Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced 20 high school students received nominations for admission into our nation’s military academies: Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).

“Every year I am proud to nominate high school seniors to attend our nation’s prestigious service academies,” Castor said. “I am impressed by their high caliber and keen interest in serving America. These inspiring students are tomorrow’s leaders.”

Receiving a nomination to one of our nation’s military academies is an essential step towards receiving an appointment to the academies.  Nominations are earned based upon each student’s interview with Castor’s Nomination Committee, their academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities.  Because of the stringent application requirements, many students begin working on what it takes to apply as early as their first year of high school.

Based upon the process established by federal law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require a nomination from their member of Congress , U.S. Senator or the Vice President of the United States.  Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors and find more information at https://castor.house.gov/constituentservices/serviceacademynominations.htm.

“I am always very thankful of the time and effort my Nomination Committee puts in every year to thoroughly reviewed each application and meet with each student individually,” Castor continued.  “Tampa Bay is a patriotic community and my neighbors and I are proud of our role to develop strong and impressive young leaders that will shape the future of our armed forces and our nation.”

Castor will announce official appointments at a later date after being notified of appointments by the academies.  Today’s announcement is the conclusion of Castor’s 2019 competitive nomination process. The nominees who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend their respective academies in the 2020-2021 school year.

U.S. Rep. Castor granted her nomination to the following students for one or more of the U.S. military academies:

Alexis Betances, Sickles High School – USNA

Anna Grace Brackin, Blake High School – USNA, USAFA

Chi Vu, Chamberlain High School – USNA

Christopher Sullivan, Plant High School – USMA

Cooper Palasti, Gaither High School – USNA, USMA

Estevan Fonseca, Hillsborough High School – USAFA

Everett Smalley, Plant High School – USAFA

Hope Marie Hotchkiss, Plant High School – USNA

Ian McGary, Plant High School – USNA, USMA

Jona Christensen, Tampa Catholic – USAFA

Jonathan Joyner, Robinson High School – USNA, USAFA

Josef Stooks, Steinbrenner High School – USNA

Justin Hileman, Steinbrenner High School – USNA, USAFA

Lucien Parker, Broadneck High School – USMMA

Marshall Hess, Oasis High School – USNA

Nicklaus King, Jesuit High School – USMA

Olivia Perez, Academy of the Holy Names – USMMA

Reagan Overton, King High School – USMA, USNA

Reyna Hernandez, Hillsborough High School – USMA

Robert A. Morris III, Berkeley Preparatory School – USMA