November 23, 2020

Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations

Recommends 45 students from across West Virginia

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today that he will nominate 45 West Virginia students from 16 counties 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. This year, Senator Manchin is providing letters of recommendation to students who would like to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy or who are seeking Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships.

“West Virginia has a legacy of military service and sacrifice and I truly believe we are the most patriotic state in the nation. It is my highest honor to recommend 45 of West Virginia’s brightest young men and women to the U.S. Service Academies,” Senator Manchin said. “Each of these students worked hard to earn these nominations and are determined to serve our country. Many are also striving to carry on the proud military heritage of their families. Today, I join all West Virginians in congratulating these hardworking and patriotic students who are committed to becoming our next generation of military leaders.”

The students are from the following 16 counties: Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Ohio, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Wayne, Wirt, and Wood.

Senator Manchin is recommending the following students, in alphabetical order, to the Service Academies. Final admission to the Service Academies is determined by the respective Academy. Students who are offered admission will be announced individually in the coming months.

United States Military Academy at West Point

  • Jason Todd Ashman, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • John Edward Covert, Winfield High School in Winfield, WV
  • Payton Annmarie Derrick, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • John William Hall, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Cullen Andrew Horowicz, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Lexton Tyler Moss, South Charleston High School in South Charleston, WV
  • Emily Grace Pedersen, Parkersburg South High School in Parkersburg, WV
  • Michael David Poe, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Logan Clair Powell from Jackson County, attends Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, WV
  • Rebekah Katherine Rowan, Parkersburg South High School in Parkersburg, WV
  • Xander Drake Shoemake, Frankfort High School in Ridgeley, WV
  • Jacob Patrick Schuck, Active Duty Military Family, from Charleston, WV
  • Ryan Shane Sullivan, Active Duty Military Family, from Fayetteville, WV
  • Lisa Sylvia Sobinovsky, Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV
  • Peyton Thomas Whitt, James Monroe High School in Lindside, WV


United States Air Force Academy

  • Elliott Shepherd Blackwood, Capital High School in Charleston, WV
  • Francesca Jo Burgess, Faith Christian Academy in Martinsburg, WV
  • Nicholas Charles Harbaugh, Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg, WV
  • Emily Nicole Harmon, Wheeling Park High School in Wheeling, WV
  • Justin Jinsol Jun, Marshall University in Huntington, WV
  • Joshua Scott Kilbride, Abeka Christian Home School, from Charles Town, WV
  • Chloe Olivia Munslow, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Benjamin Thomas Maiden, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Riley Randall Nett, University High School in Morgantown, WV
  • Isaac Jordan Roop, Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV
  • Nicholas Reid Shirley, Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg, WV
  • Gina Sofia Sobinovsky, Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV
  • Abby Lynn Turner, Wheeling Park High School in Wheeling, WV
  • Aiden Rush Turney, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV
  • Samuel Antonio Vance, Huntington High School in Huntington, WV
  • Elizabeth Lane Warner, University High School in Morgantown, WV
  • Paul William Gabriel Yeoman, Spring Valley High School in Huntington, WV


United States Naval Academy

  • Jacob Michael Conny, Williamstown High School in Williamstown, WV
  • Jacob Michael Davis, Preston High School in Kingwood, WV
  • Austin James Dempsey, Huntington High School in Huntington, WV
  • Jonathan Christopher Howat, Hurricane High School in Hurricane, WV
  • Ashton Hylton, Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV
  • Thomas Francis Inman, Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg, WV
  • Ethan Drescher Mayo, Randolph-Macon Academy, from Charleston, WV
  • Ty Preston McClung, Scott High School in Madison, WV
  • Jackson Payne Shouldis, Cabell Midland High School in Ona, WV
  • Danielle Marie Quijano, Hurricane High School in Hurricane, WV


United States Merchant Marine Academy

  • Sebastien Luc Morel, Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV
  • Mason Matthew Reddington, Jefferson High School in Shenandoah, WV


Coast Guard Letter of Recommendation

  • Garrett King, serving in the active duty Navy, from Martinsburg, WV