SARASOTA – Congressman Vern Buchanan announced today that seventeen students nominated by Buchanan have received an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy.
“I congratulate these outstanding young men and women for their appointments,” said Buchanan. “They should take pride in having successfully competed with so many students from across the country. It is an honor not only for them, but for all who have supported them along the way. I wish them the best of luck and have every confidence that they will serve our nation with honor.”
Each year, members of the House and Senate nominate senior high school students they represent for admission to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval academies. Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a non-partisan Service Academy Board appointed by the Congressman. Only the most qualified nominees receive appointments from the U.S. Service Academies.
The following students nominated by Buchanan received an academy appointment for the fall:
Manatee County
- Palmetto High School graduate Arianna Longo of Ellenton received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
- IMG Academy graduate Alexandra Ramthun received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
Hillsborough County
- Bell Creek Academy High School graduate Sebastian Correa of Riverview received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
- Jule F. Sumner High School graduate David Tirado-Alonzo of Ruskin received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
- Newsome High School graduate Spencer Caceres of Lithia received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
- Marion Military Institute graduate Francis Connor Dias of Lithia received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
- Newsome High School graduate Colby Prince of Lithia received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
- Durant High School graduate Austin Holcomb of Lithia received and appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
- U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School graduate Ryan Matthews of Riverview received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
- U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School graduate Yaideliz Lorenzo-Mendoza of Ruskin received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
- Newsome High School graduate Alexander Fraga of Lithia received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy
- U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School graduate Axeladiel Zengotita of Lithia received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
Sarasota County
- Riverview High School graduate Christopher Barr of Sarasota received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
- Sarasota Military Academy graduate Cooper Bowditch of Sarasota received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
- Sarasota High School graduate Wilson Kai Sutter of Sarasota received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
- Riverview High School graduate Kate Fleming of Sarasota received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
- Venice High School graduate Jack Lambert of Sarasota received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
The U.S. Service Academies are four-year post-secondary institutions that combine educational excellence with military officer training. Students accepted to the academies receive a free four-year education in return for a commitment serve five-years in the active-duty military after graduation.
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