Barrasso nominates Sheridan students to United States Service Academies

SHERIDAN (WNE) — U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) announced his nomination of Sheridan-area students Olivia Hardesty, Benjamin Forsythe, and Luke Patceg for appointments to U.S. service academies Monday. 

Hardesty is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy. Forsythe is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy. Patceg is nominated for the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Naval Academies. 

“It’s an honor to nominate Olivia, Benjamin, and Luke to U.S. service academies,” Barrasso said. “Wyoming has a proud history of nominating some of our best and brightest students to attend our nation’s service academies. Olivia, Benjamin and Luke have proven they have the determination, dedication and drive needed to succeed. They will represent the Cowboy State with distinction if granted an appointment.”

Barrasso annually nominates the most-qualified Wyoming students to compete for acceptance to the U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval academies. A congressional nomination is just the first step in a competitive process that can lead to an appointment. 

Young men and women interested in U.S. service academies apply to members of Congress for nominations. Those nominated are then screened by academy officials, and students with the best scholastic and personal credentials are selected for admission.

This story was published on Jan. 17, 2026.