Vern Buchanan's student nominees are appointed to U.S. military service academies

WASHINGTON - Ten local students nominated by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, have been awarded appointment to the nation's military service academies, his office announced Friday.

Congress members nominate students for admission every year to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., according to a press release. Applicants are interviewed and recommended by a non-partisan service academy board.

"Recommending exceptional students from the Suncoast to our country's military service academies is an honor I do not take lightly," Buchanan said in the release. "Here in Florida's 16th congressional district, we are fortunate to have so many dedicated and courageous students willing to serve in our Armed Forces. I look forward to seeing these young men and women flourish in their college education and wish them the best as they begin their military careers."

Students accepted to the academies receive a free four-year education in return for a commitment to serve five years in active duty after graduation.

The following students nominated by Buchanan received an academy appointment:

Tyler Dean Abbott, Lakewood Ranch High School and Marion Military Institute, for the U.S. Military Academy

Emiliano Concha-Toro, Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, for the U.S. Military Academy

Shelby Kate Watson, Palmetto High School, for the U.S. Air Force Academy

Matthew William Pelton, Pine View High School, for the U.S. Air Force Academy

Judson Cole Haggard, Sarasota Military Academy and Virginia Military Institute, for the U.S. Military Academy

Garrett Jackson Lawlor, Pine View High School, for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Sarah Michelle Weiss, Booker High School, for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Samuel Heenan Winegar, Pine View High School, for the U.S. Naval Academy

Campbell Phoenix Thomas Lee, Home-schooled, for the U.S. Naval Academy

Gabriel Duremdez Pilones, Allendale Academy, for the U.S. Naval Academy

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Vern Buchanan's student nominees are appointed to U.S. military service academies ."