Congressman David Wu (OR01) - Press Releases - Congressman Wu Announces Military Academy Nominations

Portland, OR-- Each year Congressman David Wu nominates students from the First Congressional District to four military service academies: the United States Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. It is a required first step before an academy applicant can be considered by the respective Academy's admissions team.

This year, Congressman Wu nominated 18 students for the Class of 2011. Congressman Wu wishes them all the best in their continuing education and ambition to serve in the armed services.

Samuel Ernest Esplin, son of Krista and Ernest Esplin, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. Mr. Esplin, a graduate of Willamina High School, attended the U.S. Air Force Academy for two years before leaving to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Virginia. He participated in the Triathlon and Ninjutsu Club during his time at the Air Force Academy and served on the LDS Cadet Choir. He served as a member of the Student Council during his senior year in high school. Mr. Esplin hopes to continue his studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy and aspires to be an Air Force officer.

Kaela Jane Harnett, daughter of Kurt and Dolores Harnett, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. Ms. Harnett, a 2005 graduate of McMinnville High School, participated in McMinnville High's Symphonic Band and Pep Band. She volunteered for the Angel Tree Program donating gifts to children in need and worked for the News-Register. She has her Temporary Airman - Student Pilot Certificate and aspires to become an Air Force officer.

Jacob Clarke Lethin, son of Clarke and Wendy Lethin, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Lethin, a senior at Colonial Forge High School, has played four years of varsity lacrosse and is a member of the National Honors Society. He has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and participated in the Model United Nations. Mr. Lethin hopes to join the Class of 2011 at the United States Naval Academy and follow in the footsteps of his father, a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Lethin and his family are currently based in Virginia.

John Joseph Quennoz, son of Stephen and Jeanne Quennoz, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Quennoz, a senior at St. Helens High School, was a 2003 Scholar Athlete for track & field and cross country. He plays in the marching, symphonic and jazz band and attended the Global "Destination Imagination" finals in 2005. Mr. Quennoz aspires to be a Navy officer and work in the field of nuclear power.

Alexandra Jean Pitts, daughter of Randy and Cynthia Pitts, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. Ms. Pitts, a senior at Glencoe High School, plays both varsity soccer and basketball. She coaches various children's basketball camps and is on the National Honor Society.

Meghan Elizabeth Jansen, daughter of Lauren Dominguez and step-daughter of Jose Dominguez, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. Ms. Jansen, a freshman, plays basketball for Minot State University. While in high school at Beaverton High School she worked at Centro Cultural and was on the varsity basketball and soccer teams. Ms. Jansen hopes to attend the Air Force Academy this summer, and to pursue her degree in coaching.

Micah David Losli, son of Saige and Pam Losli, has been awarded nominations to the United States Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy. Mr. Losli, a senior at Westview High School, has lettered in varsity football. He served for three years as an elected officer on Westview's student government and participated in Westview's "We The People" Team which competed on a state level. He enjoys volunteering in Westview's "Target Kids" program and aspires to become a military officer.

Andrew Shiau Pan, son of Tai Jee and Show Ru Pan, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. Mr. Pan, a senior at Sunset High School, has lettered in varsity swimming all four years. He is the president of Sunset High School's National Honor Society and an ambassador at the Model United Nations. He finds time to volunteer for the American Red Cross and aspires to become a United States Air Force Officer.

Samone Elizabeth Brockett, daughter of Cyndee Ross- Brockett and Steven Brockett has been awarded a nomination to both the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy. Ms. Brockett, a senior at Sunset High School, has participated on Sunset's varsity cross country, swim and track and field teams and received numerous awards from all three. She participated in the Democratic Mock Convention and found time to volunteer for the Oregon Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive and Humane Society. Ms. Brockett has worked at the National Weather Service and aspires to become a doctor.

David Matthew Merryman, son of Ronald and Ronda Merryman, has been awarded a nomination to both the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy. Mr. Merryman, a senior at Tigard High School has lettered in varsity football and is an announcer for the Tigard softball team. He's co-president of the speech and debate team and participated in the National Youth Leaders Conference. Mr. Merryman has volunteered for the Oregon SOLV Beach Cleanup and the Oregon State Department of Transportation Youth Safety Advisory Group.

Justin Philip Sappington, son of Philip and Lynette Sappington, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Military Academy. Mr. Sappington, a senior at Hillsboro High School, has been nominated to the National Gymnastic Competition for four years in a row. Mr. Sappington also teaches gymnastics and hopes to major in aerospace engineering.

Mark Allan Krieger, son of Jeffrey Krieger and Gina Borino of Aloha, has been awarded nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy and United States Merchant Marines. Mr. Krieger has lettered in varsity water polo and varsity swimming. He was a teacher's assistant and math tutor throughout his high school career and found time to volunteer for the Special Olympics and participate in the 2005 Race for the Cure. He enjoys bowling and hopes to continue his family's long line of service in the military.

Vasant Swarup Vuppuluri, son of Lalitha and Dakshina Murty Vuppuluri, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Vuppuluri, a senior at Westview High School, was a semi-finalist in extemporaneous speaking at the University of Oregon's Speech and Debate Tournament in 2004. He was nominated for the finals in the student congress at the Clackamas High School Speech and Debate Tournament. Mr. Vuppuluri aspires to become a naval officer.

Philip John Wendt, son of John and Pam Wendt, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Wendt, a senior at Beaverton High School, is a two year track & field district finalist and the captain of the varsity football team. Mr. Wendt is an Eagle Scout and National Honor Society Member and aspires to one day fly over the state of Oregon as a naval pilot.

Alex James Burtness, son of Eric Burtness and Paula Inglett, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Burtness, a freshman at Oregon State University and a 2005 graduate of Sunset High School, was Sunset's student body president. He was the water polo team captain at Sunset and found time to organize the Tsunami Fund Appeal which raised $5,000. Mr. Burtness aspires to become a Navy SEAL and Naval officer.

Michael John Chertude Jr., son of Mike and Tami Chertude, has been awarded a nomination and been accepted to the United States Naval Academy. He has also been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy. Mr. Chertude, a senior at Jesuit High School, has lettered all four years in varsity soccer, twice in varsity track and played on the 2005 varsity football team. He was captain of the Olympic Development Soccer Team and has volunteered over 150 hours at the Portland Veterans Medical Center. Mr. Chertude aspires to be an Air Force officer.

Lane Linwood Musgrave, son of Story Musgrave and Carol Peterson Musgrave, has been awarded nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy. Mr. Musgrave, a senior at Oregon Episcopal, has played varsity soccer and basketball since his freshman year. He received 2nd place in the NW Intel Science Fair and won the Air Force Outstanding Project Award for aerospace research. He has volunteered more than 300 hours at OHSU and the VA Medical Center. Mr. Musgrave also enjoys volunteering at the Bird of Prey Program at the Oregon Zoo where he has spent over 100 hours cleaning, feeding and flying the birds. He hopes to attend West Point in the summer.

William Alan Toffler, son of Dr. William Toffler and Marlene Toffler has been awarded a nomination to the United States Military Academy. Mr. Toffler, a senior at Jesuit High School, has lettered in varsity cross country and track and field. He has played piano for ten years and participated in the Civil Air Patrol program. Mr. Toffler has volunteered in the Lifesaver Abstinence Education program for over two years and aspires to become an officer in the Army.