Newhouse Nominates 18 Central Washington Students to U.S. Military Academies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced that he has nominated 18 students across Central Washington to attend U.S. military service academies including the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. The congressional nominations follow an application process and interview with Rep. Newhouse's military service academy advisory board. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. The final determination for admittance will be made by the respective academies.

"The promising students I have nominated to serve our nation at U.S. military academies this year are among the most accomplished and inspiring young people Central Washington has to offer," said Rep. Newhouse. "They represent the very best of our communities. I would like to thank my service academy advisory board who assisted in reviewing these dedicated applicants. I am confident that we can expect great achievements from all of these individuals in service to their country."

U.S. Military Academy

Liv Aspholm of Winthrop

Liv Aspholm is a senior at Liberty Bell High School. She is the daughter of David and Margo Aspholm.

Jared Ball of Yakima

Jared Ball is a senior at La Salle High School. He is the son of Christopher and Catherine Ball.

Antuan Gonzalez of Yakima

Antuan Gonzalez is a senior at A. C. Davis High School. He is the son of Ricardo and Lorena Gonzalez.

Lauren Leckelt of Kennewick

Lauren Leckelt is a senior at Kennewick High School. She is the daughter of Quentin Leckelt and Rachel Thompson.

Zayne Maughan of Pasco

Zayne Maughan is a graduate of Chiawana High School. He is the son of Derek and Michelle Maughan.

Nicole Porcaro of Richland

Nicole Porcaro is a graduate of Hanford High School and currently attending Marion Military Institute. She is the daughter of Paul and Melissa Porcaro.

Tristan Shulman of Kennewick

Tristan Shulman is a graduate of Southridge High School and currently attending Columbia Basin College. He is the son of Michael and Heather Shulman.

Nicholas Zito of Kennewick

Nicholas Zito is a graduate of Hanford High School and currently attending Texas A&M University. He is the son of Jerald and Eugenia Zito.

U.S. Air Force Academy Nominees

Jared Ball of Yakima

Jared Ball is a senior at La Salle High School. He is the son of Christopher and Catherine Ball.

Cameron Breier of Pasco

Cameron Breier is a senior at Chiawana High School. He is the son of Michael and Camie Breier.

Isaiah Carter of Prosser

Isaiah Carter is a senior and is homeschooled. He is the son of Justin and Katie Carter.

Camylle Jordan Dual Citizen of Winthrop and France

Camylle Jordan is a senior at Georges Duby International High School. She is the Daughter of Reid and Erin Jordan.

Grady Kriskovich of Richland

Grady Kriskovich is a senior at Richland High School. He is the son of Jim and Ellen Kriskovich.

Lauren Leckelt of Kennewick

Lauren Leckelt is a senior at Kennewick High School. She is the daughter of Quentin Leckelt and Rachel Thompson.

Dusty Patterson of Winthrop

Dusty Patterson is a senior at Liberty Bell High School. He is the son of Jeffery and Molly Patterson.

Jonah Raebel of Kennewick

Jonah Raebel is a senior at Kennewick High School. He is the son of James and Jill Raebel.

Nicholas Walkley of Kennewick

Nicholas Walkley is a senior at Washington Virtual Academy. He is the son of Jeffrey and April Walkley.

Andrew Wood of Yakima

Andrew Wood is a senior at West Valley High School. He is the son of Justin and Barbara Wood.

U.S. Naval Academy Nominees

Connor Brown of Richland

Connor Brown is a senior at Hanford High School. He is the son of Dennis and Tamara Brown.

Duncan Gill of Richland

Duncan Gill is a senior at Richland High School. He is the son of Joseph and Kelley Gill.

Lauren Leckelt of Kennewick

Lauren Leckelt is a senior at Kennewick High School. She is the daughter of Quentin Leckelt and Rachel Thompson.

Nicole Porcaro of Richland

Nicole Porcaro is a graduate of Hanford High School and currently attending Marion Military Institute. She is the daughter of Paul and Melissa Porcaro.

Tristan Shulman of Kennewick

Tristan Shulman is a graduate of Southridge High School and currently attending Columbia Basin College. He is the son of Michael and Heather Shulman.

Nicholas Zito of Kennewick

Nicholas Zito is a graduate of Hanford High School and currently attending Texas A&M University. He is the son of Jerald and Eugenia Zito.

Background:

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

For more information about the congressional nomination process, please visit Rep. Newhouse's website or contact Britten Hershberger in Rep. Newhouse's Tri-Cities office at (509) 713-7374.