Smith Announces Nominees to U.S. Service Academies

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today announced his nomination of 14 students to the U.S. Service Academies for the class entering the fall of 2014.

Members of Congress have the privilege of nominating young people for admission to the U.S. Service Academies, which includes the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Service Academies offer a unique opportunity for motivated students to serve their country while undergoing a rigorous academic and physical regimen. In exchange for tuition, students agree to serve in the U.S. military after graduation.

Gunner Coffey, son of Brendan and Stef Coffey, is a senior at Sidney High School in Sidney. He has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Elizabeth Darnell, daughter of Rick and Jane Darnell, is a senior at Chadron High School in Chadron. She has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Jonathan Hunt, son of Mark and Lara Hunt, is a senior at O’Neill High School in O’Neill. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Joseph Gillham, son of Keith and Carolyn Gillham, is a senior at O’Neill High School in O’Neill. He has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Adam Keating, son of Matt and Jill Keating, is a senior at Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Tanor McFarland, son of Trevor and Tanya McFarland, is a senior at Wausa Public School in Wausa. He has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Alex Meier, son of Darryl and Kris Meier, is a senior at Adams Central High School in Hastings. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Robert Messbarger, son of Rob and Lora Messbarger, is a senior at Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

John Potthoff, son of Dennis and Patricia Potthoff, is a senior at Kearney High School in Kearney. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Connor Russell, son of Chris and Starlin Russell, is a senior at Medicine Valley High School in Curtis. He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Ryan Schwartzkopf, son of Roger and Sheri Schwartzkopf, is a senior at Gering High School in Gering. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Baylen Smith, son of Daniel and Jacqueline Smith, is a senior at Gering High School in Gering. He has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Megan Stokey, daughter of Mark and Sherri Stokey, is a senior at North Platte High School in North Platte. She has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Logan Woodward, son of Kevin and Kolene Woodward, is a senior at Scottsbluff High School in Scottsbluff. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Applicants met personally with Smith’s Academy Advisory Committee and were evaluated on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, career motivation, personal traits, letters of recommendation, essays, and personal interviews. Each Academy will make a determination regarding appointments by April.

“It is an honor to nominate these exceptional young Nebraskans to the U.S. Service Academies,” said Smith. “Each of these young men and women has excelled in the classroom and demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities. I am confident they will continue to make us proud as they complete their education, and as future leaders in the U.S. military.”