Congressman Joyce Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations for the Class of 2025

Altoona, PA Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) today announced that 28 students from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District have received nominations for the U.S. Service Academies. These students, if they receive an appointment directly from an academy, will have the opportunity to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

"It is an honor to recognize outstanding students who are pursuing the call to serve our nation," said Dr. Joyce. "The U.S. Service Academies equip young men and women with an unparalleled education and provide outstanding preparation for the leaders of tomorrow. After years of hard work and preparation, these students have demonstrated their desire to lead, grow, and serve. It was my privilege to nominate these 28 Pennsylvanians to attend our excellent service academies, and I wish each of them every continued success."

Students living in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District who received a Congressional nomination for an appointment to one or more of the service academies include:

U.S. Naval Academy
Sienna Chippie, Somerset County - Windber Area High School
Ashton Dull, Bedford, County - Bedford High School
Riley Hammond, Adams County - Gerstell Academy
Jordan Love, Somerset County - Somerset High School
Emily Malesky, Adams County- Delone Catholic High School
Caroline McClain, Somerset County - Windber Area High School
Luke Moore, Adams County - Adams County Christian Academy
Connor Quinlisk, Westmoreland County - Derry Area High School
Aurelia Santoya, Adams County - Gettysburg Area High School
Hayden Walker, Franklin County - Waynesboro Area High School

U.S. Air Force Academy
James Buchheit, Fulton County - Kolbe Academy
Gianna Copelli, Westmoreland County - Derry Area High School
Allison Dunlap, Adams County - Gettysburg Area High School
Aaron Jones, Franklin County - Waynesboro Area Senior High School
Luke Manning, Franklin County - St. Maria Goretti High School
Luke Myers, Franklin County - Shalom Christian Academy
Nathan Rupp, Blair County - Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School
Grace Sedewar, Westmoreland County - Ligonier Valley High School
Derek Sisto, Blair County - Altoona Area High School
Hayden Walker, Franklin County - Waynesboro Area High School

U.S. Military Academy
Nicholas Carpenter, Adams County- Delone Catholic High School
Gianna Copelli, Westmoreland County - Derry Area High School
Ashton Dull, Bedford County - Bedford High School
Allison Dunlap, Adams County - Gettysburg Area High School
Sarah Fink, Cumberland County - Shippensburg Area Senior High School
Brian Johnson, Blair County - Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School
Jordan Love, Somerset County- Somerset High School
Grace Sedewar, Westmoreland County - Ligonier Valley High School
Hayden Walker, Franklin County - Waynesboro Area High School
Lauren Wetzel, Franklin County - 21st Century Cyber Charter School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Connor Brown, Adams County - Littlestown Senior High School
Gabe Dabkowski, Allegheny County - James I. O'Neill High School
Ryan Hart, Adams County - Bermudian Springs High School
Jordan Love, Somerset County - Somerset High School
Meagan McHale, Franklin County - Chambersburg Area Senior High School
Adam Muir, Blair County - Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School
Luke Myers, Franklin County - Shalom Christian Academy
Grace Sedewar, Westmoreland County - Ligonier Valley High School

All prospective students wishing to attend an academy must by nominated by a Member of Congress or another U.S. official. These PA-13 students were evaluated by a panel of U.S. Service Academy alumni who volunteered to serve our district in this capacity. Congressman Joyce nominated students upon the recommendation of this expert panel.

"The Service Academy Panel is comprised of dedicated individuals who have served our nation with distinction, and I am grateful for their continued service to our community. Securing a nomination for a U.S. Service Academy is a competitive process, and no one is better suited to recommend candidates than these alumni. I offer each one my sincere thanks for helping to select the next class of service academy nominees from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District," added Dr. Joyce.

The PA-13 Academy Panel includes:

Todd Alexander, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy
Michael DelGrosso, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy
Dave Diedrich, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy
Rod Edminston, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy
Ed Moe, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Jayme Orr Rhodes, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy
Steven Sims, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy
Col. Andrew "Colby" Short of Allegheny County, currently serving in the U.S. Corps of Engineers
Bill Ward, Jr. of Blair County, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy

All nominees from PA-13 will be vigorously evaluated by the academies before they receive a possible appointment, which are announced on a rolling basis.