Press Releases

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) announced that she has nominated 21 Delaware students for admission to United States Service Academies for the Class of 2026. 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.

“Attending one of our nation’s service academies is a distinct privilege available to young people in Delaware and across the country interested in serving in our nation’s military,” said Blunt Rochester. “This year’s applicant pull consisted of many outstanding students, and I’m confident that all of this year’s applicants have bright futures ahead. 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 wish them the best as they move forward in their journeys to serve our state and nation.” 

Blunt Rochester selected the 21 students for 40 nominations through the counsel of a selection panel that was comprised of several community members, including active duty and retired servicemembers.

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

• Hayden Pelton of Clayton, Smyrna High School 
• Emily Malone of Townsend, Padua Academy 
• Samrath Singh of Bear, Caravel Academy 
• Madelyn Breitenbach of Seaford, Seaford Senior High School 
• Tamon Hamlett of Newark, MOT Charter High School 
• Rocco Alessandro of Hartley, Caesar Rodney High School 

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

• Hayden Pelton of Clayton, Smyrna High School 
• Emily Malone of Townsend, Padua Academy 
• Samrath Singh of Bear, Caravel Academy 
• Michael Jacob Martin of Wilmington, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 
• Madelyn Breitenbach of Seaford, Seaford Senior High School 
• Joseph Klosiewicz of Georgetown, Sussex Technical High School 
• Kyndall Wyngaard of Middletown, First State Military Academy 
• Joshua Brennan of Wilmington, Delaware Military Academy 
• Seth Lawrence of Middletown, Delaware Military Academy 
• Kenzie Fleming of Wilmington, Archmere Academy 

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

• Hayden Pelton of Clayton, Smyrna High School 
• Emily Malone of Townsend, Padua Academy 
• Vincy Mendoza of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School 
• Kylie Chagaris of Frederica, Lake Forest High School 
• Andres Samson of Wilmington, Salesianum School 
• Katie Stouffer of Dover, Classical Conversations 
• Andrew Tosten of Middletown, Middletown High School 

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

• Joshua Gutzmirtl of Wilmington, Delaware Military Academy 
• Seth Lawrence of Middletown, Delaware Military Academy  
• Kylie Chagaris of Frederica, Lake Forest High School 
• Rocco Alessandro of Hartley, Caesar Rodney High School 
• Jacob Nowaczyk of Wilmington, Archmere Academy 
• Robert Pistoria of Bear, Delaware Military Academy  

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