On Thursday, Jan. 26, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her 2017 candidate nominations to attend four U.S. service academies: The United States Air Force, Military, Naval, and Merchant Marine academies. This year, 50 New York students were nominated – 13 of which hail from the Hudson Valley region, eight from Westchester County specifically.
The chosen nominees were elected from a large group of applicants. A selection committee, formed by Senator Gillibrand, based their decision on a set of criteria, including academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement.
The nominations do not guarantee acceptance to these institutions. Final acceptance is at the discretion of the individual academy.
“These talented New Yorkers have shown honor, dedication and unique skillsets that will make them great assets to our nation’s service academies and armed forces,” said Gillibrand in a released statement. “I am always honored to nominate courageous men and women with the opportunity to live their dreams and serve in our country’s armed forces.”
The nominees below are listed by hometown and academy:
• Philip Scarano IV (Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Nicholas Goebelbecker (Poughquag, Dutchess County) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Ethan Martell (Verbank, Dutchess County) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Leonard Bowen (Middletown, Orange County) – U.S. Air Force Academy
• Patrick Saavedra (West Haverstraw, Rockland County) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Kevin Moore (Shrub Oak, Westchester County) – U.S. Military Academy
• Nicholas San Martin (Ossining, Westchester County) – U.S. Military Academy
• Erin Glendon (Valhalla, Westchester County) – U.S. Military Academy
• Michael Hiebert (Chappaqua, Westchester County) – U.S. Military Academy
• Kelsey Baron (Peekskill, Westchester County) – U.S. Naval Academy
• Connor Gates (Harrison, Westchester County) – U.S. Naval Academy
• Richard O’Leary III (Croton Falls, Westchester County) – U.S. Naval Academy
• Nicholas Gordon (Rye, Westchester County) – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy