ABILENE, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week hosted his annual Service Academy Day to review applications and interview candidates applying for admission to United States Service Academies. The event took place at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. Sen. Moran’s Service Academy selection board met with more than 40 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.

“This event has always been a favorite of mine because I get to meet some of the best and brightest young people in our state,” said Sen. Moran. “It also reminds me that Kansas produces smart, hard-working, civic-minded individuals who want to give back to Kansas and our country. I appreciate the help and hard work of my selection board, which is composed of leaders from across our state who take a great interest in seeing students succeed.”

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 will make 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 on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2017. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2017.

Students interviewed include Jacob Bohnemann of Fort Leavenworth; Harrison Boldt of Merriam; Dawson Bromlow of Eastborough; Logan Camilletti, Ryan Devers, Hunter Holloman, Lucas Jackson, William Wagemaker and Mason Witzke of Topeka; Adam Campbell and Sarah Turner of Fort Riley; Ivan Chavez of Dodge City; Chad Coates, Noah Didier, Jack Russell, Cole Smith, Wesley Weissend and Karen Yan of Overland Park; Cole Dahlquist, Jacob Taylor and Madison Wheat of Shawnee; Eldon Davis-Picou of Manhattan; Conner Ekerberg, Landon Moore and Logan Treaster of Newton; Joseph Harms, Luke Longren and Camryn Mathis of Lawrence; Annelise Holland of Olathe; Michael Howard of Peru; Luke Kuklenski of Prairie Village; Trent Madden of Andover; Cooper May of Leawood; William McConwell of Fairway; Chase Penka of Derby; Patrick Porch of Halstead; Kitt Regier of Hesston; Brandon Stegman of Holcomb; Ethan Strong of Auburn; Owen Swanberg of Leawood; Victoria Wall of Mission; Aubrey Willis of Hoyt; Eric Wilson of Girard; Samuel Wittman of Herington; Eric Wright of Coffeyville; and Max Yates of Bonner Springs.

Members of the 2016 service academy selection board include Dennis Butler of Ottawa; Ardith Dunn of Satanta; Sue Givens of El Dorado; Robin Jackson of Hutchinson; Ryan Kriegshauser and Andy Tompkins of Topeka; Cheryl Kerns and Brian Kessens of Overland Park; Sam Turner of Leawood; Katrina Lewison of Manhattan; Marche Fleming-Randle, Sean Ritchie and John O’Leary of Wichita; Jayne Pearce of Wallace; Paula Ripple of Dodge City; Delbert Stanton of Hays and Ron Whitney of Emporia.

Click here for more information about Sen. Moran’s 2016 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board.

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