Upstate New York Students Nominated for Service Academies

(Utica, NY – Dec. 2015) U.S. Representative Richard Hanna announced that 13 students from New York’s 22nd Congressional District have been nominated to the nation’s leading service institutions – the United States Air Force, Military, and Naval academies.

Hanna formed a Military Service Academy Committee that is comprised of former military leaders, local business leaders and educators, which interviewed a large group of qualified applicants and then recommended that 13 students be nominated by Hanna. Decisions were based on criteria including: academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the service academies.

Hanna nominated three students for the Air Force Academy; five students for the Military Academy; and five students for the Naval Academy. 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.

“It is a privilege to recommend these 13 students to our nation’s service academies,” Hanna said. “I wish them well in this endeavor and have high hopes for each of them. I would especially like to thank the Academy Committee for its effort to go above and beyond during this process to select our brightest students for this incredible opportunity.”

Hanna’s nominees are listed below:

United States Air Force Academy

George E. Brown, II

Rome Free Academy High School (graduated in 2013)

Currently at United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Wylie and Molli Tinsley, Rome, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Enlisted in United States Air Force after high school; was recommended by commanders to go to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in hopes of attending the Air Force Academy
• Track (indoor and outdoor)
• Football

William T. Lawrence

West Canada Valley Junior/Senior High School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery and Merdith Shearin, Newport, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Track (indoor and outdoor)
• Cross Country
• Taekwondo (black belt)
• Drama Club
• National Honor Society
• Chorus

Robert B. Rauff

Bethpage High School (graduated in 2012)

Currently at United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Viola Rauff, Greene, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Enlisted in United States Air Force after high school; was recommended by commanders to go to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in hopes of attending the Air Force Academy
• National Honor Society
• Drama Club
• Varsity Bowling
• Volunteered at Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteered at Humane Society

United States Military Academy

Jack Matthew Buell

Sherburne-Earlville High School

Parents: Mr. Matthew Buell, Ms. Heather Buell, both of Earlville, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Wrestling (numerous awards and NYS tournaments, Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club, volunteer for “pee-wee” wrestling)
• Football
• Boy’s State
• National Honor Society

Ethan Thomas Evans

Sauquoit Valley Central High School (graduated in 2015)

Currently at Clarkson University

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Elizabeth Evans, Sauquoit, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Received Congressional nomination from Rep. Hanna in 2014 for Military Academy
• Football
• Wrestling
• Track
• Eagle Scout
• National Honor Society
• Attended U.S. Military Academy Leader Experience
• Attended U.S. Naval Academy Leader Seminar
• Works as a lifeguard

Kevin Frega

Cazenovia High School

Parents: Mrs. Christina Frega, Cazenovia, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Football (captain; team just won NYS title)
• Wrestling
• Lacrosse
• Volunteer firefighter
• Middle School Wrestling coach
• Project C.A.F.E. (Community Service Club)

Daniel Keck

Oneida High School (graduated in 2014)

Currently at Mohawk Valley Community College

Parent: Mr. David Keck, Oneida, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Eagle Scout
• Black belt in Okinawan Gojo-Ryu)
• Rotary
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• National Honor Society
• Track
• Works at a paint store

Marcus Robert Koesterer

Cortland Junior-Senior High School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Adrienne Koesterer, Cortland, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• National Honor Society
• Boy Scouts
• Cross Country
• Track
• Theatre
• Lifeguard supervisor
• Works as a host at a restaurant

United States Naval Academy

Robert “Zeke” Durham

Sandy Creek Central High School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Sharon Strong, Lacona, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Class President
• National Honor Society
• Football (captain)
• AP and Honors courses
• Works as a farmhand

Nolan Riley Durr

New Hartford Senior High School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Kimberly Durr, New Hartford, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Cross country
• Track (indoor and outdoor)
• Key Club
• Physical Science Club
• Ecology Club
• National Honor Society
• CYO Basketball
• Skiing

William “Cannon” Lynch

Clinton High School

Parents:

Mr. William Lynch, Rome, N.Y.

Ms. Peggy Craig, Clinton, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Marching Band
• Drama Club
• Football
• Lacrosse
• Bowling
• Volunteer with Rachel’s Warriors

Elliot S. McRoberts

Chenango Forks High School

Parents: Mr. Christopher McRoberts, Chenango, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• National Honor Society (President)
• Boy’s State
• Wounded Warrior Program for Chenango Forks (founder)
• Cross country (captain)
• Track
• Concert, Marching and Jazz Bands
• AP courses

Brandon Murdock

Windsor Central Senior High School

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Matthew and Tracie Murdock, Kirkwood, N.Y.

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Cross country (captain)
• National Honor Society
• Vice President of YES Leads