Service Academy Nominations

Every year, I get the honor of nominating the best and brightest students from across North Missouri to attend our nation’s military academies. A congressional nomination is one of the chief ways a student can get selected to attend one of these prestigious institutions. Getting there isn’t easy and requires an incredible amount of work. Students who even pursue a nomination, much less receive one, are most likely thinking and doing things as students that wouldn’t even occur to a lot of folks, much less a high schooler. They are impressive.

Securing the nomination might be tough, but they are just getting started. Once they get to the Academy, the training and learning that they encounter is rigorous. Yet, I know these nominees are up to the challenge. In fact, the challenge of the academy will serve them well as they serve our country.

While it’s an honor for a student to attend a military academy, they then devote a part of their lives to serving our country. The leadership skills they display in their nomination interviews and go on to further develop at their respective academy will undoubtedly be put to the test. I’m grateful that they want to use their skills and abilities on behalf of our country. Their selfless sacrifice is incredibly admirable.

Whether they are pursuing the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, North Missouri always produces a great group of nominees, and this year is no different.

This year’s nominees include:

Annabel Beeman – U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy (Platte County High School)

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

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

Remington May – U.S. Naval Academy, U. S. Merchant Marine Academy (Highland High School)

Ethan Smith – U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy (Platte County High School)

Kloiee Wagner – U.S. Military Academy (Moberly High School)

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

Isaac Woodward– U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy (Fort Osage High School)

Tade Wynn– U.S. Military Academy (Culver Military Academy)

These students are exceptional, and I can’t wait to see how they go on to make North Missouri proud! Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving our country will have a lasting impact, and I look forward to following their journeys as they continue to achieve their goals.

Any student that is considering attending a military academy nomination in the future should reach out to my office to get more details on the process and what they should be doing now so they can be best prepared to seek a nomination.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves