nails and participated in Crusaders for the Community. He is a member of the Foreign Language Club and the Recycling Club. Stuart has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Ryan Vagedes, 17, of Canton, Ohio is the son of Joseph and Carolyn Vagedes. Ryan has volunteered nearly 400 volunteer hours throughout his high school career to organizations like Hammer and Nails, the Salvation Army, and St. John’s Soup Kitchen. He is an Eagle Scout, a member of National Honors Society, a member of the Jazz Band, the Swing Choir, a Student Council Officer, and participates in youth ministry. Ryan participated in soccer, varsity swimming and varsity tennis at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Ryan has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.

Andrew Worth, 17, of Wooster, Ohio is the son of Troy and Deana Worth. Andrew comes from a military family, with a Grandfather who served as a Marine during the Vietnam Conflict and a Great-Grandfather who was in the Army during World War II. Throughout his time at Wooster High School he participated in wrestling as a three year letter winner, a member of the marching band, the concert band, and the jazz band, in addition to his participation in National Honors Society, the Drama and History clubs. Andrew has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.

Andrew Wuellner, 19, of Medina, Ohio the son of Michael and Barbara Wuellner has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. He is currently enrolled at The University of Akron Army ROTC program. Andrew served as the varsity team captain of his tennis team at Highland High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council President, and the Latin Club. He dedicated over 150 volunteer hours of service to organizations Hit the Mark Ministries, Medina County Historical Society, and Akron Children’s Hospital.

Rep. Renacci is serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is a member of the Financial Services Committee and the Budget Committee. Prior to his election he worked as a Certified Public Accountant in the health care industry, and owned and operated over 60 other businesses in the automotive and sports management fields.

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