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Sen. Moran with Chad Buzzell (top left), Patrick Lim (top middle), Allison Williams (top right), Thomas Finn (second row left), Ansel Herndon (second row middle), Caden Merrick (second row right), Camden Schieffer (third row left), Ryan Fitzgerald (third row middle), Ernest Pereira (third row right), Hayley Murguia (fourth row left), Logan Emery (fourth row middle), Dennis Rice (fourth row right), Patrick Sullivan (last row left), Carson Davis (last row middle) and Marshall Kellner (last row right).

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has nominated 18 Kansas City-Area students for admission to a United States Service Academy.

“Having the chance to nominate some of Kansas’ best and brightest young people to our United States Service Academies is a distinct honor for me each year,” said Sen. Moran. “I am proud of each and every one of these students, who have demonstrated a commitment to service, the drive to succeed and tremendous dedication to our state and our nation.”

Students nominated from the Kansas City area include Chad Buzzell, Patrick Lim, Allison Williams, Karen Yan, Thomas Finn, Ansel Herndon and Caden Merrick of Overland Park; Camden Schieffer, Ryan Fitzgerald and Ernest Pereira of Leawood; Hayley Murguia and Benjamin Hanson of Olathe; Logan Emery and Jacob Taylor of Shawnee; Dennis Rice of Prairie Village; Patrick Sullivan of Westwood; Carson Davis of Gardner and Marshall Kellner of DeSoto.

Photos of the students can be found here.

Interviews took place at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board considered more than 70 young Kansans interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Academy nominees submit an application that includes a personal statement, resume, letters of reference, academic transcripts and standardized test scores. Following the interviews, the board made recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision. Sen. Moran’s nominees must meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision of who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2018. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2018.

Click here for more information and a video from this year’s Service Academy Selection Day. A full list of the academies each student applied for can be found here.

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