Husted Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominations

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) yesterday announced his first nominations to the United States Service Academies for the academic year beginning in summer 2026.

“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,” said Husted.

“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,” Husted concluded.

The United States maintains five military service academies, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. After evaluating the applicants’ academics, athletics, extra-curricular activities and community service experience, Husted’s office conducted in-person interviews with applicants qualified for academy admission.

Members of Congress can nominate a maximum of 55 students annually, including up to 15 applicants to each of the Air Force, Military and Naval academies, and up to 10 to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. A Congressional Nomination is not necessary for admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy.

The following students from Ohio have received a nomination from Husted as candidates to the service academies:

United States Military Academy
West Point, New York

Jacob Bednar           Columbus, OH

Tejomaya Bheshaj   Fairlawn, OH

Shea Broski               Hudson, OH

Haidyn Bunker         West Farmington, OH

Maegan Chrysler      New Albany, OH

Ellen Erwin                Centerville, OH

Evan Frissora           Dublin, OH

Morgan Hamilton      Columbus, OH

Tiernan Hunter          Columbus, OH

Akash Joshi               Holland, OH

Sophie Lang              Pepper Pike, OH

Daniel McMillan        Gambier, OH

Anica Rane               Cincinnati, OH

Jacob Schleiff           Cincinnati, OH

Kiera Spinelli             Batavia, OH

United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

Mason Altman           Cincinnati, OH

Kylie Bradshaw         Galena, OH

Raine DeAngelis      Westlake, OH

Milli DeVenne            Galena, OH

Connor Durant          Hilliard, OH

Gianni Faiello            Louisville, OH

Derek Fan                 Beachwood, OH

Josiah Haskins         Canal Winchester, OH

Broderick Hicks        Perry, OH

Grayson Houk           Crooksville, OH

Hannah Hunt             Upper Arlington, OH

Dylan Hunter             Westlake, OH

Everett Lynch            Columbus, OH

Connor Schaaf         Cincinnati, OH

Sarah Van Dress      Berea, OH

United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Grant Bauer              Sandusky, OH

Karis Beineke           Marion, OH

Laney Bottemiller     Bellbrook, OH

Colin Broxterman     Cincinnati, OH

Parker Bush              Salem, OH

Phoebe Hamant       Centerville, OH

Halder Hernandez    Springboro, OH

Grady Kinsey New Philadelphia, OH

Mia Lauvray             Coshocton, OH

Milan Lillis                  Upper Arlington, OH

Brady Lynch              Columbus, OH

Coby Miladinovic      Medina, OH

Anderson Rowe        Elyria, OH

Owen Swonger         Perrysburg, OH

Keanu Valdez           Pickerington, OH

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York

Jack Buell                  Pandora, OH

Margaret Bush          Beavercreek, OH

Amira Bzdafka          Pickerington, OH

Kayla Duffee             Bexley, OH

Paul Madden             Mount Sterling, OH

Gavin Minich             Bloomdale, OH

Lillian Schulteis         Columbus, OH

James Swiger           Chesterland, OH

Students who receive a Congressional Nomination to one of the Military Service Academies must still earn admission to their nominated academy and continue to maintain eligibility for that admission until their arrival on campus, including maintaining their excellent records in academics, integrity and physical fitness. They must also successfully complete the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) assessment, among other rigorous requirements.