WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today nominated 53 Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Military Academy, West Point for the 2014 class.

"An academy nomination is a great honor.  Not only is there intense competition across the State of Iowa, but in order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic, and athletic abilities," Harkin said.  "Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character.  I am pleased to nominate these students and would like to congratulate them for their many outstanding achievements."

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.

After March 1, 2014, men and women between the ages of 17 and 22 who are interested in pursuing a nomination to one of the academies for the class entering in 2015, should go to http://www.harkin.senate.gov and complete Senator Harkin's online Service Academy application, or contact Senator Harkin's Cedar Rapids Office at (319)365-4504.

A list of this year's nominees is below.

Ankeny

Caroline Schmell has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Caroline is the daughter of Cindy Schmell and Gerald Schmell and is a senior at Ankeny High School.

Bettendorf

Cole Bunn has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Cole is the son of Lisa and James Bunn and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Bettendorf

Micaela Finney has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Micaela is the daughter of Sherril and Charles Finney and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Bettendorf

Kyle Hollenback has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Kyle is the son of Jennifer and Craig Hollenback and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Blue Grass

Alex Reed has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Alex is the son of Cindy and Jeff Reed and is a senior at Davenport West High School.

Bondurant

Clayton Beck has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Clayton is the son of Susan and Blair Beck and is a senior at Bondurant-Farrar High School.

Boone

Jennifer Behn has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Jennifer is the daughter of Dennise and Herry Behn and is a senior at Boone High School.

Brooklyn

Rhett Nowotny has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Rhett is the son of Danielle and Rob Nowotny and is a senior at HLV Community High School.

Carroll

Seth Horesley has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Seth is the son of Kristina and Duane Horsley and is a senior at Carroll High School.

Cedar Falls

Jacob Pence has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Amy and Jason Pence and is a senior at Cedar Falls High School.

Cedar Rapids

Nicholas Swartz has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Nicholas is the son of Julie and Tim Swartz and is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School.

Clive

Benjamin Halley has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Benjamin is the son of Alyson and Brett  Halley and is a senior at Waukee High School.

Clive

Connor McCann has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Connor is the son of Jana and Troy McCann and is a senior at Valley High School.

Clive

Henry Oberman has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Henry is the son of Karen and Tony Oberman and is a senior at Waukee High School.

Clive

Devinder Sandhu has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Devinder is the daughter of Daljit and Pardip Sandhu and is a 2010 graduate of Valley High School. She is currently serving with the Iowa Air National Guard.

Clive

Zachary Zimmerman has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Zachary is the son of Stephanie Bratton and Douglas Zimmerman and is a senior at Valley High School.

Coralville

Hannah Fairfield has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Hannah is the daughter of Catherine and Clare Fairfield and is a senior at West High School.

Coralville

Ryan Holte has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Ryan is the son of Julie and Jim Holte and is a senior at Iowa City West High School.

Coralville

Connor Schueler has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Connor is the son of Kerry and Darrel Schueler and is a senior at Iowa City West High School.

Council Bluffs

Gustave Doll has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Gustave is the son of Elizabeth and Scott and is a senior at St Albert High School.

Davenport

Walter DeDoncker has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Walter is the son of Jody and John DeDoncker and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Davenport

Roy Schindler has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Roy is the son of Shana and Kurt Schindler and is a senior at Davenport Central High School.

Des Moines

Nick Biancalana has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Nick is the son of Brenda and Tony Biancalana and is a senior at Roosevelt High School.

Des Moines

Harrison Farrell has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Harrison is the son of Janet and Richard Farrell and is 2013 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School.  He is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School in West Point, New York.

Des Moines

Jessica Thomerson has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Jessica is the daughter of Katy McKee Richmond and Joseph Thomerson and is a senior at Dowling High School.

Dubuque

Kaizer Gukeisen has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Kaizer is the son of Kathy and Michael Gukeisen and is a senior at Dubuque Senior High School.

Fort Madison

Nick Krone has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Nick is the son of Carolyn Krone and is a senior at Holy Trinity Catholic High School.

Griswold

Jose Olivo has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Jose is the son of Lisa Petry and Jose Olivo and is a 2013 graduate of Griswold High School.  He is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School in West Point, New York.

Harlan

Luke Schmitz has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luke is the son of Kristine Schmitz and Alan Schmitz and is a 2013 graduate of Harlan High School.  He is currently attending Morningside College in Sioux City.

Ida Grove

Jacob Matthies has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Becky and Dan Matthies and is a senior at OA-BCIG High School.

Iowa City

Neil Harte has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Neil is the son of Lyudmila and Willis Harte and is a senior at City High School.

Marion

John Gorman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. John is the son of Cathy and Joseph Gorman and is a senior at Marion High School.

Mason City

Lauren Casey has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Lauren is the daughter of Shelly and Edward Casey and is a senior at Mason City High School.

Mitchellville

Cameron Lawler has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Cameron is the son of Donna and LaBrent Lawler and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.

Monticello

Nicholas Meyers has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nicholas is the son of Debra and David Meyers and is a senior at Monticello High School.

Norwalk

Ethan Pieper has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Ethan is the son of Alayne and Melvin Pieper and is a senior at Norwalk High School.

Otley

Joshua Bailey has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Joshua is the son of Stephanie and Scott Bailey and is a senior at Heritage Christian Academy.

Parnell

Maeve Broeg has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Maeve is the daughter of Lenni and Kirtis Broeg and is a senior at Williamsburg High School.

Reinbeck

Peter Meyers has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Peter is the son of Laura and Joel Meyers and is a senior at Gladbrook Reinbeck High School.

Sibley

Matthew Vander Ploeg has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Matthew is the son of Dorothy and Verle and is a senior at Sibley-Ocheyedan Community High School.

Sioux City

Drew Piersma has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Drew is the daughter of Teresa and Scott Piersma and is a senior at North High School.

Sioux Rapids

Katie Gibson has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Katie is the daughter of Carolyn Gibson and is a senior at Sioux Central High School.

Solon

Erin Evans has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Erin is the daughter of Lisa and Donald Evans and is a 2013 graduate of Solon High School.  She is currently attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Solon

Lance Evans has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lance is the son of Lisa and Don Evans and is a senior at Solon High School.

Solon

Austin Hunt has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Austin is the son of Sandra Schebler and Jeff Hunt and is a senior at Solon High School.

Solon

Matthew Quinn has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Matthew is the son of Geralyn and Mark Quinn and is a senior at Solon High School.

Springville

Shannon Gorman has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Shannon is the daughter of Mitsue and Joseph Gorman and is a senior at Cedar Rapids George Washington High School.

State Center

Phillip Ramierz has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Phillip is the son of Lisa and Esteban Ramirez and is a senior at Vilseck High School in Vilseck, Germany.

Story City

Thomas Wilgenbusch has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Thomas is the son of Erin and Michael Wilgenbusch and is a senior at Roland-Story High School.

Urbandale

Dalton Doom has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Dalton is the son of Tamara and Bruce Doom and is a senior at Waukee Community High School.

Waukee

Anamaria Angel has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Anamaria is the son of Jean Angle and Jose Angle and is a senior at Van Meter CSD High School.

West Burlington

Conner Tillo has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Conner is the son of Leigh Ann and Ted Tillo and is a senior at West Burlington High School.

West Des Moines

Emily Junker has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Emily is the daughter of Chris Junker and Vince Junker and is a senior at Van Meter High School.