Smith Announces Nominees to U.S. Service Academies

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today announced his nomination of 10 students to the U.S. Service Academies for the class entering in the fall of 2016.

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.

“It is an honor to nominate these exceptional young people from Nebraska’s Third District to the U.S. Service Academies,” Smith said. “Each one has demonstrated the dedication and drive necessary to succeed at the academies and become a future leader of our military. I am inspired by their excellence in academics and community service, and deeply grateful for their eagerness to serve our country.”

William Barelman of Coleridge, son of Laura and Dave Dendinger and Ward Barelman, is a senior at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Emmanuel Cabello of Alliance, son of James and Elizabeth Lewis, is a senior at Alliance High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Elijah Kennedy of Brownville, son of Stephen and Chris Kennedy, is a senior at Auburn Senior High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Edward Li of Cook, son of Lyle and Lan Fisher, is a senior at Johnson County Central High School. 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.

Nicholas Lindblad of Hastings, son of Bradley and Susan Lindblad, is a senior at Adams Central Junior-Senior High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Gregory McCallum of Chadron, son of Henry and Janice McCallum, is a senior at Chadron High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Brett Menuey of Hyannis, son of Robert Menuey, is a graduate of Hyannis High School attending the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

James Swanson of Grand Island, son of John and Rachel Swanson, is a graduate of Grand Island Senior High School attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Rhode Island. He has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Taylor Wilson of Imperial, son of Doug and Tonya Wilson, is a senior at Chase County High School. He has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Calvin Wineland of Cambridge, son of Calvin and Desiree Wineland, is a graduate of Cambridge High School attending Syracuse University in New York. 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.