Denton, TX — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade  today announced the Class of 2020 Service Academy Appointees from the 26th Congressional District and recognized these distinguished future military leaders. The appointees will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY and the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO.

“I am grateful that so many young North Texans have accepted this challenge to serve their country,” said Burgess. “It is an honor to be able to support these young men and women as they set out on this challenging endeavor with their admirable intent to serve our country as future officers in our nation’s armed forces. I wish them all the best of luck and know that they will make Texas’ 26th Congressional District proud.” 

Students requesting appointments to the U.S. Service Academies are rigorously evaluated on a variety of criteria including academic performance, leadership qualifications and physical preparedness. Appointments to an academy must be preceded by a nomination from a Member of Congress, Academy Superintendent, the Vice President or a military connected nomination. The exception is to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where a nomination is not required for consideration, but appointments are based upon a competitive nationwide admissions process.

In 26th Congressional District of Texas, applicants also undergo a board review lead by former Air Force Academy Superintendent and Lieutenant General (USAF Ret.) Charles Hamm.  Other board members include active duty Armed Forces, former service academy graduates, community leaders, and administrators from local higher education institutions. 

Those students from the 26th Congressional District entering the service academies are as follows:

U.S. Military Academy (Army) - West Point, NY
Alex Albright (Copper Canyon)
Christopher Dao (Westlake)
Honor Fusselman (Trophy Club) 
Andrea Karlen (Roanoke)

U.S. Naval Academy - Annapolis, MD
Nick Haslam (Roanoke) 
David Shin (The Colony)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point, NY
Zach Arcos-Honeycutt (Prosper)
Quinn Bauer (Lewisville)
Grant Carter (Sanger)
Connor Green (Flower Mound) 
Samuel Kittlitz (Lewisville)
Gemma Nguyen (Frisco)

U.S. Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs, CO
Danesh Bam (Flower Mound)  
Ben Blessing (Frisco)  
Nick Blessing (Frisco)
Chandler Claterbaugh (Flower Mound)
Cody Jones (Flower Mound)
Geraud Sanders (Frisco)
Kayla Wofford (Lewisville)

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