Paul announces Academy nominees PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: January 13, 1999

Paul announces Academy nominees Slate of candidates high quality, highly competitive

WASHINGTON, DC -- US Rep. Ron Paul this week has announced his slate of nominees for the four military academies. The students represent every region of the geographically diverse 14th District.
Each year, Members of Congress have various types of nomination they can make to the US Military Academy at West Point, NY, the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co., and the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.
"These students represent among the best and brightest in the 14th District, in Texas and in the United States. We would do well to have each one of these fine young men and women serving in our military and leading our nation," said Rep. Paul. "The committee and I were pleased with how strong a slate of candidates applied; every one of them would be a great choice for our academies."
The students were selected through a rigorous application process that included interviews with Rep. Paul's Academy Nomination Committee. The committee includes committee chairman Major Don Loucks (USAF, ret.) of Bastrop, Gen. Edwin Wenglar of Francitas (USAF, ret.), Col. Jim Peck of Lago Vista (USAF, ret.), Mr. Paul Leininger of Shiner, Mr. Jim Deats of Blanco, West Point graduate Dr. Ray Jess of Brazoria County, Mr. David Chiu of San Marcos, and Major Simon Benavides of the USAF Academy.
Rep. Paul had two principal-nominee positions to fill for the US Military Academy at West Point. His nominees are Ryan Cernoch of La Grange and Russell Thomas of Eagle Lake.
To the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Rep. Paul selected as his principle nominee Thomas "Chris" Christopher Denton of Angleton.
For the US Air Force Academy, Rep. Paul's two principal nominees are Jerod Harris of Victoria and Nathan Wallace of Lexington.
A complete list of all nominees to the academies follows on the second page of this release.
While nominated, each candidate must still face further examination by the academies before they are assured a position in this year's class of freshmen cadets.
"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 14th District is proud of each of these young men and women." A complete list of nominees and their hometowns follows.

Rep. Paul's Academy Nominees:

US Military Academy (Army)

Ryan Aaron Cernoch

LaGrange

Principal Nominee

Russell Barrett Thomas

Eagle Lake

Principal Nominee

Jerod Harris

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

Forrest Kroschel, Jr.

Hallettsville

Competitive Alternate

Scott Merry

Buda

Competitive Alternate

Nathan Wallace

Lexington

Competitive Alternate

Elliot Kruppa

LaGrange

Competitive Alternate

Kevin Cook

Bay City

Competitive Alternate

Jeremy Turner

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

Steven Schmidt

Waller

Competitive Alternate

US Naval Academy (Navy and Marines)

Thomas "Chris" Christopher Denton

Angleton

Principal Nominee

Jonathan Chapman

Wharton

Competitive Alternate

Forrest Kroschel, Jr.

Hallettsville

Competitive Alternate

Cecilia Ramirez

Bay City

Competitive Alternate

Kevin Cook

Bay City

Competitive Alternate

Scott Merry

Buda

Competitive Alternate

Jeremy Turner

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

Daniel Grumman

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

Ryan Naquin

Sweeny

Competitive Alternate

Wesley Miller

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

US Air Force Academy (Air Force)

Nathan Wallace

Lexington

Principal Nominee

Jerod Harris

Victoria

Principal Nominee

Matthew Hodges

El Campo

Competitive Alternate

Scott Merry

Buda

Competitive Alternate

Peter Wooster

Jones Creek

Competitive Alternate

Kevin Cook

Bay City

Competitive Alternate

Jacob Baker

Bastrop

Competitive Alternate

Russell Thomas

Eagle Lake

Competitive Alternate

Nathan Denton

Angleton

Competitive Alternate

Christopher Pustka

Lockhart

Competitive Alternate

Jeremy Turner

Victoria

Competitive Alternate

Cecilia Ramirez

Bay City

Competitive Alternate

US Merchant Marine Academy

Peter Wooster

Jones Creek

Nominee

Daniel Grumman

Victoria

Nominee

Elliot Kruppa

LaGrange

Nominee

Jerod Harris

Victoria

Nominee

Kevin Cook

Bay City

Nominee

Ryan Aaron Cernoch

LaGrange

Nominee

Russell Thomas

Eagle Lake

Nominee

Wesley Miller

Victoria

Nominee