Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Jim Renacci announced that he has nominated 34 Ohio students to the United States service academies. Students are nominated based on their academic performance, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, and character.

“Not just any student qualifies for nomination to a service academy,” said Renacci. “These students represent the best the United States has to offer, and their nomination is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Their decision to serve our country in uniform is admirable, and it is my honor to nominate these outstanding individuals.”

When asked about what his nomination meant to him, Archbishop Hoban High School student Conner Maloy said, “A service academy nomination is a privilege and inspiring opportunity for me to serve the country that I love, while fulfilling my full potential.”

Hannah Werren of GlenOak High School expressed similar sentiments and said, “A nomination would allow me to have the opportunity to put others before myself.  It would fulfill daily goals of helping others by sacrificing my needs while fulfilling a lifetime goal of service and being the best possible version of myself.”

There are five U.S. service academies: The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York; the Military Academy in West Point, New York; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be made by the officials at each respective academy.

The nominees are as follows:

Cuyahoga County

Joseph Cotner, St. Edward High School, United States Military Academy

Robert Funk, St. Edward High School, United States Naval Academy

Adam Gaspar, St. Ignatius High School, United States Naval Academy

Nathan Karr, Strongsville High School, United States Naval Academy

Seamus Kean, North Olmsted High School, United States Air Force Academy

James Keating, Strongsville High School, United States Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

Jacob Klier, Berea-Midpark High School, United States Military Academy

Casey Komar, Olmsted Falls High School, United States Naval Academy

David Kullik, North Olmsted High School, United States Military Academy

Mark Pollack, Strongsville High School, United States Military Academy

Daniel Rush, Normandy High School, United States Military Academy

Curtis Szelesta, St. Edward High School, United States Naval Academy

Gabrielle White, North Royalton High School, United States Military Academy

Tanner Wilson, North Royalton High School, United States Naval Academy

 

Medina County

Aidan Gallagher, Buckeye High School, United States Naval Academy

James Handwerk, Lutheran West High School, United States Air Force Academy

Matthew McMillen, Wadsworth High School, United States Naval Academy

Nicholas Schmeller, Medina High School, United States Naval Academy

Cody Surratt, Wadsworth High School, United States Air Force Academy

 

Stark County

Griffin Baumoel, United States Naval Academy

Reed Davis, North Canton Hoover High School, United States Naval Academy

Devin Flagg, Jackson High School, United States Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

Franklin Shew, Jackson High School, United States Naval Academy

Grace Werren, GlenOak High School, United States Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

Hannah Werren, GlenOak High School, United States Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

 

Summit County

Shaun Cox, Manchester High School, United States Military Academy

Robert Elkins, Green High School, United States Military Academy

Michael Hercules, Manchester High School, United States Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy

 

Wayne County

Christopher Cannon, Wooster High School, United States Naval Academy

Rory Chabak, Waynedale High School, United States Military Academy

Devin Cortes, Chippewa High School, United States Military Academy

Austin Haven, E.J. King American High School of Sasebo, Japan, United States Naval Academy and Merchant Marine Academy

John Kelbly, Smithville High School, United States Air Force Academy

Conner Maloy, Archbishop Hoban High School, United States Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

 

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.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Rep. Renacci’s website at: https://renacci.house.gov/index.cfm/academy-nominations