U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) named the following students for nomination to the military academies:

• Ryan Cook of Huntington High School and U.S. Military Academy Prep School for nomination to West Point
•  Gary Dexter Moore, Jr. of Bluefield High School for nomination to West Point
• Jordan Allen Maynor of Mount Hope High School for nomination to West Point
•  Nathan Z. Sowder of Bluefield High School for nomination to West Point
•  Joshua C. Young of Wyoming East High School for nomination to West Point
•  James Kozak of Sherman High School for nomination to West Point
•  Victoria Wilburn of Huntington for nomination to West Point
•  Matthew Hensley of Woodrow Wilson High School and Air Force National Guard Tech School for nomination to Air Force Academy
•  Joseph K. Fry of Covenant School for nomination to Air Force and U.S. Naval academies
•  Andrew Skala of Princeton High School for nomination to U.S. Naval Academy
•  Jacob E. Sheets of Princeton High School for nomination to U.S. Naval Academy
•  Caleb Stevens of Mercer County for nomination to U.S. Naval Academy
•  Philip Treadway of Shady Spring High School for nomination to U.S. Naval Academy

"Theodore M. Hesburgh, one of the most influential educators of the 20th century, once said, 'The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.' At the service academies, our future leaders learn to sound a certain call to honor and duty," Rahall said. "If chosen, these students will represent our State well."

The federal service academies combine a top education with military command. Service academy students major in a variety of subjects, from sciences to humanities. When they graduate they are given an officer's commission. Admission is a two-step process. From a pool of candidates nominated by Members of Congress and U.S. Senators, the schools themselves choose the select group of students to be offered appointment.

"At the service academies, young West Virginians can become the officers who lead our fighting forces to victory," Rahall said. "The leadership skills the academies teach guide these students for the rest of their lives. These future leaders will certainly make West Virginia proud."