2023 Military Service Academy nominated - 32 young Alaskans included

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan announced the names of 32 young Alaskans he nominated to the U.S. Military Service Academies.

Senator Sullivan made his selections with the help of an Academy Review Board comprised of eleven members from across Alaska, many of whom are service academy graduates. The board reviewed applications interviewed each of the applicants and made recommendations to the senator.

“It is a highlight of my job to nominate young Alaskans to our nation’s prestigious military service academies. Academy applicants exhibit academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to serving their community and nation,” said Sen. Sullivan. “I especially want to commend these students for finding ways to serve their communities and excel in academics and athletics through the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to thank the dedicated members of the review board for volunteering countless hours of their own time to strengthen this process. We hope to see more applications next year. I encourage all young Alaskans to look into the incredible opportunities available at these world-class institutions.”

Representative Mary Sattler Peltola congratulated the Alaska students who received military service academy nominations from her office. Each year students may apply for a nomination for an appointment through their state’s congressional delegation.

“As a mother of two sons serving in the armed forces, I am so pleased to see Alaska students striving to serve their country through the various branches of our military,” said Rep. Peltola (D-Alaska). “Our armed forces play an important role in our state and educating and training Alaskans who could one day be leaders in Arctic national security is vital. I wish them all the best of luck as they seek an appointment to the Class of 2027.”

Members of the Alaska congressional delegation work closely with one another to maximize the opportunities for Alaska men and women to receive nominations to the academies. The nominations allow the applicants to compete for appointments to the academies. Appointments are offered individually by the academies.

Nominees are as follows:

US AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colorado Springs, CO
1.    Olivia Sommers– Soldotna**
2.    Annabelle Hyun Ko- Fairbanks**
3.    Evan Sahlstrom- Palmer**
4.    Clayton Johnson- Eagle River
5.    Lukas Phifer- New Mexico (out of state military dependent)
6.    Gatlin Nelson- Wasilla
7.    Kayla Graney- Italy (out of state military dependent)
8.    Dustin Williamson- Anchorage
9.    Jaeoni Amaker- Anchorage **
10.    Chandler Kohntopp- Fairbanks

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, Annapolis, MD
1.    Samuel Baisden- Kenai
2.    Preston Berthold –North Carolina** (out of state military dependent)
3.    Lauren Sulte—Anchorage
4.    Jaeoni Amaker—Anchorage**
5.    Bridger Beck—Kenai**
6.    Parker Buchanan –Virginia (out of state military dependent)
7.    Naomi Batac- Anchorage
8.    Chandler Kohntopp –Fairbanks **
9.    Dustin Williamson- Anchorage**
10.    Evan Sahlstrom- Palmer**
11.    Trey Lineberry-Maryland (out of state military dependent)

U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
1.    Zachary Watts—Germany (out of state military dependent)
2.    Luke Maddry—Wasilla
3.    Annabelle Ko—Fairbanks**
4.    Bridger Beck—Kenai**
5.    Olivia Sommers—Soldotna**

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY
1.    Evan Sahlstrom—Palmer**
2.    Samuel Baisden—Kenai**
3.    Preston Berthold—North Carolina** (out of state military dependent)
4.    Jaeoni Amaker—Anchorage**
5.    Trey Lineberry—Maryland** (out of state military dependent)

While the President of the United States officially makes all appointments to the United States service academies, each member of Congress is allotted a limited number of nominations, which they may submit for consideration of an appointment at each academy.

Members of the Alaska congressional delegation work closely with one another to maximize the opportunities for Alaska men and women to receive nominations to the academies. The nominations allow the applicants to compete for appointments to the academies.