WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu announced that eleven students from his congressional district have received appointments to military academies as members of the class of 2013.  Each of these students was awarded a nomination from Congressman Wu and succeeded in completing the relevant academy’s rigorous application process.

“These exceptional students are some of the finest that Oregon has to offer,” said Wu.  “I am proud of their hard work and excited to have the opportunity to support them as they join our nation’s military academies.  Our country will rely on talented people like these students as we confront the challenges of today and tomorrow.”


Richard Austring, son of Bryan and Carin Austring, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to both the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy.  Richard takes courses at Portland Community College and runs for the varsity cross country team.  Outside of school, he is an Eagle Scout who donates service hours to organizing events like the 30 Hour Famine fundraiser.  Richard's long-term goal is to become a man of character by serving God, his country, and his family in the military or Navy.  He has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Tory Brown, son of Steve and Kelly Brown, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to both the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.  Tory, a senior at Tigard High School, belongs to the National Honor Society and the Multnomah Athletic Club men's gymnastics team.  He spends twenty hours a week practicing gymnastics; his goals include making the men's U.S. National Team and competing in the world championships.  He believes attending an academy can help him reach his goals because of the tough and inspiring atmosphere.  Tory was offered an appointment to both the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Dylan Hallums, son of Greg and Bertha Brown, has been awarded a nomination from Congressman David Wu to the United States Air Force Academy.  Dylan, a senior at Tigard High School, is the captain of his varsity cross country team and a member of the varsity track team.  Dylan serves in the Civil Air Patrol, attended the USAFA summer seminar, and is part of the National Honor Society.  He wishes to contribute to the success of our country by serving in the armed forces after graduating from an academy.  Dylan has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Paul Lawrence Hathaway IV, son of Paul and Julie Hathaway, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to both the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy.  Paul, a student at Hillsboro High School, is ranked first in his class of over 350 students.  He has been on the honor roll since freshman year and is a 2008 Hillsboro High School May Fete Court Member.  By the time he graduates, he will have earned a total of four varsity letters in football and wrestling.  Outside of school, Paul spends his time in the Sunrise Church Youth Group, Key Club, and as a student leader in the Hillsboro Young Life.  He has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Joshua Hill, grandson of Leonard and Hilde Kaufman, has been awarded a nomination from Congressman David Wu to the United States Air Force Academy.  Joshua, a senior at Westview High School, is the captain of his varsity football team, is the 2nd Team Offensive MVP, and has made the 1st Team All-Metro team as quarterback.  He also competed on the varsity basketball team for two years and is a MAC Foundation Scholar Athlete.  Outside of school, Joshua has volunteered much of his time for TEEN Project, HomePlate Meals With Youth, Hands On Greater Portland, and as a youth sports mentor. He has been offered and accepted an appointment with the U.S. Air Force, where he will join the class of 2013.

Rebekah McKenna, daughter of Elizabeth Spizman and Lawrence McKenna, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to both the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Naval Academy.  Rebekah, a senior at Lincoln High School, competes in cross country, volleyball, and lacrosse.  She also plays the French horn in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is a medaled leader in the Lincoln debate team.  She has given over 150 hours of service to Blue Valley Reading Program, St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center, and OMSI. Rebekah worked seasonally for four years at the Mystic Acres Kennels.  She has been offered an appointment to the class of 2013 at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Erik Myers, son of Tina and David Myers, has been awarded a nomination from Congressman David Wu for the United States Naval Academy.  Erik, a senior at Westview High School, is a captain for both the varsity cross country and varsity track teams.  He has participated in Model United Nations and Mock Trial, is a National Honor Society member, an Eagle Scout, and a participant in the 2008 United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar.  He has also be a volunteer at the 2008 Olympic Trials.  Erik has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Thomas Milligan, son of Fiona and Thomas Joseph Milligan, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to both the United States Military Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy.  Thomas, a senior at Aloha High School, is on the varsity football team.  He was an elected class advisory representative for two years and belongs to the National Honor Society and Civil Air Patrol.  He has taught snowboarding on Mt. Hood and referees youth football games.  Thomas has been offered appointments to both the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy.  He has been offered and accepted the appointment to attend the U.S. Military Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

David Nygren, son of Ken and Karen Nygren, has been awarded a nomination from Congressman David Wu to the United States Naval Academy.  David is ranked first in his class at Dayton High School, where is has also lettered four years in a row in both varsity cross country and track.  Outside of school, David spends his time volunteering for the Salvation Army.  He has also traveled to Mexico to volunteer.  David has participated in the Future Business Leaders of America, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is the senior warden of the youth vestry at his church.  David also takes courses at Chemeketa Community College.  He has been offered an appointment to join the class of 2013 at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Spencer Rhoton, a senior at Burkburnett High School in Texas, has been awarded a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy from Congressman David Wu.  Spencer, son of Darren and Jeanine Rhoton, is a National Honor Society Member who completed his science fair project on hovercrafts at top levels.  Spencer is also a member of his school's varsity cross country and track teams.  He has been a student government representative and is currently a patrol leader and quartermaster in the Boy Scouts.  Spencer has been offered and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he will join the class of 2013.

Kevan Stoeckler, son of Henning and Robin Stoeckler, has been awarded nominations from Congressman David Wu to the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Naval Academy.  Kevan, who graduated from Sunset High School in 2008, was in the Sunset marching band and had been recognized multiple times for playing the jazz trumpet.  Kevan is also a Sea Scout and an Eagle Scout, where he received the Brotherhood Honor Order of the Arrow.  He wishes to join the Coast Guard with his brother after graduating from an academy.  Kevan has been offered an appointment to join the class of 2013 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.