U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) announced 16 students, including two from Turlock, who received nominations for the 2014 service academy from California’s 10th District to one of three of the country’s most prestigious military academies.
Students were nominated to the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
Each student seeking to attend one of the military academies must be nominated by a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator or the Vice President. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination to attend.
“The Valley is home to so many talented young people,” said Denham. “Each of these individuals has demonstrated an admirable desire to learn and to serve our nation, and their contributions to their communities deserve recognition.
Nominations are based on a complex application and interview process and factors including academic achievement, leadership ability, physical aptitude, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstration of character are all considered. Upon graduation, these students commit to serving in the military for a minimum of five years on active duty status.
Students who are nominated must be accepted by the individual service academies, as well, in order to attend; these students will be notified in April 2015.
“I look forward to seeing each of them succeed far into the future,” said Denham.
The full list of this year’s nominees is below.
Maria Martinez – Turlock – U.S. Air Force Academy
John Moody III – Turlock – U.S. Air Force Academy
Bryce Lew – Manteca – U.S. Naval Academy
Ga’Lhiel Dillard – Modesto – U.S. Military Academy
Tanner Goudeau – Modesto – U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy
Brent Sordo – Modesto – U.S. Air Force Academy
Logan Eaton – Oakdale – U.S. Naval Academy
Jose Martinez – Patterson – U.S. Military Academy
Brooke Sanpei – Patterson – U.S. Air Force Academy
Nathaniel Gagnon – Ripon – U.S. Military Academy
Justin Armijo – Ripon – U.S. Military Academy
Michael Brown – Tracy – U.S. Military Academy
Anthony Cabri – Tracy – U.S. Air Force Academy
Kyle Hewitt – Tracy – U.S. Naval Academy
Joseph Johnson – Waterford – U.S. Air Force Academy
Ellis Valdez – Waterford – U.S. Military Academy
For more information about the military academy nomination process visit Denham’s website here.
