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Huizenga Nominates 17 West Michigan Students To U.S. Service Academies

Washington, January 13, 2015

Today, Congressman Huizenga announced the 2nd District nominees to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2015-2016 academic year.  This year, 17 students from across West Michigan received nominations from Congressman Huizenga for placement at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

“It is an honor to nominate such driven and determined leaders from West Michigan to the U.S. Service Academies,” said Huizenga.  “Choosing to attend our nation’s service academies is one of the most admirable decisions a young person can make. West Michigan has a tradition of sending distinguished nominees to the academies and I have confidence that these students will carry on that tradition and represent West Michigan and our nation with distinction.”

The nominations are based upon an academy advisory board interview that evaluates criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular achievement, and leadership abilities. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. Further information on requirements for nomination and the application process is available on Congressman Huizenga’s website at /.

Congressman Huizenga has nominated the following students for the Class of 2019.

United States Air Force Academy

  • Micah Gerakinis - Allendale High School

  • Jason Pluger - Hudsonville High School

United States Naval Academy

  • Maxwell Purvis - Western Michigan Christian High School

  • Micah Gerakinis - Allendale High School

  • David Flessner - Jenison High School

  • Tate Schumacher - East Kentwood High School

  • Mbabazi "Diane" Muhizi - East Kentwood High School

  • Kathryn McKee - Grand Haven High School

  • Jackson Bennett - Forest Hills Northern High School

  • Peter Woudenberg  - Holland High School

  • Brad Chorny - Fruitport High School

  • John Lamb - Hong Kong International School

United States Military Academy at West Point

  • Todd Cornett - Grandville High School

  • Tyler Pachesny - Hudsonville High School

  • Peter Woudenberg - Holland High School

  • Christian Ochoa - Wyoming High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy

  • Ryan McIntire - Muskegon Catholic Central High School

  • Mitchell Harvey - Grant High School

  • Zachary Winzer - Muskegon Catholic Central High School

  • John Lamb - Hong Kong International School
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