Cole Announces 2021 Military Academy Nominations

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the names of 21 students from the Fourth District of Oklahoma that he has nominated for entry into one of America's prestigious military academies. The United States service academies provide for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces. The academies that receive congressionally nominated students include the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.

The nomination process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores and school records. Other criteria considered by Congressman Cole and the recommendation panel includes athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied.

"Each year, it is a great privilege to recommend young leaders from the Fourth District of Oklahoma for potential appointment to one of our nation's distinguished military academies," said Cole. "This year, I am honored to nominate 21 of the best and brightest students from our communities. Their willingness and desire to answer the call of duty and serve on behalf of our country is truly inspiring, and we can all draw strength from their patriotism."

The list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they have been nominated. Note that applications are still being considered by the selection committees for potential admission at the various academies. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies.

U.S. Air Force Academy

Jake Bass, Oklahoma City – Epic High School
Dani Frost, Tuttle – Tuttle High School
Makayla Hall, Choctaw – Aviano Middle/High School
John "Jack" Hill, Norman – Norman North High School
Elliott Kmetz, Norman – Norman High School
Andrew Krause, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Austin Mason, Purcell – Washington High School
Marsha Schoolcraft, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Mackenzie Thomas, Lawton – MacArthur High School
Nathan Wirth, Norman – Norman High School

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Luke Churchwell, Lawton – Eisenhower High School
Susanna Cox, Purcell – Kaiserslautern American High School
Alexis De Luna, Lawton – MacArthur High School
John "Jack" Hill, Norman – Norman North High School
Jonathan Kim, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Elliott Kmetz, Norman – Norman High School
Shyam Patel, Oklahoma City – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Jackson Permenter, Cache – Cache High School
Elena Price, Lawton – Eisenhower High School
Mackenzie Thomas, Lawton – MacArthur High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Franklin Alvarez, Ardmore – Ardmore High School
Jazmyn Brandon, Choctaw – Choctaw High School
Zachary Cox, Blanchard – Blanchard High School
Prestley Gabriel, Norman – Norman North High School
John "Jack" Hill, Norman – Norman North High School
Jonathan Kim, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Elliott Kmetz, Norman – Norman High School
Andrew Krause, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Austin Mason, Purcell – Washington High School
Shyam Patel, Oklahoma City – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics