SARASOTA, FL – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan announced today he has made 20 nominations to the nation’s four U.S. Service Academies. Each year, members of Congress nominate young men and women for admission to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval academies. Unlike the other service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for admission.
“I am thrilled to see so many qualified and talented students interested in serving our country,” Buchanan said. “Each nominee is deserving of the privilege of attending one of our nation’s prestigious service academies and I have no doubt they will make our country proud. I wish each of my nominees luck throughout the remainder of the selection process and look forward to their future success.”
Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a non-partisan Service Academy Board appointed by the Congressman. The following nominees were chosen by the board:
Manatee County:
- Sarasota Military Academy student Raven Brown of Bradenton was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
- Braden River High School student Clark Literral of Bradenton was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy
- Air Force Academy Prep School student Cody Gross of Bradenton was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Southeast High School student Kai Maclean of Ellenton was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Sarasota Military Academy student Mujahid Rosa of Bradenton was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
- Out of Door Academy student Michael Shaklik of Lakewood Ranch was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
- Lakewood Ranch High School student Elise West of Bradenton was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
Sarasota County:
- Sarasota High School student Cooper Hatten of Sarasota was nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Air Force Academy Preparatory School student Ryan Ives of Sarasota was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Riverview High School student Elizabeth Jendrysik of Sarasota was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy
Hillsborough County:
- Newsome High School student Garrett Bass of Lithia was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and Military Academy
- Hillsborough Community College student Jonathan Beck of Riverview was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Newsome High School student Zachory Clay of Lithia was nominated to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Military Academy
- Strawberry Crest High School student Francis Dias of Lithia was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy
- Newsome High School student Andrew Fischer of Lithia was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Riverview High School student McKenna Hartigan of Riverview was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- Naval Academy Preparatory School student Savanah Holt of Riverview was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy
- Riverview High School student Evelyn Staubitz of Riverview was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy
- Stuttgard High School in Germany student Samantha Vest of Sun City was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy
- Riverview High School student Katherine Ward of Riverview was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy
The nominations are forwarded to the service academies where they will be evaluated based on their academic and extra-curricular record, leadership skills, physical stamina and other requirements. The academies have until May 1st to announce their decisions.
