Burgess Announces Service Academy Nominees

“I know each of these students will perform admirably, and serve honorably as officers in our country’s military services.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26) announced the thirty-three individuals from the 26th District of Texas who have been selected as Class of 2015 nominees to our nation’s service academies. These outstanding young men and women were nominated to attend 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 was very impressed by the high caliber of candidates that applied to my office,” said Dr. Burgess. “The selection process was very competitive, and each of these students has a strong record of academic performance and leadership in school activities, sports, JROTC, and community and volunteer service.  I proudly nominated them for admission to our nation’s service academies.  If selected to attend their respective academies, I know each of these students will perform admirably, and serve honorably as officers in our country’s military services.”

Nominees were selected after a rigorous application process culminating in a personal interview with Dr. Burgess’ Academy Advisory Board. A congressional nomination does not guarantee admission to one of the service academies as the academies’ respective admissions boards ultimately decide who is offered appointment, and ultimately admitted. If appointed, the nominees will enter this summer.

The following candidates were nominated to the service academies. Several individuals have been nominated to multiple academies; if they receive appointment offers from more than one academy, the student will have to choose one to attend. Nominees that have already received appointments are noted.  More appointments are expected in the coming weeks.

Francis Abbey of Lewisville attends Lewisville High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Military Academy.

Matthew Bauman of Hurst attends L.D. Bell High School in Hurst and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Brandon Bear of Flower Mound attends Flower Mound High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Braeden Blazek of Hurst attends Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Military Academy.

Patrick Casey of Flower Mound attends Texas A&M University and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Casey Clayton of Corinth attends Guyer High School in Denton and has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Michael Connolly of Keller attends Keller High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

David Cook of Keller attends Keller High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Nolan Devine of Argyle attends Argyle High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

David Durand of Flower Mound attends Marcus High School in Flower Mound and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Ben Dye of Flower Mound attends Carroll Senior High School in Southlake and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Micah Easterling of Denton attends Ponder High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.

Nicholas Gannon of Westlake attends St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. 

Garrett Getschow of Flower Mound previously attended and has been nominated to return to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Meagan Gor of Keller attends Keller High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Mallory Herron of Flower Mound attends the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. 

David Hildinger of Double Oak attends the University of North Texas and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. 

Colin Hinchey of Corinth attends Guyer High School in Denton and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Levi Hoggard of Denton attends Ryan High School in Denton and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Military Academy.

Matthew Jernigan of Flower Mound attends the New Mexico Military Institute and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Diwaker Joshi of Flower Mound attends TAMS at the University of North Texas and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Naval Academy.

Violeta Lopez of Richland Hills attends Texas A&M University and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. 

Zach Lord of Keller attends Keller High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Military Academy.

Jennifer Marcum of North Richland Hills attends Texas A&M University and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. 

Jesse McCrady of Lewisville attends Lewisville High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Michael Measom of Hurst attends L.D. Bell High School in Hurst and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Zachary Moore of Lewisville attends Marcus High School in Flower Mound and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Madison Oliver of Flower Mound attends Liberty Christian School in Argyle and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.  **Received appointment to U.S. Military Academy. 

Simon Park of Flower Mound attends Flower Mound High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. 

Justin Tjahjono of Corinth attends iSchool High in Lewisville and has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

Nicolas Towers of Keller attends the University of North Texas and has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Patrick Vickery of Argyle attends Argyle High School and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.   

Jordan Webster of Denton attends the University of Texas at Arlington and has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.   **Received appointment to U.S. Naval Academy.

Additional information regarding the academy nomination and application process may be obtained on Burgess’ website at http://burgess.house.gov or by contacting Robin Vaughan, District Administrator, in the Lewisville district office at 972-434-9700.