“Montanans should take pride in knowing these young men and women are willing to work so hard to better themselves and serve our state and nation,” said Rehberg. “They truly represent some of our best and brightest and I feel good knowing that they are tomorrow’s leaders.”

            Rehberg appoints and works with a volunteer Academy Review Board consisting of military and civilian personnel to ensure that Montana students are afforded the maximum opportunity to receive one of the highly sought after nominations. Each candidate for nomination is interviewed by the Board and scored according to academic performance, as well as their leadership and community involvement.

            Students may receive multiple nominations based on their academy preferences, while others may have already received a letter of acceptance to an academy.  There are five U.S. Service Academies: Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT; Merchant Marines Academy, Kings Point, NY; Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; and U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY.

            Following is a list of those candidates who have received nominations:

Kathryn Barry, Billings -- Navy

Marty Bouma, Choteau -- Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point

Daniel Castro, Belgrade -- Air Force, West Point

James Cole, Bozeman -- West Point

Abel Dallas, Helena -- Air Force

Josh Drapes, Missoula -- Air Force

Auriele Fain, Billings -- Air Force, Merchant Marines, West Pint

Lauren Kuennen, Whitefish -- Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point

Erika Martin, Billings -- Air Force, Navy

Cort Rogers, Whitefish -- Air Force

Titus Shoulderbalde, Billings -- Air Force, Merchant Marines, Navy, West Point,

Kelsey Smith, Bigfork -- Air Force, Merchant Marines, Navy

Austin Troth, Bozeman -- Air Force

Patrick Tucker, Missoula -- Navy

Benjamin Wideman, Whitehall, -- Navy, West Point