Kaptur Honors NW Ohio Service Academy Nominees from Ohio’s 9th Congressional District

Toledo, OH – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) has announced her 2024 nominees from Ohio's 9th Congressional District to the United States Service Academies: the US Military Academy in West Point, NY, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Photos of Congresswoman Kaptur with the nominees, and their families can be found by clicking here.

“I want to thank all of those who sought admission to service academies, knowing that it means putting country above self. As President Kennedy famously said in his inaugural address, ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,’” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “Your initiative to apply for nomination to our service academies shows a true sense of selflessness, and the understanding of the mission of our service academies to prepare the next generation of leaders for our armed forces.”

A Citizen Advisory Committee formed by Congresswoman Kaptur and Chaired by Dr. Michael Ellis, Professor of Medicine at University of Toledo Medical Center, and West Point graduate, selected the nominees from an extensive pool of qualified applicants. The Committee's decisions were based on criteria including the students' leadership potential, academic record, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined by each service academy.

The United States service academies are among the most highly respected institutions of higher learning in the world. They offer young Americans the opportunity to serve our country as commissioned officers in the United States Armed Services upon graduation.

Congresswoman Kaptur's principal nominees are listed below by their school and Service Academies. Service Academy Principal Nominee List:

• Charles Arquette of Sylvania (University of Cincinnati & St. Francis De Sales High School) – US Air Force Academy
• Lillian Kreglow of Milan (Edison High School) – US Air Force Academy
• Natalie Peugeot of Sandusky (St. Mary Central Catholic High School) – US Naval Academy
• Alexandra Morley of Perrysburg (Perrysburg High School) – US Military Academy
• Logan Howe of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview High School) – Merchant Marine Academy

In addition, Rep. Kaptur has named alternates to her principal nominees. Should a principal nominee be unable to matriculate, their alternates will be considered for placement. Their alternate nomination also places each of the students in a national pool to compete for entry to the academies based upon the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular achievements. Alternate nominees for Ohio’s 9th District for 2024 include:

• Kelby Armstrong of Toledo (Notre Dame Academy) alternate to US Military Academy
• Joseph Masiker of Waterville (Anthony Wayne High School) alternate to US Air Force Academy and US Military Academy
• Justin Ruple of Delta (Pike-Delta-York High School) alternate to US Air Force Academy and US Naval Academy
• Austin Wilson of Waterville (Anthony Wayne High School) alternate to US Naval Academy
• Benjamin Tucker of Sylvania (Sylvania Southview High School) alternate to US Military Academy
• Gage Yackee of Wauseon (St. John’s Jesuit High School) alternate to US Navy Academy and Merchant Marine Academy
• Nicholas Banaszak of Toledo (Toledo Central Catholic High School) alternate to US Naval Academy
• Nicholas Zduncyzk of Waterville (Anthony Wayne High School) alternate to US Air Force Academy and US Naval Academy
• Corbin Ridener of Toledo (Whitmer High School) alternate to US Air Force Academy and US Naval Academy
• Ewan Fisher of Perrysburg (Perrysburg High School) alternate to US Air Force Academy

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