Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today her nominations of Long Islanders to the nation’s leading service institutions – the United States Air Force, Military, and Naval 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 Service 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:
Long Island
Samantha Picco (Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County) United States Military Academy at West Point.
Jake Gnieser (Dix Hills, Suffolk County) United States Military Academy at West Point.
Ryan Ballester (East Moriches, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Larissa Bellavia (Mattituck, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Garrett Boyce (Sayville, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Kerri Hands (Orient, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Brandon Fiordelisi (Huntington, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Codi Mullen (Wading River, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Rebecca Cruz (Selden, Suffolk County) United States Naval Academy.
Daniel O’Neill (Medford, Suffolk County) United States Air Force Academy.
Matthew Miller (Smithtown, Suffolk County) United States Air Force Academy.
Daniel Alotta (West Islip, Suffolk County) United States Air Force Academy.
Robert Tirrito (Centerport, Suffolk County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Victoria Folz (West Islip, Suffolk County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Joshua Weldon (Babylon, Suffolk County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Matthew Pluhowski (East Patchogue, Suffolk County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Rose Lee (Great Neck, Nassau County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
James Hundertmark (East Williston, Nassau County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Stephen McGuire (East Rockaway, Nassau County) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Brett Dadiego (Baldwin, Nassau County) United States Air Force Academy.
Kelsey O’Brien (Massapequa, Nassau County) United States Naval Academy.
Michael Romano (Plainview, Nassau County) United States Naval Academy.