U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced her 2026 nominations to the nation’s prestigious U.S. service academies, including multiple candidates from Rockland County and across the Hudson Valley.
“It is my distinct honor to nominate some of the best and brightest individuals from the Hudson Valley to the nation’s service academies,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These young leaders have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement and dedication to their communities and nation. I look forward to seeing all that they achieve, and I thank them for their commitment to our country.”
The nominees were selected by a committee formed by Senator Gillibrand from a highly competitive pool of applicants. Selection criteria included academic performance, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final admission decisions are made independently by each service academy.
The United States service academies provide a top-tier education while preparing students to serve as commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces upon graduation. This year, Senator Gillibrand nominated 11 candidates from the Hudson Valley region.
Rockland County Nominees
The following Rockland County residents were nominated to the U.S. service academies:
- Ronald Bolte (Pearl River) — United States Military Academy
- Abigail Bennett (Pearl River) — United States Naval Academy
- Mary Katherine DeBono (West Nyack) — United States Naval Academy
- Robert Holstine (New City) — United States Naval Academy
Additional nominees from Westchester, Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess counties were also included in this year’s slate.