Cole Announces 2022 Military Academy Nominations

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the names of 12 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.

"It is one of my greatest honors as a Member of Congress to each year recommend young leaders from the Fourth District of Oklahoma for potential appointment to one of the nation's prestigious military academies," said Cole. "This year, I am delighted to nominate 12 impressive students from our communities. Their desire to answer the call of duty and serve our nation with their talents and patriotism is truly inspiring."

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
Caleb Cole, Duncan – Comanche High School
Gabriella Frame, Oklahoma City – Moore High School
Prestley Gabriel, Norman – Norman North High School
Makayla Hall, Choctaw – Aviano Middle-High School
Luke Howard, San Diego (Midwest City) – Scripps Ranch High School
Lane Steele, Washington – Washington High School
Shyam Patel, Oklahoma City – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Zachary Wagner, Walters – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Avery Walls, Blanchard – Blanchard High Schoo

U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Shyam Patel, Oklahoma City – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Trae Stewart, Cache – Cache High School

U.S. Naval Academy
Troy Bullman, Davis – Davis High School
Bobby Ebilane, Moore – Moore High School
Luke Howard, San Diego (Midwest City) – Scripps Ranch High School
Shyam Patel, Oklahoma City – Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Avery Walls, Blanchard – Blanchard High School

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