Press Releases

PORTLAND, Maine—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced her office’s nominees to the United States Service Academies—the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress.

“This group represents some of Maine’s best and brightest. They have all demonstrated exceptional leadership, high academic standards, and a passion for helping others,” said Pingree.  “Whatever happens from here, they should all be proud of themselves. We are lucky that they have chosen to offer their talents in service to the country, and it’s an honor to nominate them.”

The nominees were interviewed by a panel of six on their academic record, test scores, leadership ability, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and exemplified commitment to serving their country.

Pingree nominated several students to more than one academy.  The full list of nominations is below.  Contact information is available upon request.

United States Naval Academy – Annapolis

• Matthew Bellantoni, Gorham, Cheverus High School
• Landon Bickford, Gorham, Gorham High School
• Nathan Coleman, Wells, Wells High School
• Owen Frank, Pownal, North Yarmouth Academy
• Steven Fulton, Yarmouth, Yarmouth High School
• Lev Giffune, Cumberland, Greely High School
• Mary Hauser, Kennebunk, Kennebunk High School
• Hudson Holden, Harpswell, Mt. Ararat High School
• Camden Hom, South Portland, Cheverus High School
• Benjamin Keller, Falmouth, Falmouth High School 
• Mia-Claire Kezal, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Catherine McClellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Keegan McKenney, Cape Elizabeth, Cape Elizabeth High School 
• Ryan Moore, Cumberland Foreside, Greely High School
• Don Strawbridge, North Yarmouth, Greely High School 
• Liam Sullivan, Berwick, St. Thomas Aquinas
• George Theall, Portland, Portland High School
• Leska Whitmarsh, North Yarmouth, Cheverus High School

United States Military Academy – West Point

• Owen Frank, Pownal, North Yarmouth Academy
• Mary Hauser, Kennebunk, Kennebunk High School
• Mia-Claire Kezal, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Aidan Larrabee, South China, Erskine Academy
• Andrei Llanto, Waterville, Messalonskee High School
• Catherine McClellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Joseph Neal, York, York High School
• Emmaline Pendleton, Buxton, Bonny Eagle High School
• Leska Whitmarsh, North Yarmouth, Cheverus High School
• Elijah Wyatt, Gorham, Gorham High School

United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs

• Matthew Bellantoni, Gorham, Cheverus High School
• Owen Frank, Pownal, North Yarmouth Academy
• Steven Fulton, Yarmouth, Yarmouth High School
• Mary Hauser, Kennebunk, Kennebunk High School
• Benjamin Keller, Falmouth, Falmouth High School 
• Mia-Claire Kezal, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Catherine McClellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Joseph Neal, York, York High School
• Don Strawbridge, North Yarmouth, Greely High School 
• Jaimey Weidner, Bowdoin, Mt. Ararat/Randolph-Macon Academy
  Leska Whitmarsh, North Yarmouth, Cheverus High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point

• Landon Bickford, Gorham, Gorham High School
• Aidan Hieger, Saco, Thornton Academy

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