DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons today announced his U.S. Service Academy nominations for the Class of 2018. Three students have earned the Senator’s principal nomination and will be offered academy appointments should they meet all medical, physical and academic requirements. Because appointments are often offered to many qualified “alternate” nominees as well, Senator Coons has also submitted the names of an additional 24 outstanding young Delawareans for consideration. Senator Coons also nominated ten individuals to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
“Nominating these gifted young men and women to the U.S. Service Academies is a sincere honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously,” Senator Coons said. “The next few years will be challenging – academically, mentally and physically – but I am confident in their ability to rise to the challenge and to come through this experience well-equipped to join the ranks of America’s finest military officers.”
Nominees:
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Principal Nominee: Wyatt Jennings of Townsend, Delaware Military Academy
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Principal Nominee: Christopher Mahoney of Newark, Mt. Sophia Academy
United States Military Academy, West Point
Principal Nominee: Rachel Pennington of Newark, Charter School of Wilmington
Alternate Nominees:
Kyle Breckner of Lincoln, Northwestern Prep School
Kyle Burrus of Middletown, Middletown High School
Ian Cain of Georgetown, Sussex Central High
Connor Castellon of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School
Tyiana Clark of Seaford, Seaford High School
Patrick Coleman of Smyrna, Randolph Macon
Madelyn Crimmins of Millsboro, Delaware State University
Dominic DelRosso of Middletown, Munich International School
Arthur Eng of Bear, Rutgers
Michael Ford of Wilmington, Archmere Academy
Patrick Gallucci of Camden, Caesar Rodney High School
Abidas Girardi of Millsboro, Cape Henlopen High School
Eriq Gloria of Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen High School
Thomas Hundertpfund of Magnolia, Polytech High School
Jon McConomy of Bear, Appoquinimink High School
Benjamin Miller of Laurel, Laurel High School
Kathryn Nichols of Felton, Lake Forest High School
Eric Polk of Newark, New Mexico Military Institute
Ian Powers of Wilmington, Concord High School
Patrick Rigor of Newark, Delaware Military Academy
Robert Rogers of Lewes, Worcester Prep
Natalie Sava of Seaford, Sussex Tech High School
Madison Stark of Felton, Caesar Rodney High School
Daniel Turk of Middletown, Salesianum School
Ethan Yerger of Middletown, Salesianum School
United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point:
Robert Christensen of Harbeson, Sussex Technical High School
John Dean of Milton, Cape Henlopen High School
Adam Desch of Wilmington, Salesianum School
Matthew McGuigan of Bethany Beach, Indian River High School
John Hearn of Lewes, Sussex Technical High School
Matthew Kane of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School
Daniel MacElrevey of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School
Christian Prestipino of Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen High School
Anthony Testa of Hockessin, Delaware Military Academy
Grier Wakefield of Wilmington, Tower Hill High
Senator Coons’ Service Academy Selection Board interviewed each applicant and made recommendations to the Senator. The Board, appointed by the Senator, is comprised of:
LTC Karen Berry
Ted Fischer
Ron Frazier
Heath Gehrke
Scott Kessel
Wanda Lopez
LTC Rita Wiley
COL Gretchen Wiltse
“I am deeply grateful to the members of my Service Academy Selection Board for volunteering their time to interview the talented Delawareans who wanted to serve their country,” Senator Coons said. “Their counsel was invaluable, and I appreciate their service.”