Collins announces service academy nominees; 4 are from Gainesville

WASHINGTON - Congressman Doug Collins (GA-09) has nominated fifteen northeast Georgia high school students for admission to the U.S. Service Academies.<br /> <br /> "Nominating these great young Georgians for the opportunity to further their educations in the greatest military service academies in the world is a great honor," Congressman Collins said. "I know each of these students has an incredibly bright future ahead, and it's my hope that service to our country is only the beginning."<br /> <br /> The 9th District students Congressman Collins nominated are:<br /> <br /> Alec Aguilar, Commerce, U.S. Air Force Academy<br /> Dallas Yeargin, Elberton, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy<br /> William Filson, Buford, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Army Academy<br /> Justin Olive, Cumming, U.S. Military Academy<br /> Ian McGaughey, Jefferson, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy<br /> Sawyer Madsen, Gainesville, U.S. Military Academy<br /> Santiago Bartolome, Dahlonega, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy<br /> Joshua Hammond, Gainesville, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy<br /> Mark McDonoguh, Dillard, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy<br /> Alexei Joya, Gainesville, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy<br /> Abigail Vickery, Toccoa, U.S. Military Academy<br /> William Clark, Jefferson, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy<br /> Andrew Smith, Gainesville, U.S. Air Force Academy<br /> Cassandra Haller, Cumming, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy<br /> Anthony Vandiver, Helen, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy<br /> <br /> The nominees were selected through consultation with a board of veterans and academy alumni in Georgia's 9th District, led by Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Jarrard of Gainesville and Michael Brady of Clayton. Congressional nomination is the first step to admission in the service academies, which ultimately includes character, scholarship, leadership, physical, and medical assessments by the academies. Upon graduation, each cadet will be commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant or an Ensign in their respective branch of service.

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