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MANSFIELD -- Three north central Ohio students were among Ohio’s 12th Congressional District service academy nominations for the Class of 2025.

The list was announced Tuesday by Congressman Troy Balderson. 

“We are once again putting our communities’ finest young leaders forward with these service academy nominations,“ Balderson said. “Ohio’s 12th Congressional District is home to so many remarkable applicants, and I am confident that each student chosen by our nominating committee will serve with honor and distinction.”

Among the local youngsters nominated were:

-- Lexington's Joanna Halfhill to the U.S. Military Academy, to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

-- Caden Brubaker, of St. Peter's High School, to the U.S. Naval Academy.

-- Lexington's Tucker Schurig to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Before earning an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy, students must be nominated by their Congressman, Senator, or the Vice President of the United States. An ad hoc panel, consisting of current and former military leaders as well as community leaders, assisted Congressman Balderson with screening candidates and conducting interviews.

During the competitive nomination and appointment process, students are evaluated on their academic records, athletic achievements, and leadership qualities.

A congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance to a service academy. Cadets and midshipmen commit to serving at least five years in their respective military branch upon graduation.

Several students earned nominations to multiple academies.
U.S. Air Force Academy

Erin Bauslaugh - Delaware Christian School

Lauren Coleman - Metro Early College High School

Aubrianna Dobbins - Granville High School

Joanna Halfhill - Lexington High School

Brayden Havenstein - Dublin Jerome High School

Sean Kim - Worthington Kilbourne High School

Diego Pitones - St. Charles Preparatory

Jillian Riegert - Thomas Worthington High School

Jack Seltzer - Oakland Early College

Tessa Whittaker - Bishop Watterson High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Erin Bauslaugh - Delaware Christian School

Aubrianna Dobbins - Granville High School

Conor Duffy - Dublin Jerome High School

Joanna Halfhill - Lexington High School

Sean Kim - Worthington Kilbourne High School

Jillian Riegert - Thomas Worthington High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Caden Brubaker - St. Peter's High School

Aubrianna Dobbins - Granville High School

Conor Duffy - Dublin Jerome High School

Natanas Gaver - Reynoldsburg High School

Samuel Kovach - New Albany High School

Thomas Morris - New Albany High School

Diego Pitones - St. Charles Preparatory

Tucker Schurig - Lexington High School

Tessa Whittaker - Bishop Watterson High School

U.S. Military Academy

Erin Bauslaugh - Delaware Christian School

Vishnu Bodavula - Olentangy Liberty High School

Lauren Coleman - Metro Early College High School

Aubrianna Dobbins - Granville High School

Conor Duffy - Dublin Jerome High School

Joanna Halfhill - Lexington High School

Sean Kim - Worthington Kilbourne High School

Christian Miller - Highland High School

Elijah Pack - Culver Military Academy

Jillian Riegert - Thomas Worthington High School