U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) today announced he has nominated several Sixth District students to the United States Service Academies. Each year, members of Congress are responsible for selecting very highly qualified students to attend one of our nation’s five prestigious military academies. Graves said many very qualified students applied for a nomination through his office this year.
Graves nominated the following area students:
· Nicolas Russell of Central High School in St. Joseph, Andrew Maus of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City and David Mershon of Lee’s Summit North High School to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
· David Jeong and Stephen Komar, both of Park Hill South High School in Riverside, as well as Will Ryan of Park Hill High School in Kansas City, to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
· Grant Mitton of Kearney High School, and Tom Prinslow of Parkville (Park Hill South High School) to the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
· Brennan Rialti of Lee’s Summit High School to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
“The Sixth District continues to produce some of the most outstanding candidates in the nation. I am both honored and proud to nominate these students,” said Graves. “They have proven they can excel both in and out of the classroom. They are all well-rounded individuals that will make North Missouri extremely proud.”
The nomination system is a very competitive process. The various military academies hold very selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board. The board, made up of service academy graduates and citizens of the 6th District, interviewed and reviewed all applicants and made final recommendations to Graves.
Graves, who notified each student by phone that he was nominating them, said it was very difficult to make his final selections since all the students that applied were so exceptional. All of the applicants had impressive academic credentials and extensive involvement in school and community activities.
Students interested in being appointed to a service academy can find out more information by contacting Graves’ district office in Kansas City or by visiting his website: www.house.gov/graves.