Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand 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.
Senator Gillibrand said, “Our military academies are distinguished by a devotion to honor, courage and commitment. 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
Christian J. Link (East Aurora, Erie County). United States Naval Academy.
Ethan C. Dewart (Barker, Niagara County).United States Military Academy at West Point.
Amy A. Law (Lewiston, Niagara County). United States Air Force Academy.
Rochester-Finger Lakes Region
Trevor J. Speer (Brockport, Monroe County). United States Air Force Academy.
Collin J. O’Shea (Victor, Ontario County). United States Air Force Academy.
Central New York
Allen S. Wikstrom (Aurora, Cayuga County). United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Michael G. Pizzari (Syracuse, Onondaga County). United States Naval Academy.
Capital Region
Douglas P. Swezey (Cohoes, Albany County). United States Naval Academy.
Conor E. O’Malley (Latham, Albany County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Gregory Larsen (Voorheesville, Albany County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Eli Bovenzi (Wynantskill, Rensselaer County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
James B. Millar, III (Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County). United States Air Force Academy.
Christopher T. Fron (Clifton Park, Saratoga County). United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Teegan J. Partridge (Ballston Lake, Saratoga County). United States Air Force Academy.
North Country
Caleb J. Delibasich (Schroon Lake, Essex County). United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Paul Buchanan (Potsdam, St. Lawrence County). United States Air Force Academy.
Hudson Valley
Christina Ritter (Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Opeyemi Ifafore (Middletown, Orange County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Joseph A. Tripodo, III (Middletown, Orange County). United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Nicole M. Castro (Mahopac, Putnam County). United States Naval Academy.
Matthew C. O’Dowd (Congers, Rockland County). United States Naval Academy.
Alexis M. Todaro (Saugerties, Ulster County). United States Air Force Academy.
Hyangshim Kwak (Tarrytown, Westchester County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Kristian Hill (Ardsley, Westchester County). United States Military Academy at West Point.
Benjamin R. Berkey (Chappaqua, Westchester County). United States Naval Academy.
Ariel Coreth (Mount Kisco, Westchester County). United States Naval Academy.
Timothy B. Walsh (Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County). United States Air Force Academy.