Congressman Nick Begich Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominations

January 31, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 31, 2025 – Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) announced the candidates nominated to four U.S. service academies: the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). 

“It is an honor to nominate these outstanding young Alaskans to the four U.S. Service Academies,” Congressman Begich said. “Alaska has a proud tradition of producing the best and brightest—individuals who embody resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to service. Their dedication to answering the call of duty is truly inspiring. As they take this next step, they represent the future of our great state and the strength of our nation, and I commend these individuals for their courage and commitment to defend our freedoms.”

U.S. Naval Academy- Annapolis, MD

Sarah Baisden – from Kenai, AK 
Austine Becke – from Anchorage, AK 
Maxwell Cason – from Anchorage, AK
Landon DeGraaf – from Anchorage, AK 
Sarah Dittman – from Anchorage, AK 
Rylan Forth – from Anchorage, AK 
Bethany Gravel – from Anchorage, AK 
Emma Marsh – from Anchorage, AK 
Thomas Olsen-Phillips – from Petersburg, AK
Joshua Pak – from Anchorage, AK 
Maximillian Rentz – from Chugiak, AK 
Lydia Schwartz – from Soldotna, AK
Inca Shannon – from North Pole, AK 
Henry Simoneau – from Fairbanks, AK 
Connor Taylor – from Palmer, AK 

 U.S. Air Force Academy- Colorado Springs, CO

Sarah Baisden – from Kenai, AK 
Alexander Borke – from Anchorage, AK 
Angela Cardenas-Arteaga – Eielson AFB
Caroline Cornell – Eielson AFB
George Houle – JBER
Casey Knapp – from Juneau, AK 
Jasiah Oaks – JBER
Joshua Pak – from Anchorage, AK 
Kenyen Rettig – Eielson AFB
Katelinn Satterfield – JBER
James Schultz – Eielson AFB
River Scott – from Eagle River, AK 
Jack Smethurst – Eielson AFB
Andrew Whaley – Eielson AFB
Sema’j Williams – Eielson AFB

U.S. Military Academy- West Point, NY

Emma Marsh – from Anchorage, AK 
Nina Adams – from Wasilla, AK 
Tyler Drake – from Anchorage, AK 
Kyden Echard – from Military Dependent
Scott Griffith – from Anchorage, AK
Mona Koko – from Anchorage, AK 
Grayson McDowell – from Wasilla, AK
Christian Mills-Price – from Wasilla, AK
Kai Miner – from Anchorage, AK
Joshua Nelson – from Anchorage, AK
Owens, Thomas - Anchorage
Pak, Joshua - Anchorage
Robinson, Lars - Anchorage
Smith, Abigail - Military Dependent
Watts, Bryce - Military Dependent

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy- Kings Point, NY

Rylan Forth – from Anchorage, AK
Bethany Gravel – from Anchorage, AK
Carvin Hass – from Juneau, AK
Carter Johnson – from Anchorage, AK
Donovan Mahoney – from Eagle River, AK
Grayson McDowell – from Wasilla, AK
Ethan Morico – from Anchorage, AK
Joshua Nelson – from Anchorage, AK
Thomas Owens – from Anchorage, AK

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