Gluesenkamp Perez Announces Service Academy Nominees for Class of 2028

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced she has nominated 20 students from across Washington’s Third District to attend a United States service academy.

Applications were thoroughly reviewed by the Congresswoman and her team, and interviews were conducted by a panel of local former servicemembers. Nominations were based on a comprehensive evaluation of leadership skills, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities, among other factors. While a nomination is required to attend a service academy, it does not guarantee admission.

“One of my most important duties as a Member of Congress is to nominate the next generation of young leaders to our nation’s military service academies. We received some truly outstanding applications from students across Southwest Washington,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our nominees, as well as their families, made sacrifices to be the type of candidates we would be glad to have represent us in our Armed Forces. They should be proud of their accomplishments and dedication to serving their country.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez nominated the following students for one or more of the U.S. service academies in the fall of 2024:

U.S. Air Force Academy

• Joseph Blanshan (Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School)
• Ethan Freund (Kelso High School)
• Ethan Gonzales (Rainier High School)
• Jacob Peay (Battle Ground High School)
• Layla Melville (Ridgefield High School)*
• Lily Morgan (Tumwater High School)*
• Elizabeth Noh (Prairie High School)*
• Cayle O’Donnell (Vancouver iTech Preparatory)
• Elijah Wall (Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School)*

U.S. Naval Academy

• Cordelia Ashley (Ridgefield High School)
• Jacob Bell (Ridgefield High School)*
• Roxanne Casey (Cedar Tree Classical Christian School)
• Karalynn Conditt (Woodland High School)
• Sadie Fortenberry (Skyview High School)*
• Julia Green (The Peak Academy)
• Lily Morgan (Tumwater High School)*
• Elizabeth Noh (Prairie High School)*
• Elijah Wall (Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School)*

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• Jacob Bell (Ridgefield High School)*
• Robert Cammock (Columbia River High School)
• Lilianna Cooper (Battle Ground High School)
• Sadie Fortenberry (Skyview High School)*
• Andrew Kralj (Central Catholic High School)
• Collett MacDonald (Woodland High School)
• Layla Melville (Ridgefield High School)*

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

• Roxanne Casey (Cedar Tree Classical Christian School)*
• Layla Melville (Ridgefield High School)*

An asterisk indicates a student was nominated to more than one academy.

Students looking to apply for a service academy should begin the application process toward the end of their junior year of high school. Applications for the next cycle are not yet open, but more information is available on Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s website.