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Congressman Gary Palmer announced that 25 students from Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District have received nominations to attend the U.S. Service Academies.

The nominees, including 10 from schools in Shelby County, were recognized at a reception held for them and their families at Vestavia Hills City Hall on Feb. 3.

“Nominating students to the U.S. Service Academies is one of the most serious responsibilities of my job,” Palmer said in a statement. “These young men and women may one day lead our sons and daughters into combat, so I want to make sure that we are sending our best and most qualified to our military academies. It’s always an encouragement to meet so many exceptional, hardworking young people who desire to serve our country. I’m confident that this year’s nominees will represent Alabama proudly and serve America with honor.”

The Service Academy application process requires a nomination from the student’s U.S. House representative, U.S. senator, the vice president, or the president. The U.S. Service Academies include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Once the nomination is confirmed, the academy will review the whole candidate to determine admission. Students who are accepted become scholar soldiers at some of the most prestigious institutions in America.

Each December, Palmer works with his Academy Advisory Board to interview and nominate outstanding students from the Sixth Congressional District for an appointment to one of these service academies. Service Academy recruiters have consistently praised the achievements and preparedness of recruits from Alabama’s Sixth District. Students who are accepted as cadets and midshipmen will be receiving the highest levels of education, athletic conditioning, leadership building, and training to defend the Constitution and America’s freedoms alongside an extensive network of academy alumni.

The students nominated by Congressman Palmer this year are as follows:

• Madison Adamson of Hoover High School is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Gilbert Amason of Episcopal High School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy
• Liberty Andrzejewski of Hewitt Trussville High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• Joseph Baxter of Alabama School of Fine Arts is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy
• Evie Bell of Oak Mountain High School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy
• Connor Bowen of Mountain Brook High School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy
• Jay Chang of Marion Military Institute is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Austin de la Torre of Woodberry Forest School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy
• Reid Freeman of Mountain Brook High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• Elliot Gage of Chelsea High School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Samuel Graham of Evangel Christian School is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Noah Harper of Shelby County High School is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Rebecca House of Indian Springs School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy
• John Ingram of Vestavia Hills School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Shane Mackey of Vestavia Hills High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• Cole McKee of Jefferson County Baccalaureate School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Cal Reebals of Briarwood Christian School is nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Maximillian Renfro of Marion Military Institute is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• John Richardson of the Westminster School at Oak Mountain is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Alex Sabri of Vestavia Hills High School is nominated for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Landon Sample of Thompson High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• Will Sawyer of Oak Mountain High School is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Hunter Smyth of Vestavia Hills High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy
• Jackson Stewart of Bessemer Academy is nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Matthew Walton of Pelham High School is nominated for the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

“I congratulate these students for this major accomplishment in the Service Academy application process,” Palmer said. “I look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of them.”