Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) has announced his service academy nominees for the 2011-2012 academic year. The nominees have excelled both academically and athletically at their respective schools and have gone through an extensive selection process.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to nominate these fine young men and women to our nation’s service academies. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” said Upton. “Each member of this distinguished group has successfully undergone a rigorous selection process, and you can be sure they are the finest southwest Michigan has to offer. Our entire community should be proud of their accomplishments. These exemplary young men and women represent America’s best and brightest and we look forward to their future achievements in our nation’s armed services."
The selection process included an interview with Upton’s Academy Advisory Board, which is comprised of local community leaders. Upon approval by the board, the students’ names were then passed on to Upton, who then officially nominated the students to our nation’s military academies. The individual academies will make the final decisions on military appointments. All applicants to military academies must be nominated by a Member of Congress, the President or the Vice President.
"It is an honor and privilege to nominate these students as they serve as an outstanding example for other local youth who might aspire to follow in their footsteps," said Upton. "I encourage local students who are interested in applying to the academies to contact either of my offices in Kalamazoo or St. Joseph/Benton Harbor if they are interested in opening a whole new world of opportunity and the chance to serve our nation.”
Students interested in attending a service academy are encouraged to contact either of Upton’s district offices for further information: St. Joseph/Benton Harbor (269-982-1986) or Kalamazoo (269-385-0039).
Upton has nominated the following students for the class of 2015:
The United States Military Academy / ARMY
Corry Daoust Paw Paw Paw Paw High School
Jackson Peebles Schoolcraft Mattawan High School
Kevin Bryce Watervliet Watervliet High School
The United States Naval Academy
Raymond Greiner Portage Portage Northern High School
Emily LaManna Stevensville Lakeshore High School
Andrew McDougall Stevensville Lakeshore High School
Alexander Wilcox Coloma Coloma High school
Kyle Sankey Buchanan Bridgman High School
Colin Burandt Niles Niles High School
John Miller Centreville Centreville High School
The United States Air Force Academy
Madelyn Johnson Stevensville Lakeshore High School
Stephen Coble Edwardsburg Edwardsburg High School
Ian Parker Dorr Wayland High School
