Nolan Announces 2014 Service Academy Appointments

[DULUTH, MN] – U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (MN-08) announced today that 8 students from Minnesota’s Eighth District accepted offers of appointment to one of the nation’s service academies.

“It’s an enormous honor to take part in one of our nation’s oldest traditions of nominating accomplished and motivated young people for acceptance into our fine service academies,” said Rep. Nolan. “These outstanding individuals have shown leadership, fortitude, and a commitment to their country which no doubt will serve them well. I have great hopes for their futures and for the future of our nation with these promising young men and women in its service.”

Every year, Congressman Nolan has the ability to nominate graduating students to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY (Army), the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD (Navy), the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO (Air Force), United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY (transportation industries and military reserve).

Nominees were selected after a rigorous application process that considered academic and athletic achievements, leadership skills, character, extra-curricular activities, and drive to succeed. Rep. Nolan established a distinguished committee of former Military Academy graduates that interviewed potential nominees, reviewed their applications, and made recommendations. A Congressional nomination on its own does not guarantee admission to one of the service academies, as the academies’ respective admissions boards decide who is ultimately admitted.

The following students from Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District accepted an offer of appointment to one of the following academies:

U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

Dalton Calicher, from Grand Rapids

Timothy Porter, from Duluth

Nicholas Decenzo, from Eveleth

Katheryn Moonen, from Sturgeon Lake (Enrolling in the U.S. Military Academy Prep School this fall)

U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)

Eric Dewitte, from Carlton

Tyler Haig, from Goodland

U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)

Ryan De La Hunt, from Park Rapids

Alisha Martin, from Duluth

More information regarding service academy appointments, including how to apply, are available here. Rep. Nolan will begin accepting applications in mid-August 2014 for those interested in entering one of the Service Academies in the summer of 2015.