A high school senior named Sydney Heithoff from Raymond recently submitted an essay to my office. She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, participates in many sports, and volunteers in her community. In her essay, entitled “An American Leader I Admire,” Sydney initially spoke of Abraham Lincoln and FDR. Then she shifted her focus. 

Sydney wrote, “I consider my father to be a true American Leader. My father has dedicated twenty-eight years of his life to the Air National Guard and Air Reserves, and is also a Fire Captain for the beautiful city of Lincoln.” She continued, “The sense of pride I feel when I see my dad in uniform, or when the local news is covering a fire that my father was a part of, is something that I will always hold on to. I hope that one day I can pass that on to my children.” 

Sydney wrote these words as part of her application to the United States Air Force Academy. I nominated Sydney and 11 other young Nebraskans to our nation’s military service academies. If you want to revive your hope in America, talk to the young people who are so eager to serve our country.

A military academy appointment bestows a tremendous honor and a great responsibility. These students all demonstrate capacity for leadership, personal integrity, and rigorous scholarship. It is always gratifying to receive applications from young people who want to attend a service academy and pursue a lifetime of service to our country. I believe the Nebraska values instilled in these students readies them for the sacrifice of military life. 

While the academies are one pathway to military service, there are numerous other options for young people who wish to serve. In fact, I was so impressed recently when I was visiting David City High School students. A young man and a young woman told me they were readying themselves to enter military service after graduation. All of these young people deserve our highest commendation.

Following are the 2013 military academy nominees:

Marshall Balschweid of Lincoln Christian School. Marshall is the son of Mark and Mae Anne Balschweid and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Cody Boche of Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk. Cody is the son of Craig and Nancy Boche and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Roger Brohimer of Fremont High School. Roger is the son of Edward Brohimer and Kathy Belak and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Thomas Dalton III of Lincoln Pius X High School. Thomas is the son of Renee and Thomas Dalton and has been nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Trenton Hays of Lincoln Southeast High School. Trenton is the son of Josh and Shawna Hays and has been nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Sydney Heithoff of Raymond Central High School. Sydney is the daughter of Mark and Leigh Heithoff and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Peter Jaros of Lincoln Pius X High School. Peter is the son of Steven and Elizabeth Jaros and has been nominated to the United States Military Academy.

Campbell Kennedy of Lincoln Southwest High School. Campbell is the son of Bradley and Kerry Kennedy and has been nominated to the United States Military Academy.

John Kruse of Lincoln East High School. John is the son of Andy and Terry Kruse and has been nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

K Parriott of Conestoga Junior/Senior High School in Murray. K is the daughter of James and Rita Parriott and has been nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Kyle Ramage of Bellevue West High School. Kyle is the son of Rex and Cheryl Ramage and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Carter Rau of Lincoln East High School. Carter is the son of Jason and Wendy Rau and has been nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.