Service Academy Nominations

One of the things I look forward to each year as a Member of Congress is nominating some of North Missouri’s finest young men and women for admission to one of our nation’s great service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Each of the nominees to these academies trade 5 years of service for an exceptional education at some of the most prestigious institutions in America.
 
Each year, tens of thousands of brave young Americans apply to one of our nations service academies, but only around 10% are ultimately accepted. Each nominated student is an exceptionally hard worker and has shown very impressive test scores, high school grades, extracurricular achievements, and national recognitions.

To ensure we are getting some of the brightest and most dedicated students in the nation, I’ve put together an Academy Nominations Review Board, consisting of academy graduates, veterans, and citizens. They dedicate their time to helping review applications and interviewing students.  I’m confident that our candidates would shine in anything they did in life, but to put service to their country first is to take it a step further.

This year I was proud to nominate the following students:

Breanna Coonfare – U.S. Military Academy (Liberty North High School)

Ethan Holtman – U.S. Military Academy (Jefferson C-123 High School in Conception Junction)

Ryan Morrow– U.S. Military Academy (Park Hill South High School)

Iris Alvarez – U.S. Military Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Savannah High School)

Tade Wynn– U.S. Military Academy (Culver Military Academy, Hometown - Liberty)

Lance Meekins – U.S. Military Academy (Kearney High School)

George Freeman – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy (Moberly High School)

Octavious Soriano – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy (St. Pius X Catholic High School, Hometown – Kansas City)

Zacary Wheeler – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Naval Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Smithville High School)

Nikos Guerrero – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Park Hill High School)

Gabriel Watkins – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; U.S. Air Force Academy (Lathrop High School)

Emma Bruhl – U.S. Air Force Academy (Vicenza High School)

Margaret Howard – U.S. Air Force Academy (West Platte High School)

Jacob Duckworth – U.S. Air Force Academy (Park Hill South High School)

Maxwell Casey – U.S. Naval Academy (Pembroke Hill School, Hometown - Parkville)

Evan Janiak – U.S. Naval Academy (Kearney High School)

These year’s nominees are impressive and every year I want to make sure that we continue to put forward the best students North Missouri has to offer to serve our Nation. I encourage you to share this opportunity with anyone who you think might be interested in learning more about receiving a Congressional nomination to attend one of our Nation's service academies during next year’s nomination process. To learn more, students can visit: graves.house.gov/services/military-service-academy-nominations or call my Kansas City office at 816-792-3976.

I am always humbled and proud to nominate local students for these prestigious appointments. I hope you'll join me in congratulating this stellar group of candidates and wishing them the best of luck.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves