December 27, 2012

Manchin Announces Service Academy Nominations

Recommends 34 students from 21 counties

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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