"I would like to congratulate these students for their many outstanding achievements," Harkin said. "An academy nomination is a great honor because of the intense competition for these nominations across the state of Iowa. In order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic and athletic abilities. Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character."
In a typical year, Harkin receives more than 150 applications from young Iowans interested in pursuing a career as a military officer. Students apply for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
Academy nomination finalists are interviewed by Senator Harkin's Academy Selection Board, during which time their motivation, poise and self-expression are measured. Harkin may nominate up to ten applicants to compete for each available vacancy. From the Senator's nominees, the academy then selects the final candidate who will be offered an appointment.
A list of this year`s nominees is below.
Altoona
Jacob Cole has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Jacob is the son of Jamie Cole and Jeff Cole and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.
Altoona
Jacob Marnin has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Jacob is the son of Kelli and Joseph Marnin and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.
Ames
Payton Boylston has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Payton is the daughter of Terri and Latinus Boylston and is a senior at Ames High School.
Ames
Jeffrey Bright has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jeffrey is the son of Sheila and Charles Bright and is currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Ames
Molly Sanders has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Molly is the daughter of Calli and Rick Sanders and is a senior at Ames High School High School.
Ankeny
Zach Hoffman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Zach is the son of Samantha Bailey and Chris Hoffman and is a senior at Carroll High School High School.
Bettendorf
Robert Beardsely has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Robert is the son of Kimberly Loehr and Robert Beardsely and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.
Boone
Paul Solomon has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Paul is the son of Elizabeth and Daniel Solomon and is a senior at Boone High School.
Cedar Rapids
Jonas Mason has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Jonas is the son of Debbie and Brett Mason and is a senior at Linn-Mar High School.
Cedar Rapids
Barak Spittle has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Barak is the son of Elena and Charles Spittle and is a senior at Linn Marr High School.
Clive
Nicholas Fox has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Nicholas is the son of Amy and John Fox and is a senior at Valley High School.
Clive
Connor McCann has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Connor is the son of Jana and Troy McCann and a graduate of Valley High School High School. He is currently enrolled at Iowa State University.
Clutier
Nathan Dvorak has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nathan is the son of Dori and Thomas Dvorak and is a senior at Union High School.
Coggon
Diana Carney has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Diana is the daughter of Ilia and Cameron Carney and is a senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School High School.
Coon Rapids
Levi Pingrey has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Levi is the son of Julie and Kenneth Pingrey and is a senior at Coon Rapids-Bayard High School.
Council Bluffs
Alexander Jones has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Alexander is the son of Colleen and Jason Hertz and is a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School.
Cresco
Mark Farlinger has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mark is the son of Amy and Clint Farlinger and is a senior at Crestwood High School.
Cumming
Kallie Baughman has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Kallie is the daughter of Gayla and Kyle Baughman and is a senior at Valley High School.
Decorah
Micheal Foster has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Micheal is the son of Karen and Kent Foster and is a senior at Decorah High School.
Des Moines
Luis Martinez has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luis is the son of Maria and Rafael Martinez and is a senior at Abraham Lincoln High School High School.
Granville
Caroline Ascherl has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Caroline is the daughter of Donna and Joseph Ascherl and is a senior at MOC-Floyd Valley High School.
Hudson
John Worthington has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. John is the son of Glynis and Wayne Worthington and is a senior at Hudson High School.
Iowa City
Yair Abramoff has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Yair is the son of Dewi and Michael Abramoff and is a senior at West Senior High School.
Iowa City
Jacob Cabbage has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Joanne and Michael Cabbage and is a senior at City High School.
Jewell
Sidney Alsager has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Sidney is the son of Stacy and Jerry Alsger and is a senior at South Hamilton High School.
Johnston
Jacqueline Galang has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jacqueline is the daughter of Tammy Galang and Emerito Galang and is a senior at Johnston High School.
Johnston
Jacob Orr has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jacob is the son of Suzanne and Timothy Orr and is a senior at Johnston High School High School.
Treynor
Dane Livengood has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Dane is the son of Heather and William Livengood and is a graduate of Treynor High School. He is currently attending the Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas.
La Motte
Joseph Budde has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchernt Marine Academy. Joseph is the Grandson of Thomas J. Budde and is a senior at Dubuque Senior High School High School.
Letts
Jaryd Huffman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jaryd is the son of Rachel and Dyrk Huffman and is a senior at Muscatine High School.
Marion
Griffin Lorenz has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Griffin is the son of Leslie and David Griffin and is a senior at Linn-Mar High School.
Mason City
Lauren Casey has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lauren is the daughter of Shelley and Edward Casey and is graduate of Mason City High School. She is currently attending the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.
Norwalk
Ethan Pieper has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Ethan is the son of Alayne and Melvin Pieper and is a graduate of Norwalk High School. He is currently attending Iowa State University.
Orange City
Trever Huss has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Trever is the son of Carrina and Kerby Huss and is a senior at MOC-Floyd Valley High School.
Oskaloosa
Lauren Gorski has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lauren is the daughter of April and Frank Gorski and is a senior at Oskaloosa Senior High School High School.
Otley
Joshua Bailey has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Joshua is the son of Stephanie and Scott Bailey and is a senior at Homeschool High School.
Pella
Jean Etnyre has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jean is the daughter of Jennifer Etnyer and Andrew Etnyer and is a senior at Pella Community High School.
Primghar
Gunnar Klinker has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Gunnar is the son of Dianne and William Klinker and is a graduate of South O'Brien High School.
Saint Charles
Michael Snell has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Michael is the son of Juli Henley and Todd Snell and is a senior at Interstate 35 Community High School.
Saint Donatus
Gabrielle Tath has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Gabrielle is the daughter of Amy and Ratha Tath and is a senior at Marquette High School.
Sioux Center
Graham Zomermaand has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Graham is the son of Lori and Dan Zomermannd and is a senior at Sioux Center Communitty High School.
Sioux City
Natalie Wender has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Natalie is the daughter of Jan and Donald Wender and is a senior at St Johns Preporatory High School.
Slater
Alexander Silberstein has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Alexander is the son of Patsey and Quentin Silberstien and is a senior at Ballard High School.
Springville
Andrew Lorimer has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Andrew is the son of Julie and Richard Lorimer and is a senior at Springville Secondary High School.
Underwood
Tobey Yates has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Tobey is the daughter of Honey and Arthur Yates and is a senior at Underwood High School.
Urbana
Elizabeth Hearn has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Elizabeth is the daughter of Paulette Hearn and Dennis Hearn and is a senior at Center Point Urbana High School.
West Burlington
Jeffrey Giannettino has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jeffrey is the son of Valeen and Chip Giannettino and is a senior at Notre Dame High School.
West Des Moines
Luke Donnelly has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luke is the son of Janet and Dennis Donnelly and is a senior at Roosevelt High School.
West Des Moines
Harrison Gudorf has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Harrison is the son of Shelley and Joe Gudorf and is a senior at Dowling Catholic High School High School.
West Des Moines
Kelly Lee has been nominated to the U.S. Miltary Academy. Kelly is the daughter of Haeduck Seo and Seungchul Lee and is a senior at Valley High School High School.
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