Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Alabama, released the following statement announcing his 2020 service academy appointments. As a member of Congress, Byrne can nominate students from the 1st Congressional District for appointment to the United States Air Force, Naval, Military (West Point), and Merchant Marine Academies.
Byrne said: “I am pleased to congratulate these remarkable young men and women upon their appointments. Our nation’s continued prosperity is only possible through the willingness of so many brave Americans to serve, and the people of Southwest Alabama and our entire country can be proud of these appointments. I wish them every success at their respective academies and beyond.”
The following students received appointments to U.S. Service Academies after becoming eligible for consideration through an official nomination from the congressman earlier this year:
- Sam LoDuca, from T.R. Miller High School, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He is the son of Summer and Paul LoDuca.
- Jackson Dunn, from Spanish Fort High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is the son of Stella and Christopher Dunn.
- Clara Sabo, from Spanish Fort High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. She is the daughter of Sheila and Doug Wilson.
- Collin Laird, from Robertsdale High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is the son of Marsha and Russel Laird.
- Buddy Arensberg, from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is the son of Connie and Patrick Arensberg.
- Robbins Manning, from Excel High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is the son of Joannah and Reid Manning.
- Eden Blackmon, from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He is the son of Chryselda and Samuel Blackmon.
- Ollen Brown, from Bayshore Christian School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the son of Adriel and Jason Brown.
- Melanie Yell, from Mary G. Montgomery High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. She is the daughter of Elizabeth and Brian Yell.
- Jonathan Garden, from Bryant High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is the son of Carla and Justin Davis.
- Kaylee LaPorte, from O’Neill High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. Her parents are Scharla and Grover LaPorte.
- Ethan Rowe, from Daphne High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Preparatory School. He is the son of Christin and Jeremy Rowe.
- William Sayler, from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, received an official appointment to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School. He is the son of Elizabeth and Brian Sayler.
- Wesley Cooke, from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, received an official appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Preparatory School. He is the son of Kerri and Wes Cooke.
Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old, be a citizen of the United States, have good moral character, demonstrate strong leadership skills and achieve impressive scholastic achievements.
Byrne is only responsible for nominating students to the service academies. The final decision on appointments rests solely with the academy.
You can learn about the nomination process by clicking here.
