MEDIA RELEASE

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono has announced her nomination list of 26 students, who hail from Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, to the U.S. military service academies for the class entering in 2010.

The students’ applications are now being considered for final selections at the four service academies — the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Each year, U.S. representatives and senators make nominations to the four service academies. Each academy administrator then selects from the submitted lists.

To be eligible for nomination, each student has submitted an application and references, and met certain scholastic requirements. Nomination does not guarantee appointment.

Hirono’s 2010 academy nominations include four stdents from the Big Island.

U.S. Naval Academy

* Paulina Castillo (Hilo), Hilo High School
* Andy Felix (Wailuku), H.P. Baldwin High School, Naval Academy Preparatory School
* Karl Doehm (Kaneohe), Home School, University of Hawaii – Manoa
* Joshua Mossman (Kailua), Home School, Windward Community College
* Arin Nunes (Kailua), Kalaheo High School
* Brandon Nuss (Kaneohe), James B. Castle High School
* Willam Rodin (Kailua), Kalaheo High School
* Geramiah Simoes (Kailua), Iolani High School
* * Brittany Traylor (Kailua), Myron B. Thompson Academy
* Errol Vidad (Kailua), Kalaheo High School

U.S. Air Force Academy

* Jershon Baldomero (Kailua), Iolani High School
* Owen Cooper (Hilo), Waiakea High School
* Jeni Domingo (Wahiawa), Leilehua High School
* Nicholas Goo (Kaneohe), Iolani High School
* Russell Hapgood (Holualoa), Hawaii Preparatory Academy
* Preston Miura-Akagi (Hauula), Kahuku High School
* Joshua Mossman (Kailua), Home School, Windward Community College
* Ayesha Pladera (Kahului), H.P. Baldwin High School
* Tyler Vanderlaan (Lahaina), Lahainaluna High School

U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

* Jonathan Padron (Kapolei), Damien Memorial School
* Tyler Vanderlaan (Lahaina), Lahainaluna High School
* Daniel Engelhardt (Waipahu), Hanalani High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

* Chelsey Chapman (Wailuku), H.P. Baldwin High School
* Joseph Chavez (Kamuela), Hawaii Preparatory Academy
* Bronson Kau (Kaneohe), Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama
* Jerick Sablan (Kailua), Damien Memorial School