Graves Announces Nominations to U.S. Military Academies

KANSAS CITY, MO – U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) announced United States Military Service Academy nominations for students in Missouri's Sixth Congressional District. Each year, members of Congress are tasked with selecting qualified students from their respective districts to attend one of America's prestigious military academies.

"North Missouri year in and year out has produced impressive candidates for our nation's military academies," Rep. Graves said. "This year is no exception. I am proud of all the young men and women who have seeked out and recieved nominations, and I thank all of them for their willingness to serve this country. I know that each of the individuals who recieved a nomination will make North Missouri proud at their respective acaedmies.

The following students from across north Missouri received nominations from Congressman Graves:

Austin Ahern –US Air Force Academy (Lee's Summit North HS)

John Barry – US Naval Academy (Liberty North HS)

Alexander Dye – US Air Force and US Naval Academies (Blue Springs HS)

Lukas Erickson –US Military Academy (Maryville HS)

Cody Hankins – US Air Force Academy (Smithville HS)

Cullen O'Dear – US Naval Academy (Rockhurst HS)

Jacob Phillips – US Military Academy (Savannah HS)

Eric Siemens – US Air Force Academy (Central HS)

The nomination system is a very competitive process. Various military academies hold extremely selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Rep. Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board. The board, made up of service academy graduates and citizens of the Sixth District, interviewed and reviewed all applicants before making final recommendations to Rep. Graves.

Rep. Graves, who notified each student by phone of their nomination, commented on the competitiveness of this year's nomination process. Students interested in being appointed to a service academy in the future can find out more information by contacting Graves' district office in Kansas City or by visiting www.graves.house.gov.

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