WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced the nomination of nine students from the Eighth District to America’s uniformed service academies.  Those students nominated will now enter the appointment consideration phase of the selection process before being notified of the admissions decision in July 2008 for the coming fall class.

“It is a great privilege to nominate such outstanding young men and women to our nation’s service academies.  They represent the best and brightest of our congressional district.  They are eager to serve our country, and I wish each of them the best of luck in the months and years ahead,” Emerson said.

Emerson and the Academy Advisory Board, chaired by Mr. Michael Greene of Van Buren, selected six principal and three alternate nominees to the four service academies this year.

U.S. Military Academy – West Point, New York
Principal: Julia T. Schemel (Perryville)
Principal: Kristopher R. Cottner (Perryville)
Alternate: Neil D. Kanneberg (Cape Girardeau)

U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland
Principal: Mark Jackson (Piedmont)
Alternate: Peyton Waggener (Cape Girardeau)

U.S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Principal: Samuel K. Riehn (Jackson)
Alternate: Jeremy Samo (Jackson)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – King’s Point, New York
Principal: Joseph Guidos (Cape Girardeau)
 
Principal: Michael Pogue (Bismarck)

Nominations to the U.S. service academies are based upon academic criteria and an evaluation of overall qualifications by the Eighth District Academy Advisory Board.  The Board is comprised of individuals from throughout Southern Missouri with expertise in business, education and military issues.

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