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Sen.
Salazar Nominates Denver Metro Students for U.S. Service Academies
DENVER,
CO – Today, United States Senator Ken Salazar announced that
he nominated 40 outstanding Coloradans from all across the state to
our Nation’s service academies. All of the nominees show outstanding
qualifications. The candidates come from very diverse backgrounds and
their academic and extracurricular accomplishments are impressive.
“Each year, the
applicants for the service academies get better and better,” said Senator
Salazar. These applicants are future leaders of our country, and I am
encouraged by their drive to succeed and their eagerness to serve our
Nation. Choosing to serve our Nation is one of the most admirable aspirations
a young person can have and I respect each of the students for making
that choice.”
To honor the 2008 Service
Academy nominees, Senator Salazar will be hosting two receptions on
Saturday, January 12 at 11:00 AM in Denver (PPA Event Center,
2105 Decatur Street, Denver, CO) and 2:00 PM in Colorado Springs (Tutt
House, 1205 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO). Press
is welcome to attend.
From the Denver metro area,
Senator Salazar is nominating the following students:
ARVADA
- William Miller
(United States Merchant Marine Academy): William is a Ralston
Valley High School senior and National Honor Society member. William
has a “passion to serve” and strives to become a naval aviator. With
many achievements both inside and outside of the classroom, William
is conscientious, enthusiastic and determined. As a natural leader,
William has demonstrated a variety of qualities which make him an
exceptional young man.
- Nathan Safford
(United States Military Academy): Nathan is an Arvada West
Senior High School student and National Honor Society member. Nathan
has demonstrated outstanding integrity and motivation throughout his
school and extracurricular activities. With strong drive to succeed,
Nathan “looks forward to challenges and takes pride in overcoming
them.” Captain of his soccer team and multiple D.E.C.A. award recipient,
Nathan shows exceptional promise and leadership ability.
- Sarah Smith (United
States Military Academy): Sarah is a Faith Christian High
School senior and Class Vice President. Sarah has a strong interest
in engineering and seeks the Military Academy in order to become an
encouraging and intelligent leader. Sarah is a mature individual,
demonstrating a high level of integrity, personal initiative and perseverance.
In addition, Sarah has demonstrated a positive attitude and tenacity
as a leader in Student Council, athletics and academics.
AURORA
- Brittany Gerard
(United States Air Force Academy): Brittney
is a Cherokee Trail High School senior and Mu Alpha Theta National
Mathematics Honor Society member. Brittany hopes to pursue a career
in medicine in the Air Force. As a determined and focused student,
Brittany “loves to learn” and takes every opportunity available to
challenge herself. Brittany’s desire to learn, motivation, ability
to communicate and willingness to work make her an outstanding young
lady.
- Casey Horgan
(United States Naval Academy): Casey is a Grandview High
School senior and Varsity Lacrosse player. Casey has always wanted
to become a military officer and has a strong interest in aeronautical
engineering. Proven herself “highly motivated, intelligent and successful”,
Casey has demonstrated that she is serious about learning. As a positive
influence on her peers, Casey has a strong work ethic and drive to
succeed that will serve her well in the future.
- Sean McCasland
(United States Naval Academy): Sean
is a Gateway High School senior and Band Council member. Focused and
positive, Sean seeks to excel in anything he participates in and has
a sense of “understanding and insight that are beyond his peers”.
Sean is a respectful, motivated and driven leader with a bright future
ahead.
- Nolan Myers (United
States Military Academy): Nolan
is a Smoky Hill High School senior and Varsity Wrestling Captain.
Nolan has the instinct of selfless service which has led to organizational
teamwork, encompassed discipline and demonstrated self-control. Nolan
is a strong leader and has excelled at a variety of extracurricular,
academic and athletic endeavors. Strengthening his leadership abilities
as an Eagle Scout, Nolan is an outstanding young man with a strong
sense of integrity.
- Taylor Roberts
(United States Naval Academy): Taylor is a Bishop Machebeuf
High School senior and Student Government Treasurer. Taylor’s desire
to attend the Air Force has been cemented through his family tradition
of service. As a varsity baseball and soccer player, National Honor
Society Vice President and Men of Machebeuf Secretary, Taylor has
demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication. Taylor strives
for excellence in all he does and undoubtedly has a bright future
ahead.
- Reuben Smith
(United States Air Force Academy):
Reuben is a Gateway High School senior and Varsity Soccer Captain.
In attending three Summer Leadership Seminars at the Air Force, Naval
and Military Academies Reuben solidified his desire to study aeronautical
engineering in the military. With a quiet and determined demeanor,
Reuben’s intelligence in the classroom and involvement in extracurricular
activities have proven him to be a terrific student. Leading by example,
Reuben inspires excellence amongst his peers and is truly an outstanding
young man.
BENNETT
- Andrew Barela
(United States Merchant Marine Academy): Andrew is a New
Mexico Military Institute student and from an early age Andrew has
dreamed of attending a military academy. At the New Mexico Military
Institute, Andrew has become a kind, outgoing and intellectually curious
cadet. Developing himself into a strong and respectful leader, Andrew
has proven himself an “impressive young man with extremely high integrity.”
BOULDER
- Brian Tsien (United
States Military Academy): Brian is a Boulder High School
senior and National Honor Society member and as a hard-working student
and athlete, Brian has demonstrated his passion for excellence. Brian’s
“admiration for the armed forces is unwavering” and considers an opportunity
to serve in the military a “great honor”. This dedication, coupled
with his strong leadership skills and sharp intellect make Brian a
tremendous young man with a bright future ahead.
BROOMFIELD
- Theodore MacDonald
(United States Military Academy): Theodore is a Broomfield
High School senior and Varsity Football player. He has a strong desire
to serve his country and attend a service academy in order to “become
the best possible officer in the United States Army”. Theodore has
demonstrated outstanding leadership, leading by example both in and
outside of the classroom. Theodore’s sincerity and diligence make
him an outstanding young man.
CASTLE
ROCK
- John Humpert
(United States Naval Academy): John is a Hammond High School
senior and Boy Scout. John desires to become a part of the Marine
Corps and continue a family tradition of military service. With a
combination of creativity, dedication and maturity, John participates
in a variety of activities in his school and community. John is a
dedicated, intelligent and hard-working leader with a strong drive
to succeed in the future.
CENTENNIAL
- Thomas Ainscough
(United States Air Force Academy): Thomas is a Cherry Creek
High School graduate. Seeking re-appointment to the academy, Thomas
has proven his commitment to his beliefs through a two year mission
trip to Taiwan. From a young age, Thomas has always “put an emphasis
on progression in all areas” of his commitments. Thomas is a determined,
mature and dedicated leader with a proven record of success and development.
- Uyen-ly Nguyen
(United States Air Force Academy): Uyen-ly is an Arapahoe
High School senior and Amnesty International Secretary. With a sincerity
not seen in many, Lily has a fascination with the history of armed
services. Lily is a “charismatic, gregarious and driven individual”
with tremendous leadership ability. Dedicated, intelligent and positive,
Lily stands out as an exceptional student in both the classroom and
her many extracurricular activities.
- Tyrae Rivers
(United States Air Force Academy): Tyrae is a Smoky Hill
High School senior and Varsity Track and Field athlete. From an early
age Tyrae has possessed a strong interest in becoming a pilot. Courteous,
driven and intelligent, Tyrae is an asset both inside and outside
of the classroom. Tyrae’s natural abilities as a leader and positive
attitude distinguish him as a tremendous member of his high school
and community.
DENVER
- Aaron Brunhofer
(United States Merchant Marine Academy): Aaron is a Rock
Canyon High School senior and Orchestra President. With a family history
of military service, Aaron has been “drawn to serve our nation”. Through
a variety of activities, Aaron has developed into a dedicated, responsible
and honest leader. A young man who combines scholarship, musical excellence
and athletic leadership, Aaron has emerged as one of the very top
students in his class and desires to continue developing that excellence
through a military education.
ELIZABETH
- Mark Palmer (United
States Air Force Academy): Mark is a Cherokee Trail High
School senior and Varsity Golf Captain. Mark has always dreamt of
becoming an officer in the United States military. Mark’s enthusiasm,
consistency and positive attitude has made him a valuable leader in
both the classroom and his activities. With a strong work ethic and
knowledge about the world, Mark eagerly seeks to continue his success
at the Air Force Academy.
ENGLEWOOD
- Eric Gallagher
(United States Military Academy): Eric
is a Cherry Creek High School Senior and Band Percussionist. Eric
is a personable and highly intelligent young man with tremendous insight
and a excellent sense of humor. As a driven leader, Eric possesses
the attributes which will make him a successful officer in the future.
HIGHLANDS
RANCH
- Morgan England
(United States Air Force Academy): Morgan is a Mountain Vista
High School senior and Special Olympics volunteer. Morgan desires
to attend the Air Force Academy because she “loves being part of a
team and working together to achieve a common goal.” As a confident
and conscientious leader, Morgan has been elected to her high school’s
Student Leadership program for four consecutive years. Optimistic,
ethical, generous and dedicated, Morgan is an extraordinary young
woman with a bright future ahead of her.
LAKEWOOD
- Preston Nicholl
(United States Merchant Marine Academy): Preston is a Bear
Creek High School senior and Eagle Scout. Focused on becoming an officer
for the United States Navy, Preston has a strong interest in the maritime
industry. Preston’s commitment, work ethic and motivation have made
him “the finest in American youth”. Working to achieve his goals,
Preston’s intelligence, ambition and independence make him a tremendous
young man.
LITTLETON
- Alexander Shapiro
(United States Military Academy):
Alexander is a New Mexico Military Institute student and his strong
sense of “honor, ambition and duty” drives him towards serving in
the United States military. Highly motivated, courteous and dedicated,
Alexander is an intelligent and enthusiastic student.
- Jonathan Strickland
(United States Naval Academy): Rock Canyon High School and
Varsity Tennis Captain Jonathan Strickland has been nominated by U.S.
Senator Ken Salazar to enter the United States Naval Academy. Jonathan
possesses “a unique and moral character, a strong and diverse foundation
in academics and proven abilities in athletics.” Challenging himself
in both academics and extracurricular activities, Jonathan demonstrates
a commitment to excellence, outstanding integrity and tremendous motivation.
MONUMENT
- Michael Reed
(United States Air Force Academy): Michael is a Lewis Palmer
High School senior and National Honor Society Board Member. With a
strong interest in engineering, Michael desires to become part of
the environment of excellence at the Air Force Academy. Michael’s
enthusiasm, intelligence, determination and hard work have made him
an outstanding leader at his high school. Involved in a variety of
academic and extracurricular activities, Michael’s work ethic and
positive attitude will serve him well in his future success.
PARKER
- John Lee (United
States Merchant Marine Academy):
John is a Chaparral High School senior and Varsity Soccer Captain.
As a student who strives to excel, John embraces challenge. Following
in his family’s footsteps, John wishes to study business and become
an honest and driven leader in the business community. Polite, determined,
intelligent, humble and helpful, John is a proven leader in both his
academics and extracurricular activities.
Senator Salazar received
over 200 applications from high school seniors from across Colorado
and chose candidates through a rigorous application and interview process.
To be considered for an appointment to one of the U.S. Service Academies
(U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and
the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) students must have a nomination from
a Member of Congress or other nominating authority.
Nominees are notified of
final appointments by the service academies between February and April.
If selected they will start at the academy in June.
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