Cole Announces 2010 Service Academy Nominations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the names of students from Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District who have received nominations to one or more of America's prestigious service academies.

"It's my privilege to nominate outstanding young Oklahomans to serve in our nation's military academies," Congressman Cole said. "Our state has a distinguished tradition of military service, and the impressive accomplishments and commitment demonstrated by these students should make Oklahomans proud."

Each year, members of Congress are given the opportunity to nominate a certain number of students from their district to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies. The students nominated become eligible for an appointment, and if selected will begin classes this fall.

The process for receiving a nomination is highly competitive. Nominations are made based on a composite of academic factors including: school records, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores. They are also selected based on leadership potential, extracurricular activities, athletics, and physical fitness.

The list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they were nominated. At this time, the students' applications are being considered by the academies' selection committees for potential admission. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies.

Amanda C. McClelland, Lawton, MacArthur High School - Military
Austin S. Nesom, Tuttle, Tuttle High School - Air Force
Brent A. Chappell, Fletcher, (Home School) - Naval, Military, Merchant Marine
Coleman D. Gracey, Tuttle, Tuttle High School - Military, Naval, Merchant Marine
David P. Figueroa, Midwest City, Carl Albert Senior High School - Air Force
Dillon G. Bryant, Lawton, Cache High School - Military, Air Force, Naval
Dillon S. VanVleet, Lawton, MacArthur High School - Air Force
Jeremy D. Penry, Oklahoma City, Westmoore High School - Air Force
Joshua T. Christen, Tuttle, Tuttle High School - Naval, Military, Merchant Marine
Karli O. Boothe, Tipton, Tipton High School - Naval
Kenan C. Bell, Norman, Norman North High School (Class of 2009) - Air Force (Kenan
is currently attending the Wentworth Military Academy.)
Kolby T. Vaverka, Midwest City, Midwest City High School - Military, Air Force
Michael H. Ricken, Lawton, MacArthur High School - Air Force, Naval, Military, Merchant Marine
Seth R. Bayless, Ardmore, Ardmore High School - Naval
Tanner C. Faulkner, Newalla, McLoud High School (Class of 2009) - Air Force, Military,
Merchant Marine (Tanner is currently attending the U.S. Air Force Preparatory School.)
Tanner L. Sellers, Midwest City, Choctaw High School - Air Force, Military, Naval, Merchant Marine

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