Denham releases his nominees for service academies

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representative Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, today announced the 2012 service academy nominees from California's 19th Congressional District. Nineteen high school seniors were nominated to the country's leading service academies, including the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

"These young students represent our state's best, and I'm proud to nominate them to our nation's military academies," Denham stated in a new release. "It's truly inspiring that so many young and talented Californians desire to serve our nation by joining the armed forces. This dedicated group will surely lead our country to a brighter future."

To be considered for admission to four of the five armed service academies, all potential students must be nominated by a U.S. representative, U.S. senator or the vice president.

Last year, Denham's Military Academy Selection Committee chose 23 nominees after a rigorous application and interview process that weighed academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation.

Acceptance will be determined by each academy next spring.

Below are nominees from the greater Modesto region:

• Bryce T. Brenda, Turlock — U.S. Military Academy

• Timothy J. Cecil, Mariposa — U.S. Naval Academy

• Benjamin G. Gilman, Modesto — U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy

• Adam Groesbeck, Turlock — U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy

• Zachary S. Hamman, Modesto — U.S. Naval Academy

• Kahleb Kelsey, Mariposa — U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy

• Ruger G. Pearson, Sonora — U.S. Military Academy

• Lucas Phillips, Salida — U.S. Air Force Academy

• Mickenzie Walbridge, Riverbank — U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy

• Nicholas F. Waterman, Mariposa — U.S. Military Academy