30 area students receive nomination to attend U.S. Service Academies
From The Jefferson County Journal staff reports
Birmingham — Congressman Gary Palmer announced that 30 students from Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District have received nominations to attend the U.S. Service Academies. The nominees were recognized at a reception held for them and their families at Vestavia Hills City Hall on Monday.
“Nominating students to the U.S. Service Academies is one of the most serious responsibilities of my job,” Palmer said in a statement. “These young men and women may one day lead our sons and daughters into combat, so I want to make sure that we are sending our best and most qualified to our military academies. It’s always an encouragement to meet so many exceptional, hardworking young people who desire to serve our country. I’m confident that this year’s nominees will represent Alabama proudly and serve America with honor.”
The Service Academy application process requires a nomination from the student’s U.S. House Representative, U.S. Senator, the Vice President, or the President. The U.S. Service Academies include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Once the nomination is confirmed, the academy will review the whole candidate to determine admission. Students who are accepted become scholar soldiers at some of the most prestigious institutions in America.
Each December, Congressman Gary Palmer works with his Academy Advisory Board to interview and nominate outstanding students from the Sixth Congressional District for an appointment to one of these service academies. Service Academy recruiters have consistently praised the achievements and preparedness of recruits from Alabama’s Sixth District. Students who are accepted as cadets and midshipmen will be receiving the highest levels of education, athletic conditioning, leadership building, and training to defend the Constitution and America’s freedoms alongside an extensive network of academy alumni.
The students nominated by Congressman Palmer this year are as follows:
Meron Acker of United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School, is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy
Ethan Adams of Oneonta High School, is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
Jaden Alexander of Homewood High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Baynes Autrey of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Drake Brown of Hueytown High School, is nominated for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Jackson Bryant of Vestavia Hills High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Jay Chang of Hoover High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy
Holli Chapman of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy
Phoebe Cooper of Oak Mountain High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Cam Covington of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kyle Curtis of Oak Mountain High School, is nominated for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Jordan Evans of John Carroll Catholic High School, is nominated for U.S. Air Force Academy
Benjamin Fu of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
Sam Hendrix of Evangel Christian School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Libby Jackson of Vestavia Hills High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
Alec Johnston of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
Skylar Johnston of Oak Mountain High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Sean Kirk of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Air Force Academy
John Mark Kirkland of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kiam Moriya of Indian Springs School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Noah Nickolson of Vestavia Hills High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Rachel Price of Westminster School at Oak Mountain, is nominated for U.S. Air Force Academy
Maximillian Renfro of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy
Cooper Reynolds of Westminster School at Oak Mountain, is nominated U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Sarathi Shah of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
Thomas Smith of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy
Natalie Thorn of Hoover High School, is nominated for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Jacob Warner of Spain Park High School, is nominated for U.S. Air Force Academy
Jude Watkins of Evangel Christian School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy
Meredith Watson of Gardendale High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy
“I congratulate these students for this major accomplishment in the Service Academy application process,” Palmer said. “I look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of them.”
Congratulations to these impressive students, who seek to achieve at the highest levels in order to serve our country. If you or someone you know is interested in attending a military service academy, please visit www.palmer.house.gov and select “Services: U.S. Service Academy Nominations” for more information. Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old, a U.S. citizen, have a strong academic background, possess proven leadership skills, and be of good moral character.
