Ryan nominates five from county to service academies

Rep. Paul Ryan congratulates Briana O'Hearn of Racine

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-1st District, has nominated five Racine County students to attend U.S. service academies.

He nominated:

• Briana O’Hearn, a senior at Horlick High School, for appointments to the U.S. Military Academy (at West Point) and U.S. Air Force Academy;
• Eugene Ehlen of Burlington High School for a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy appointment;
• Micah Warntjes, a Burlington High School alum, received a nomination for Military Academy appointment. Warntjes is a U.S. Army veteran and Cadet Candidate at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, NJ;
• Tyler Bloodworth, a Union Grove High School graduate now attending Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA, for an Air Force Academy appointment;
• Amanda Herman, of Waterford Union High School, also received a nomination for an Air Force Academy appointment.

“It’s a privilege to nominate these students for academy appointments,” Ryan said. “With their solid records of achievement and their commitment to doing the rigorous work required at the academies, I know that they will do well if they are accepted and will serve our nation with honor.”

Acceptance to the academies is highly competitive, and receiving a nomination does not guarantee acceptance.

Early in December, the Service Academy Nomination Advisory (SANA) Board interviewed and evaluated applicants from the First Congressional District for nomination to the U.S. Service Academies. Comprised of veterans, past Academy graduates, local public officials and educators, the SANA Board was appointed by Ryan to assist him.

“Each year, many highly qualified students apply for nominations, which makes the selection process quite a challenge,” Ryan said. “All of them deserve our gratitude for their desire to serve and protect our country.”