WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has nominated 42 Kansas students to enter the United States Service Academies as part of the class of 2018.

“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.”

Sen. Moran’s nominees include:

United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.
Chad Buzzell, Overland Park
Patrick Lim, Overland Park
Allison Williams, Overland Park
Camden Schieffer, Leawood
Jacob Taylor, Shawnee
Patrick Sullivan, Westwood
Carson Davis, Gardner
Marshall Kellner, De Soto
Cole Dudley, Manhattan
Cole Resnik, Topeka
Carter Black, Wichita
David McCune, Valley Center
Glynn Smith, Leavenworth
Leah Wiegers, Lansing
Camden McFarland, Girard
Charles Bermel, Lawrence
Joseph Harms, Lawrence
Parker Nemechek, Goodland
Luke Socolofsky, Marion
Dawson Williams, Dodge City

United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Jack Russell, Lawrence
Karen Yan, Overland Park
Hayley Murguia, Olathe
Benjamin Hanson, Olathe
Dennis Rice, Prairie Village
James Sayles, Meriden
Luke Windish, Wichita
Zachary Bolen, Fort Leavenworth
Gabriel Casmus, Lansing
Abigail Waugh, Leavenworth

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Leawood
Ernest Pereira, Leawood
Thomas Finn, Overland Park
Ansel Herndon, Overland Park
Caden Merrick, Overland Park
Carter Black, Wichita
Kendal Davis, Wichita
Jacob Ruder, Wichita
Daniel Christie, Lansing
Carson Lucas, Leavenworth

United States Merchant Marines Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.
Ernest Pereira, Leawood
Ansel Herndon, Overland Park
Caden Merrick, Overland Park
Thomas Finn, Overland Park
Logan Emery, Shawnee
Katherine Baldessari, Wichita
Kendal Davis, Wichita
Jack Steiner, Andover
Carson Lucas, Leavenworth
Daniel Christie, Lansing

Interviews took place at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene in October. Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board considered more than 60 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 makes recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision. If nominated by Sen. Moran, applicants must then 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. 

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