Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) has announced his first round of nominations to the United States Service Academies for the academic year starting in summer 2026. The nominees are students from Ohio who have been selected to compete for appointments at one of the nation’s five service academies.
“The nominees I presented to the academies today represent the best of America and carry the strong Ohio values of hard work, discipline, resilience and integrity. They are the exact people we need to be leaders in our Armed Forces and I’m confident their fellow Ohioans will be proud as they carry their passion for service throughout their lives and careers,” Husted said.
“Choosing to serve your nation in the Armed Forces is among the highest callings. I’m proud of these students for their commitment to academics, athletics and service to their community, and I’m honored to nominate them for admission to our service academies,” he added.
The United States operates five military service academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy. Admission requires a nomination from an authorized source such as a Member of Congress, except for the Coast Guard Academy which does not require a Congressional Nomination.
Husted’s office evaluated applicants based on academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and community service experience before conducting in-person interviews with those qualified for academy admission.
Each Member of Congress can nominate up to 55 students per year—up to 15 each for the Air Force, Military, and Naval academies; up to 10 for the Merchant Marine Academy.
The following Ohio students received nominations:
United States Military Academy (West Point): Jacob Bednar (Columbus), Tejomaya Bheshaj (Fairlawn), Shea Broski (Hudson), Haidyn Bunker (West Farmington), Maegan Chrysler (New Albany), Ellen Erwin (Centerville), Evan Frissora (Dublin), Morgan Hamilton (Columbus), Tiernan Hunter (Columbus), Akash Joshi (Holland), Sophie Lang (Pepper Pike), Daniel McMillan (Gambier), Anica Rane (Cincinnati), Jacob Schleiff (Cincinnati), Kiera Spinelli (Batavia).
United States Naval Academy: Mason Altman (Cincinnati), Kylie Bradshaw (Galena), Raine DeAngelis (Westlake), Milli DeVenne (Galena), Connor Durant (Hilliard), Gianni Faiello (Louisville), Derek Fan (Beachwood), Josiah Haskins (Canal Winchester), Broderick Hicks (Perry), Grayson Houk (Crooksville), Hannah Hunt (Upper Arlington), Dylan Hunter (Westlake), Everett Lynch (Columbus), Connor Schaaf (Cincinnati), Sarah Van Dress (Berea).
United States Air Force Academy: Grant Bauer (Sandusky), Karis Beineke (Marion), Laney Bottemiller(Bellbrook ), Colin Broxterman(Cincinnati ), Parker Bush(Salem ), Phoebe Hamant(Centerville ), Halder Hernandez(Springboro ), Grady Kinsey(New Philadelphia ), Mia Lauvray(Coshocton ), Milan Lillis(Upper Arlington ), Brady Lynch(Columbus ), Coby Miladinovic(Medina ), Anderson Rowe(Elyria ), Owen Swonger(Perrysburg ), Keanu Valdez(Pickerington ).
United States Merchant Marine Academy: Jack Buell(Pandora ), Margaret Bush(Beavercreek ), Amira Bzdafka(Pickerington ), Kayla Duffee(Bexley ), Paul Madden(Mount Sterling ), Gavin Minich(Bloomdale ), Lillian Schulteis(Columbus ), James Swiger(Chesterland ).
Students nominated must still complete academy admissions requirements including maintaining high academic standards and physical fitness until arrival on campus. They also need to pass a Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board assessment along with other requirements.