Press Releases

WILMINGTON, DE – Today, Congresswoman Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) announced that she has nominated 26 Delaware students for admission to United States Service Academies for the Class of 2023. Each year, members of the United States Congress are charged with nominating top candidates for attendance at four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Nominees must now be accepted by the academies to gain admittance.

“Our nation is a shining example of freedom because of the dedicated young men and women who answer the call to defend and protect the rights and values we hold dear,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “Serving our country in the armed forces requires courage and a commitment to a higher purpose, which is why I am honored to nominate these deserving students to our prestigious service academies. I want to thank all of our nominees for coming forward to build a better future for all our families. I wish them the very best in this new and exciting chapter in their lives.”

Blunt Rochester selected the 26 students for 39 nominations through the counsel of a selection panel that was comprised of several community members, including retired servicemembers.

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester’s nominations to the United States Military Academy in West Point:

• Grace Snyder of Selbyville, Indian River High School
• John Clatworthy of Hockessin, Charter School of Wilmington
• Aspen Ozer of Dover, Dover High School
• Suryanuj Gupta of Bear, MOT Charter High School
• James Murphy of Wilmington, Charter School of Wilmington
• Tamon Hamlett of Newark, MOT Charter School
• Noah Lewis of Frederica, Caesar Rodney High School
• Donovan Hodge of Newark, Newark Charter School
• Charles Nyakundi of Newark, Christiana High School
• Andrew Smith of Harrington, Lake Forest High School

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester’s nominations to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis:

• Seth Bale of Hockessin, Archmere Academy
• Patrick Spencer of Dagsboro, Indian River High School
• Alexander Horgan of Wilmington, St. Andrew’s School
• Thomas Gill of Magnolia, Dover High School
• Kayla McOwen of Newark, Delaware Military Academy
• John Clatworthy of Hockessin, Charter School of Wilmington
• Gavin Lewis of Wilmington, Delaware Military Academy
• Zachery Caccamo of Middletown, Salesianum School
• Aspen Ozer of Dover, Dover High School
• Chazmere Johnson of Camden, Caesar Rodney High School

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester’s nominations to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs:

• Alexander Horgan of Wilmington, St. Andrew’s School
• Zachery Caccamo of Middletown, Salesianum School
• Aspen Ozer of Dover, Dover High School
• Suryanuj Gupta of Bear, MOT Charter High School
• Dean Poplos of Magnolia, Caesar Rodney High School
• Sydney Jones of Bear, Padua Academy
• Tyjh Weldon of Viola, Polytech High School
• Noah Lewis of Frederica, Caesar Rodney High School
• Donovan Hodge of Newark, Newark Charter School
• Charles Nyakundi of Newark, Christiana High School

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester’s nominations to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point:

• Kayla McOwen of Newark, Delaware Military Academy
• Christopher Marshall of Lewes, Sussex Tech High School
• Thomas Mauk of Hockessin, Delaware Military Academy
• Cody Strehle of Wilmington, Delaware Military Academy
• Gavin Lewis of Wilmington, Delaware Military Academy
• Aspen Ozer of Dover, Dover High School
• Dillon Lavelle of Bear, Delaware Military Academy
• James Murphy of Wilmington, Charter School of Wilmington
• Ashley Thompson of Smyrna, Delaware Military Academy

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