Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the names of 15 high school students from the Fourth District of Oklahoma that he has nominated for entry into one of America’s prestigious military academies. The academies that receive congressionally nominated students include the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.
The nomination process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores and school records. Other criteria considered by Congressman Cole and the recommendation panel includes athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied.
“Volunteering to serve one’s country in our armed services is worthy of tremendous respect and gratitude,” said Cole. “I am honored to recommend 15 of the best and brightest high school students from the Fourth District to attend one of our country’s esteemed military academies. Their determination to serve this great nation is noble and truly inspiring to all Americans.”
The list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they have been nominated. Note that applications are still being considered by the selection committees for potential admission at the various academies. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies.
U.S. Air Force Academy
Matthew Aguilar, Lawton – Lawton MacArthur High School
Alexis Evans, Moore – Southmoore High School
Grace Flanagan, Walters – Epic Charter Schools
Sadie Garnett, Elgin – Elgin High School
Bryce Graham, Oklahoma City – Christian Heritage Academy
Bethany Jeffries, Norman – Community Christian School
Owen Kinzer, Moore – Moore High School
William James Lawler, Noble – Community Christian School
Joshua Shropshire, Moore – Mount St. Mary High School
Aden Shumard, Tuttle – Newcastle High School
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Matthew Aguilar, Lawton – Lawton MacArthur High School
Luke Blackmon, Fort Sill – Lawton MacArthur High School
Sadie Garnett, Elgin – Elgin High School
Bryce Graham, Oklahoma City – Christian Heritage Academy
Adelaide Haack, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Bethany Jeffries, Norman – Community Christian School
Aden Shumard, Tuttle – Newcastle High School
U.S. Naval Academy
Matthew Aguilar, Lawton – Lawton MacArthur High School
Jackson Clark, Norman – The Academy of Classical Christian Studies
Alexis Evans, Moore – Southmoore High School
Sadie Garnett, Elgin – Elgin High School
Owen Kinzer, Moore – Moore High School
William James Lawler, Noble – Community Christian School
Anna O’Dell, Moore – Moore High School
Aden Shumard, Tuttle – Newcastle High School
Payton Thomas, Moore – Moore High School
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Anna O’Dell, Moore – Moore High School
