(Feb. 2015) U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently announced her nominations of Upstate New Yorkers to the nation’s leading service institutions – the United States Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine Academies.
A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including: academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the service academies.
“These talented upstate New Yorkers have the distinct core values and unique skillsets that will make them great assets to our nation’s service academies and armed forces,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our service academies cultivate top tier officers who are committed to serving our country. I am hopeful that these accomplished nominees will pursue their dreams and serve in our nation’s armed forces with honor and distinction.”
The United States service academies offer a first class education as well as a chance for young people to serve our country upon graduation, as commissioned officers in the United States Armed Services.
Senator Gillibrand’s nominees are listed by their hometown and Academies:
Western New York
Rachel Golding (Orchard Park, Erie County) –US Air Force Academy
Rochester-Finger Lakes Region
Rosalyn Louk (Rush, Monroe County)-US Military Academy
Wyatt Smith (Honeoye Falls, Monroe County)-US Naval Academy
Southern Tier
Jacob Malloy (Big Flats, Steuben County) – US Air Force Academy
Nawshin Kabir (Kirkwood, Broome County)-US Naval Academy
Central New York Region
Rachel Fairbanks (Jamesville, Onondaga County)-US Naval Academy
Mary Morocco (Marcellus, Onondaga County)-US Naval Academy
Madison Tikalsky (Lee Center, Oneida County)-US Air Force Academy
Shawn Picciott (Syracuse, Onondaga County)-US Merchant Marine Academy
Capital Region
Blake Basmajian (Corinth, Saratoga County)- US Military Academy
Benjamin Denn (Voorheesville, Albany County)- US Military Academy
James MacKrell (Delmar, Albany County)- US Military Academy
James Ferenczy (Coxsackie, Greene County)-US Air Force Academy
James Homan II (Clifton Park, Saratoga County)- US Merchant Marine Academy
Hudson Valley Region
Meaghan McGovern (Congers, Rockland County) – US Military Academy
Robertson “Bo” Phillips (Chappaqua, Westchester County)- US Military Academy
Kyle Waters (Highland Falls, Orange County)- US Military Academy
India June (Nyack, Rockland County)-US Naval Academy
Meng Hsuan Lee (Garnerville, Rockland County)-US Naval Academy
Benjamin Smith (Katonah, Westchester County)-US Naval Academy
Brenna Chen (Pelham, Westchester County)-US Air Force Academy
Ezra Hornik (Yonkers, Westchester County)-US Air Force Academy
Samantha Reed (Cornwall on Hudson, Orange County)-US Air Force Academy
Matthew Bosse (New Windsor, Orange County)-US Merchant Marine Academy