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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