Academy nominees make Central Washington proud

“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” World War Two hero Jimmy Doolittle once said. Last week, I had the privilege to announce my nomination of 11 volunteers across Central Washington for consideration to attend U.S. military academies including West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. Each year, I have the honor of providing nominations for prospective students at U.S. service academies. Students must complete applications for nominations, which includes an interview process with my military academy advisory board. The final determination for admittance will be made by the respective academies.

I applaud each and every one of these students. If accepted, their decision to apply to a service academy, which comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. The young people below demonstrate the best of Central Washington, and we can all be proud of them for their desire to serve.

Every year, I am impressed by the academic success, hard work, and personal accomplishment demonstrated by applicants. These young people have shown that they have the hearts of volunteers. For more information on nominations, please contact my Yakima office at 402 E. Yakima Avenue, Suite 1000, call (509) 452-3243, or check online at Newhouse.house.gov.

U.S. Air Force Academy nominees include: Ryan Child, a senior at Kamiakin High School and the son of Scott and Viola Child; Brian Dean, a senior at Richland High School and the son of Robert and JoAnna Dean; Kori Fay, a senior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia and the daughter of Timothy and Kathleen Fay of Richland; Nathan Haggard, a graduate at Richland High School and the son of Brad and Patricia Haggard; Jonathan Leach, a senior at Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina and the son of Michael and Janine Turnington of Tonasket; Jacobe Lee, a graduate at Richland High School and the son of Jason and Heather Lee; Brayden McCarley, a senior at Kennewick High School and the son of Samuel and Nakra McCarley; William Middlebrooks, a senior at Selah High School and the son of Trent and Leah Middlebrooks; Aditya Subramanian, a senior at Hanford High School and the son of Kasthik and Radhika Subramanian.

U.S. Military Academy at West Point nominees include: Tyler Birchenough, a senior at Richland High School and the son of Robert and Jennifer Birchenough; Kori Fay, a senior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia and the daughter of Timothy and Kathleen Fay of Richland; William Middlebrooks, a senior at Selah High School and the son of Trent and Leah Middlebrooks.

U.S. Naval Academy nominees include: Tyler Birchenough, a senior at Richland High School and the son of Robert and Jennifer Birchenough; David Jimenez, a graduate at Sunnyside High School and the son of Jose and Maria Jimenez. Jonathan Leach, a senior at Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina and the son of Michael and Janine Turnington of Tonasket; Brayden McCarley, a senior at Kennewick High School and the son of Samuel and Nakra McCarley.