Congressman John Salazar Nominates Colorado Students Competing to Attend U.S. Service Academies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) nominated several Colorado students in the 3rd Congressional District for possible appointments to the U.S. Service Academies’ classes of 2011.  Throughout the highly competitive academy selection process, these students demonstrated outstanding qualifications of good moral character, a commendable academic record, excellent leadership potential, and the motivation to serve as an officer in the United States Armed Forces.  Rep. Salazar says he is proud to nominate these students.

“It is a great honor to be accepted into a U.S. Service Academy,” said Salazar.  “Given the opportunity, these young men and women would serve our country well.” 

These nominations were determined by a competitive evaluation process conducted by a Community Merit Selection Committee.  These students will now compete with other nominees nationwide for final appointments. 

The students and the academies they were nominated for are listed below:

U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO

Stephen David Bell (Steamboat Springs, CO), Ryan Augustus Benson (Grand Junction, CO), Ashley Marie Fish (Aspen, CO), Zachary David Ruppel (Steamboat Springs, CO), Eli Robert Spitzer (Fowler, CO), Elizabeth Anna-Marie Tipton (Cortez, CO), Chad Lee Weaver (Mancos, CO), Cody James Weaver (Mancos, CO), Ryan Michael Wilkinson (Pueblo, CO), Harley Thomas Hollenbeck (Ouray, CO), David Philip Shrift (Fowler, CO)

U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD

Samantha Josephine Blea (Rifle, CO), Stephen Rane Brown (Palisade, CO), Nikolas Bradford Frye (Grand Junction, CO), Harley Thomas Hollenbeck (Ouray, CO), Joy Ruth Nameth (Walden, CO), Eli Robert Spitzer (Fowler, CO)

U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY

Jason Robert Landis (Walden, CO), Yance Ray Waibel (Cedaredge, CO)

The Congressman’s office is now accepting applications for next year’s nominations; please contact (970) 245-7107 to request a package.
Applicants for nominations must be: 
• citizens of the United States and residents of the 3rd Congressional District of Colorado,
• at least 17 years of age and must not have passed their 23rd birthday on July 1st of the year of entry, 
• unmarried and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents, at the time of admission to an Academy.