Paul Announces Academy Nominees PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: January 14, 2000

Paul Announces Academy Nominees Candidates represent the best of District 14

Washington, DC -- US Representative Ron Paul this week announced his nominees for the US Service Academies. The student's hometowns span the length of the large and geographically diverse 14th District of Texas. District 14 covers an area including the Texas Gulf Coast, the Coastal Plains and the Texas Hill Country.
Each year, Members of Congress nominate students from their district to the US Military Academy at West Point, NY., the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Co., and the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.
"Being chosen to attend one of the service academies is both a high honor and a serious responsibility," Paul stated. "The men and women that are appointed receive one of the best educations available. In exchange, they agree to serve their nation in the armed services. Our military needs the strong leadership provided by well educated individuals to be able to defend the liberty that was so hard won and could be so easily lost."
The students were selected through a rigorous application process that included interviews with Rep. Paul's Academy Nomination Committee. The committee is made up of community minded individuals representing all parts of the 14th district and include Committee Chairman Don Loucks (USAF, Ret.) of Bastrop, Gen. Edwin Wenglar (USAF, Ret.) of Francitas, Col. Jim Peck (USAF, Ret.) of Lago Vista, Mr. Jim Deats of Blanco, West Point Graduate Dr. Ray Jess of Brazoria County, Mrs. Denise Collier (Asst. Superintendent, Bastrop ISD), Major Simon Benavides of the US Air Force Academy, and Congressman Paul's military and veterans affairs legislative aide Scott Green.
"Even though the interview process was not easy, the nominees had already completed the most difficult aspect of receiving a nomination prior to their appearance before my nomination committee," commented Paul. "Their many years of hard work in school, on the sports field and developing their leadership skills were the real test of their abilities. These students represent the best and brightest the 14th District of Texas and the United States have to offer. We would do well to have each one of these fine young men and women serving in our military and leading our nation."
Rep. Paul has nominated one principal nominee to each of the three military service academies.
For the US Military Academy at West Point, Rep. Paul selected Stoney Portis of Lockhart as his principal nominee. For the principal nomination to the US Naval Academy, Rep. Paul selected Michael James Stoner of Buda. Dan Eric Crow of Lexington received Rep. Paul's principal nomination to the US Air Force Academy.
While nominated, each candidate must still face further examination by the academies before they are offered an appointment to this year's class of freshmen cadets and midshipmen.
"I wish each one of these young people well in their endeavors and know they will serve our state and nation well, regardless of whether or not they attend an academy or serve in the military. The people of the 14th District should be proud of each of these young men and women."

Rep. Paul's Academy Nominees:

US Military Academy (Army)

Stoney Portis
Lockhart
Principal Nominee

Adam Charles Cmerek
Taylor
Competitive Nomination

Geoffrey Michael Comley
Woodbridge, VA
Competitive Nomination

Richard Alan Cook
Kyle
Competitive Nomination

Justin R Muery
Rockport
Competitive Nomination

Scott Alan Merry
Buda
Competitive Nomination

Paul Wenceslaus Pena
San Marcos
Competitive Nomination

Mark Allen Reid
West Columbia
Competitive Nomination

John David Roaten
Rock Port
Competitive Nomination

Jacob Henry Shalley
Van Vleck
Competitive Nomination

US Naval Academy
(Navy and Marines)

Michael James Stoner
Buda
Principal Nominee

Richard Alan Cook
Kyle
Competitive Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig
Buda
Competitive Nomination

Daniel James Flake
Dripping Springs
Competitive Nomination

Stephen Mahoney Ford
Victoria
Competitive Nomination

Daniel James Grumman
Victoria
Competitive Nomination

Alan William Kruppa
LaGrange
Competitive Nomination

Grant Wesley Miller
Victoria
Competitive Nomination

Paul Wenceslause Pena
San Marcos
Competitive Nomination

Roxane Wilma Quinones
Cedar Creek
Competitive Nomination

US Air Force Academy

Dan Eric Crow
Lexington
Principal Nominee

Geoffrey Michael Comley
Woodbridge, VA
Competitive Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig
Buda
Competitive Nomination

Daniel Jame Flake
Dripping Springs
Competitive Nomination

Justin R Muery
Rockport
Competitive Nomination

Erica S Lankford
Luling
Competitive Nomination

Cecilia Concepcion Ramirez
Bay City
Competitive Nomination

John David Roaten
Rockport
Competitive Nomination

James Christopher Sprys
Bay City
Competitive Nomination

Jonathan Armstrong Thomas
Columbus
Competitive Nomination

US Merchant Marine

Geoffrey Michael Comley
Woodbridge, Va
Nomination

Richard Alan Cook
Kyle
Nomination

Dan Eric Crow
Lexington
Nomination

Benjamin Joseph Dullnig
Buda
Nomination

Alan William Kruppa
LaGrange
Nomination

Erica S Lankford
Luling
Nomination

Paul Wenceslaus Pena
San Marcos
Nomination

Stoney Portis
Lockhart
Nomination

Michael James Stoner
Buda
Nomination

Jonathan Armstrong Thomas
Columbus
Nomination