Cole Announces 2019 Military Academy Nominations

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the names of 18 students who have been nominated from the Fourth District of Oklahoma 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.

"I am honored to recommend an exceptional group of candidates for appointment to one of our nation's fine military academies," said Cole. "Coming from several communities across the Fourth District of Oklahoma, these young leaders truly are some of the best and brightest of their generation. I am inspired by their willingness to answer the call of duty and by their desire to sacrifice and serve on behalf of our country."

The list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they were 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

David Bruce, Norman – Norman North High School
John Ryan Cook, Oklahoma City – Carl Albert High School
Colby Dirck, Noble – Noble High School
Alena Dunaway, Purcell – Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics
Ainslee Gabriel, Norman – Norman High School
Jack Dallas Grimmett, Pauls Valley – Pauls Valley High School
Decklin Nagel, Norman – Westmoore High School
Zachary Nemecek, Oklahoma City – Southmoore High School
Trace Stewart, Marietta – Marietta High School
Enrique Thompson, Tuttle – Epic Charter High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Alena Dunaway, Purcell – Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics
Heyward Hutson, Cache – Cache High School
Robert Kemmet, Norman – Norman North High School
Trace Stewart, Marietta – Marietta High School
Avery Stout, Midwest City – Carl Albert High School

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

John Ryan Cook, Oklahoma City – Carl Albert High School
Heyward Hutson, Cache – Cache High School
Quinn Matthey, Elgin – Elgin High School
John McDowell, Norman – Thomas Edison High School
Zachary Nemecek, Oklahoma City – Southmoore High School
Trace Stewart, Marietta – Marietta High School
Avery Stout, Midwest City – Carl Albert High School
Bryson Stricker, Ardmore – Plainview High School
Samuel Wishon, Norman – Norman High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Ainslee Gabriel, Norman – Norman High School
Paula Hackbart, Newalla – Moore High School
Robert Kemmet, Norman – Norman North High School
Trace Stewart, Marietta – Marietta High School
Avery Stout, Midwest City – Carl Albert High School
Bryson Stricker, Ardmore – Plainview High School

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