Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today 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.
“Our Service Academies are distinguished by a devotion to honor, courage and commitment,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am honored to nominate these young, talented New Yorkers who exemplify these core values. It is my hope that the accomplished nominees have the chance to live their dreams and serve in our country’s armed forces with distinction.”
Senator Gillibrand’s nominees are listed by their hometown and Academies:
Western New York
Bridget Kennedy (Grand Island, Erie County) United States Naval Academy
Allison Voll (East Amherst, Erie County) United States Military Academy at West Point
Eric Zielen-Ersing (Buffalo, Erie County) United States Air Force Academy
Rochester-Finger Lakes Region
Daniel Hogestyn (Rochester, Monroe County) United States Military Academy at West Point
Emily Tucker (Rochester, Monroe County) United States Naval Academy
Central New York
Zachary Blanks (Clinton, Oneida County) United States Air Force Academy
Margaret Bushmann (Deansboro, Oneida County) United States Naval Academy
Homer Davis (Syracuse, Onondoga County) United States Air Force Academy
Taylor Maroni (North Syracuse, Onondaga County) United States Military Academy at West Point
Capital Region
Robert Lansing (Menands, Albany County) United States Air Force Academy
Gerald McDonough (Delmar, Albany County) United States Military Academy at West Point
North Country Region
Matthew Whitcomb (Massena, St. Lawrence County) United States Military Academy at West Point
Hudson Valley
Drew Thorpe (Cornwall, Orange County) United States Merchant Marine Academy
Ashley Torres (Newburgh, Orange County) United States Air Force Academy
Nahm Doug Kim (Putnam Valley, Putnam County) United States Military Academy at West Point
Jose Arroyo (Yonkers, Westchester) United States Naval Academy
Helen Robertson (Pelham, Westchester County) United States Naval Academy
Mary Robertson (Rye, Westchester County) United States Naval Academy
Paige Rutkoske (Beacon, Dutchess County) United States Military Academy at West Point