Press Releases

Chester, PA – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today announced her nominees for appointment to the United States service academies for the Class of 2026. The 31 local high school students were honored by Congresswoman Scanlon during a virtual ceremony on Saturday, February 19.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 

“Getting to know each of these young men and women and their accomplishments makes me very proud to represent such an active and engaged constituency,” said Rep. Scanlon. “The U.S. military academies are among the finest institutions in the world, and I am confident my young constituents' experience at the academies will help shape them into future leaders. I thank all of this year’s nominees for their commitment to serving our country.”

Candidates for nomination were selected by the 5th Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board, led by Col. Jim King (USAF, Ret.), Scott Belveal (USMA ’92), Capt. Harry “Skip” Dittmann (USNA, Ret.), and Cmdr. Jamer Doughty (USN, USMMA ’01).

“The list of candidates this year was outstanding with excellent academic records, leadership roles in school and the community, and participation in school and community sports teams,” noted Capt. Harry “Skip” Dittmann, Chairman of the 5th Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board.

The following students from PA-05 received nominations:

United States Military Academy

• Macallister Kennedy – Garnet Valley High School
• Marcus Lin – Strath Haven High School
• Similoluwa Olaniyi – Penncrest High School
• Brooke Stocku – Episcopal Academy
• Isaiah Tinsley-Cobbs – Cardinal O'Hara High School
• Neo Vossschulte – Episcopal Academy

United States Naval Academy

• Charlotte Caywood – Strath Haven High School
• Liam Duarte – Upper Darby High School
• Robert Esgro – The Haverford School
• Sean Gallagher – Garnet Valley High School
• Kiley Hopkins – Merion Mercy Academy
• Dylan Huffman – Unionville High School
• Marcel Jackson – West Catholic Preparatory High School
• Ethan Johnson – Springfield High School*
• Eliot Keener – Springfield High School
• Matthew Keller – Sun Valley High School
• Daniel-Asher Kirsch – Ridley High School
• Audrey Miller – Springfield High School
• Aden Newman – Harriton High School
• Alexander Orr – The Shipley School
• Justin Quinn – Marple Newtown High School
• Shane Reynolds – Garnet Valley High School
• Matthew Ricci – Garnet Valley High School
• Matthew Sparling – Penncrest High School*
• Peyton Zarzycki – Harriton High School

United States Air Force Academy

• Ethan Johnson – Springfield High School*
• Adam LaFountain – Strath Haven High School
• Nicholas Lucchesi – Radnor High School
• Amelia Ruether – Strath Haven High School
• Matthew Sparling – Penncrest High School*

United States Merchant Marine Academy

• Harry Dozor – Friends Select School
• Caelan McMichael – The Shipley School
• Brendan O'Rourke – Unionville High School

* Nominated to multiple service academies.

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