Davids Announces 15 Local Students to Receive U.S. Service Academy Appointments

Statement

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that 15 students from the Kansas Third District have successfully received their appointment to a U.S. Service Academy or a preparatory program. In a sendoff event in Overland Park this afternoon, Davids presented each student with a certificate acknowledging their incredible achievement, and Julia Breidenthal, a current student at the United States Coast Guard Academy, shared her advice as these students take the next step in their service.

"As Representative for Kansas' Third District, one of my most important responsibilities is to nominate our future leaders to serve at one of our nation's prestigious military service academies," said Davids. "As the daughter of an Army veteran, I have seen what it takes to serve our country. The individuals we are celebrating today have my full support, and I am excited to hear more about their accomplishments in the coming years."

Rep. Davids with Lieutenant Colonel Mike Souder, Julia Breidenthal, and students who received appointments.

Rep. Davids with Lieutenant Colonel Mike Souder, Julia Breidenthal, and students who received appointments.

"Choosing to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy was one of the best decisions I have ever made because of the opportunities, amazing people, and leadership development," said Breidenthal. "It has been rigorous, but the experience has been incredibly rewarding. My advice to the students who received appointments would be to have trust in yourself and your abilities, embrace failure, and have confidence that you can do hard things."

"I am always so impressed with the young people we interview for nominations to the service academies," said Lieutenant Colonel Mike Souder, US Army, Retired. "Today it was a pleasure to those that have won appointments and to meet their parents. We are very proud of them and sure they will succeed."

In November, Davids nominated 28 students for an appointment based on the recommendations of her Academy Panelist Board. The panelists conducted personal interviews with each applicant, in addition to reviewing written applications, letters of recommendation, and G.P.A. This year's nonpartisan board included:

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Souder, US Army, Retired
Lieutenant Commander Anjail Belton, US Navy, Retired
Colonel Arthur Cleveland Hester, US Army, Retired
Kansas State Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin

After receiving a nomination from Rep. Davids, these 15 applicants successfully met the individual admission requirements for their respective academy which made the final decision on an appointment of admission.

Rep. Davids with students who received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Rep. Davids with students who received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Photos of the 15 students from the Kansas Third District who received appointments can be found HERE. They include:

United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO

James "Brody" Casson -- Overland Park, Olathe South High School
Maeve Linscott -- Mission Hills, Shawnee Mission East
Melissa Carr Kline -- Mission Hills, Shawnee Mission East
Sam Nissen -- Leawood, Rockhurst High School
John Peterson -- Overland Park, Homeschool
Rocco Deppe -- Overland Park, Rockhurst High School
Ashton Higgerson -- Prairie Village, St. Thomas Aquinas High School

United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation Prep

Noah Higbie -- Lenexa, Rockhurst High School

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD

Jack F Anderson -- Overland Park, Blue Valley West High School
Kaelin E Hill -- Olathe, Blue Valley West High School
Michael Chong -- Leawood, Blue Valley North High School

United States Military Academy at West Point, NY

Alexander Helmer -- Overland Park, Lutheran High School of Kansas City and Johnson County Community College
Alexander Siomades -- Leawood, Blue Valley North High School
Colt Thomas -- Prairie Village, Shawnee Mission East

United States Merchant Marines Academy at Kings Point, NY

Charles Cahalan -- Overland Park, Bishop Miege High School

Source