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Today Congressman David Scott (GA-13) announced the nomination of seventeen area students to each of the nation’s four Military Academies and honored these outstanding young people and their families during a special reception in his Jonesboro District Office located at 173 North Main Street. “I am very proud of these young men and women. Appointment to a military academy demands exceptional academic achievement, character and leadership. Without question, each of these students possesses these qualities,” said Congressman Scott. “These students are outstanding young Americans who proudly reflect the 13th Congressional District’s commitment to education and service. I am confident that they will go on to honorably serve our nation as military academy graduates and leaders in the Armed Forces.” Congressman Scott announced the following primary nominations: United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO: Christopher Allen, Riverdale resident, Riverdale High School Rudy Bowen, Riverdale resident, Air Force Preparatory School Gyscar Inocencia-Holloway, Ellenwood resident, Air Force Preparatory School Jacob Schiefer, Conyers resident, Rockdale High School United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY: Nicole Soto, Jonesboro resident, Jonesboro High School United States Military Academy at West Point, NY: David Hankerson, IV, Jonesboro resident, Mt. Zion High School Jason Lee, Conyers resident, Salem High School David-Shea Melloy, Rex resident, Mt Zion Christian Academy Michael O’Shields, Jonesboro resident, Mt Zion Christian Academy Kathleen Pulliam, Conyers resident, Salem High School Patrick Saxby, Jonesboro resident, Jonesboro High School Phillip Sevenson, Palmetto resident, Creekside High School Vincent Wiggins, Fayetteville resident, Florida A&M University United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD: Joseph DeJunco, Fairburn resident, Woodward Academy Johnathan Dunn, Hampton resident, Home school student Jeffrey Gamez, Hampton resident, Lovejoy High School Elizabeth Penn-Sanders, Jackson resident, Jackson High School In November, Congressman Scott directed a nonpartisan Military Academy Board made up of five educators, military personnel, and academy graduates who reside in the district to interview an extremely qualified group of 13th District applicants. Students entering the academies this fall will graduate in 2009. To be considered for an academy appointment, an applicant must first be nominated. U.S. Senators and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives may nominate applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements: 17 years of age, but not have passed his or her 23rd birthday, he or she must be a U.S. citizen, and the applicant must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents. Students interested in applying for the Class of 2010 may download the 2006 Service Academy Nomination Application Packet here and should contact Congressman Scott's Military Academy Coordinator David Johnson at 770-210-5073 if they have additional questions.

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From the Clayton News Daily and Henry Daily Herald Monday April 4, 2005 Congressman Nominates Students for Military Academies By Aisha I. Jefferson A single tear settled in the corner of Susan Soto's left eye as she listened to her daughter, Nicole, discuss receiving a Congressional nomination to attend one of the country's military academies. "I'm very proud of her," Susan Soto said, standing next to her daughter and her husband, Edwin. Nicole Soto, a Jonesboro High School senior, is one of 17 young Americans in whom U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Jonesboro, nominated to four of the nation's military academies. The nominees, 11 of whom reside in Henry and Clayton counties, were honored during a reception held in his Jonesboro District 13 office. The 17 residents received nominations to attend either the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., or the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Eleven of the nominees reside in Henry and Clayton counties. "Ever since 10th-grade year in the Junior ROTC, I always wanted to go to a military academy," said Nicole Soto, who is a junior squadron commander - the highest ranking officer - in Jonesboro High's Junior ROTC program. Nicole Soto, who is ranked third in her senior class, will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. this fall. Although the nomination is not a guaranteed in into the academy - students have to apply separately - it is a critical point of the acceptance process, Scott explained. "Without a nomination, you can't get in," Scott said. This year marks Scott's third time holding nominations. He previously nominated 10 people - eight to military academies and two to military preparatory schools. Paid tuition for four years of school and top-notch training, along with other benefits, are among the many gains the nominees will receive if they are accepted into the military academies. "It is a very, very highly valued education," Scott said, explaining if there was a dollar amount put on the whole package, economists, educators and military officials had valued it around $300,000. The 17 nominees honored Saturday were among about 50 who initially inquired about receiving the Congressional nomination. The 13th District 2005 Military Academy Selection Board, which is comprised of seven ranking military officers, is the advisory group that helps winnow down the nominee selection. "It's an ongoing process. In this process, I've already began the process of the next school year," said David Johnson, Scott's senior staff assistant and military and veterans liaison. Riverdale resident Theresa Bowen's 19-year-old son, Rudolph, will graduate from the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado next month after receiving a nomination from Scott last year to attend. "And he's doing quite well there. He's on the prep school basketball team, and he's a flight commander," Bowen said. Scott also nominated Rudolph Bowen to attend the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., in the fall. "It is truly a blessing for me to have this opportunity to make these appointments for these outstanding, well-qualified and dedicated young people," Scott said. "They are excellent role models for our youth." Scott said every Congressman and senator has the opportunity to make such nominations.