These 21 area students were nominated to U.S. service academies

Congressman Warren Davidson, R-Troy, has nominated 21 students from the 8th Congressional District to one, or more, of the country’s service academies.

He personally congratulated each nominee at a ceremony held on Sunday.

“Nominating these young men and women for our county’s service academies is one of the best parts of the job,” said Davidson. “These individuals are our leaders in waiting. I commend them for wanting to serve their county.”

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Members of Congress may nominate up to 10 individuals for each vacant academy slot. Davidson represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami and Preble counties and the southernmost portion of Mercer County.

Nominations — which does not guarantee acceptance — are given based on proven leadership ability, academic accomplishment, athletic achievement and extracurricular activities. An advisory board of former military and community leaders helped Davidson in the interview and vetting process.

Once accepted, cadets and midshipmen commit to serving at least five years of military service.

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The U.S. Service Academies are some of the most competitive higher education institutions in the nation. The U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy rank 13th and 15th, respectively, on the lowest college acceptance rates.

Davidson is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, The Old Guard and the 101st Airborne Division.

Several students earned nominations to multiple academies. Here is the list of students include:

U.S. Air Force Academy:

Samuel Billisits – Lakota East High School

Callie E. Bunnell – Madison High School

Grace Keith – Lakota East High School

Olivia M Page – Edgewood High School

Samuel Price – Monroe High School

Dylan J. Richards – New Mexico Military Institute

Isabel Steen – Lakota West High School

Zachariah J. Terrill – Homeschooled

Andrew C. Waite – Coldwater High School

Andrew N. Weaver – Edgewood High School

Eric R. Wills, II – U.S. Air Force Academy Prep.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:

Samuel Price – Monroe High School

U.S. Naval Academy:

Anthony Amsbaugh – Lakota West High School

Callie E. Bunnell – Madison High School

Isabella DiCarlo – Mount Notre Dame High School

Morgan Frederick – Versailles High School

Grace Keith – Lakota East High School

Evan G. Lane – Purdue University

Samuel Price – Monroe High School

Huakai “Joe” Qin – Lakota East High School

Isabel Steen – Lakota West High School

Andrew C. Waite – Coldwater High School

U.S. Military Academy at West Point:

Samuel Billisits – Lakota East High School

Jacob W. Dials – Bishop Fenwick High School

Benjamin M. Grawe – Stephen T. Badin High School

Grace Keith – Lakota East High School

Cameron M. Hoelscher – U.S. Military Academy Prep

Steven J. Knebel – Ross High School

Olivia M. Page – Edgewood High School

Huakai “Joe” Qin – Lakota East High School

Savannah Toner – Versailles High School

Andrew N. Weaver – Edgewood High School

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