PEORIA – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) today announced that he nominated 17 remarkable young men and women from central Illinois to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. This is the first step to future evaluation and consideration for a potential appointment to one of our service academies. LaHood released the following statement congratulating the nominees:
“It is a privilege to nominate this group of outstanding students from Illinois to be considered to attend our great military service academies. We live in the greatest country on Earth because of young leaders like these who are willing to put service before self to support and defend our freedom. After learning about their accomplishments and speaking with each student, I know this group of leaders will represent Illinois with pride. While it is disappointing to lose parts of the 18th District in west-central Illinois, I am looking forward to engaging with the young men and women of northwestern Illinois who want to serve our country. I wish each of these nominees the best as they continue to move through this process.”
This set of nominations was made prior to the beginning of the new 118th Congress and reflect communities in the former 18th District of Illinois. Nominees completed a rigorous application process and interviews conducted by a selection panel of veterans and central and west-central Illinois community leaders. The U.S. Service Academies will inform the final nominees of their admission decisions over the next four months. LaHood will open the application process for 2024 Service Academy Nominations for 16th District Residents this Spring. The 2023 nominees can be found below.
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Elana Keyster, Dunlap - Dunlap High School
Nathan Maestas, Bloomington - Normal Community High School
Linden Neposchlan, Springfield - Springfield High School
Suneet Shivraj, Peoria - Dunlap High School
Lily Sturgell, Germantown Hills - Metamora High School
U.S. Air Force Academy
Brianna Covington, Peoria - Richwoods High School
George Fish, Bloomington - Bloomington High School
Brannon Kelley, Athens - Sacred Heart Griffin High School
Nathan Maestas, Bloomington - Normal Community High School
Leah Meghrian, Peoria - Dunlap High School
Linden Neposchlan, Springfield - Springfield High School
Andrew Reimers, Springfield - Sacred Heart Griffin High School
Suneet Shivraj, Peoria - Dunlap High School
U.S. Naval Academy
Marcus Daily, Princeville - Princeville High School
Aidan Fraas, Jacksonville - Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Esteban Hedgespath, Dunlap - Dunlap High School
Joseph Hoffer, Washington - Washington High School
Victoria Killian, Bloomington - Normal Community High School
Aidan Lemons, Peoria - Notre Dame High School
Leah Meghrian, Peoria - Dunlap High School
Linden Neposchlan, Springfield - Springfield High School
Andrew Reimers, Springfield - Sacred Heart Griffin High School
Breanne Turner, Elmwood - Elmwood High School
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