U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, celebrated the service academy appointments of 11 students from across Washington’s Third Congressional District by hosting a send-off dinner in their honor last week.
Earlier this year, Gluesenkamp Perez nominated each of the students based on their exceptional leadership, extracurricular and academic accomplishments. Afterward, they received and accepted appointment offers from their respective academies and will begin military training this summer. The dinner was an opportunity to get to know the appointees and their families, talk about their future goals and show her appreciation for their service, according to a news release from Gluesenkamp Perez.
“Our service academy appointees, as well as their families, made sacrifices to be the type of candidates we are proud to have represent us in our Armed Forces. It’s a privilege to honor their accomplishments, as well as their dedication to defending our freedoms,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “I’m glad I could thank them for their commitment to serving our country. Each of these exceptional students will represent Southwest Washington well, and I’m excited to keep up with their ongoing successes.”
Students looking to apply for a service academy should begin the application process toward the end of their junior year of high school. More information is available on Gluesenkamp Perez’s website.
Gluesenkamp Perez nominated the following students who were selected to attend a U.S. service academy this year:
- Andrew Helt — U.S. Naval Academy — Helt attended Camas High School and worked as a ranch hand at Rising Above Daily Youth Ranch where he mentors youth in personal development and life skills and taking care of livestock. He was captain of his high school varsity cross country team and student body treasurer while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
- Bridget Brennan — U.S. Naval Academy — Brennan attended Hockinson High School and served as the flight commander of 25 cadets in Air Force Junior ROTC. She is an Eagle Scout with bronze and silver palms. She volunteers at Sunshine Division, leading food and clothing drives and was a varsity athlete for soccer and track while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is following her father’s footsteps at the Naval Academy.
- Dylan Hamilton — U.S. Naval Academy — Hamilton attended Seton Catholic High School and achieved a 4.18 GPA throughout high school while being elected student body president his senior year. He participated in a mission trip to an orphanage in Guatemala where he built a kitchen, stove and bunkbeds. Hamilton also played varsity football and soccer and volunteers with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Hannah Barker — U.S. Naval Academy — Barker attended Skyview High School, and was on the student leadership team for the FIRST Robotics competition team where she led her team to a seventh place finish at the world championships. She was a cellist in Skyview High School’s orchestra, and she ran cross country and track while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working as a lifeguard.
- Jacob Williams — U.S. Naval Academy — Williams attended Seton Catholic High School and will join the Naval Academy after a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School where he has been enrolled in courses in math, chemistry, physics and English. A team captain for his high school varsity football team, Williams will continue playing football for the Midshipmen, and he has dedicated over 150 hours of community service to the Black Student Union, of which he was the president.
- Jonathan Houlding — U.S. Military Academy at West Point — Houlding attended Camas High School and established Moving Crew, a youth-led community service business assisting folks with moving, constructions, yard work and farm projects. He had a 3.97 GPA, and played varsity rugby, soccer and tennis.
- Parker Leitz — U.S. Naval Academy — Leitz attended Wahkiakum High School and worked as a community healthcare advocate at the Wahkiakum County Health Department while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and being elected student body president. He was captain of the varsity basketball, football and baseball teams and is following in his sister’s footsteps by attending the Naval Academy.
- Savannah Reynolds — U.S. Naval Academy — Reynolds attended Columbia River High School and will join the Naval Academy after a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School where she has won the NAPS Dean’s List Bronze Star Award. Captain of her cross country and track teams, she plans to conclude flight training before leaving for the Naval Academy this summer. With a 4.0 GPA, she was the president of the local chapter of the National Honors Society.
- Sang Van — U.S. Naval Academy — Van attended Union High School and participated in competitive rifle shooting where he competed at the 2025 Junior Olympics. He also was on the varsity swim team while maintaining a 3.98 GPA. He has also won several awards, including a CollegeBoard AP Scholar Award and NRA Distinguished Expert Program Award.
- William Caswell — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — Caswell attends Camas High School and is an Eagle Scout who is the recipient of the Scott Schaffer Camping Award for exceptional participation and demonstration of scouting values. He was a varsity wrestler who was also elected by his peers to be chief justice of the Evergreen Boys State Supreme Court while maintaining a 3.81 GPA.
- Gunnar Morgan — U.S. Air Force Academy — Rochester High School
Gunnar Morgan is currently participating in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange in Berlin, Germany, immersing himself in German culture and language. Captain of his high school cross country team and the Whisper Running Club, Gunnar is also an Eagle Scout and member of the Scouting Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow. With a 3.96 GPA, he will join his sister and 2024 Congressional nominee, Lily, at the Air Force Academy.
