Charleston, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he will nominate 34 West Virginia students to the U.S. service academies, which include the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point.
“I am so honored to recommend 34 of our state’s brightest young men and women to the U.S. service academies,” Senator Manchin said. “All of our students worked hard to earn these nominations and are determined to serve our country and some are striving to carry on their families’ proud military heritage as well. A nomination to one of these service academies is such an honor because these institutions are developing the next generation of military leaders.”
The students are from the following counties: Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Doddridge, Grant, Harrison, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mason, Marshall, Marion, Mingo, Monongalia, Ohio, Pocahontas, Putnam, Ritchie, Taylor, Wyoming and Wood.
“Our selection process was extensive, from grading students’ classroom performance to leadership abilities to their work in their communities,” Manchin added. “I am confident that these young men and women will make our state proud and as always, I wish these students the very best in their future endeavors.”
Senator Manchin is recommending the following students to the service academies. Final admission is determined by the respective academy.
Air Force Academy
Ryan Graf, Jefferson High School
Quentin Buckley, Poca High School
Chris Unger, Langley High School (father stationed in Virginia), from Ohio County
Andrew Bruffy, West Virginia University, from Monongalia County
Skyler Terrell, Parkersburg High School
Alex Brown, Martinsburg High School
Nick Marcum, Scott High School
Adam Pauley, Petersburg High School
Jon Massile, Point Pleasant High School
David “Jonah” Sneeringer, Winfield High School
Military Academy at West Point
Samantha Harris, Charleston Catholic High School
Katie Warner, University High School
Derek Hamman, Pocahontas High School
Kelsie Burns, Huntington High School
Sean Dennison, Home School, from Lewis County
Andrew Parker, Wiesbaden High School (father stationed in Germany), from Monongalia
County
Cameron Davis, Westside High School
William Mohr, Petersburg High School
Daniel Gaston, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (father stationed in Germany), from Ritchie County
Michael Palkovic, West Virginia University, from Ohio County
Naval Academy
Joseph Gentile, Hedgesville High School
Caleb Moore, Doddridge County High School
Christian Smith, Home School, from Kanawha County
Luisa Holland, Jefferson High School
Mason Winkie, Bridgeport High School
Tyler Lucas, Tug Valley High School
Raymond Isner, Grafton High School
Forrest Welsh, WT Sampson High School (father stationed in Cuba), from Marshall County
Jack DeVault, East Fairmont High School
Alec Buchmelter, Brooke High School
Merchant Marine Academy
Caleb Barnette, George Washington High School
Charlie Hageboeck, George Washington High School
Kimberly Smith, Jefferson High School
Kyler Martin, Hedgesville High School
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