Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced the 42 Alaskans she nominated to the U.S. service academies. Applicants are considered based on their academic record, community involvement, physical fitness and leadership capabilities.
“Every year, some of Alaska’s best and brightest young adults apply for the chance to attend these prestigious academies. I am honored to nominate each of these individuals as I am confident they will represent Alaska well,” said Murkowski. “I appreciate each nominee for their willingness to serve our nation and wish them each the best as they continue this highly-competitive process.”
Sen. Murkowski’s 2019 U.S. service academy nominees and their hometowns are as follows:
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Alenepi, Uriah — Eagle River
• Collins, Ecem — Wasilla
•· Gray, Joshua — Fairbanks
• Greenwell, Alanna — Military
• Johnson, Cordell — Military**
• Kelsch, Katheryn — Palmer
• Kohntopp, Lauren — Fairbanks
• Kooley, Mason — Military
• Kuenzli, Michael — Military
• Kuenzli, John — Military
• Leach, Kevin —Anchorage
• Motis, Aaron — Nome**
• O’Neill, Alexander — Eagle River
• Prater, Michael — Military
• Puls, Kiera — Anchorage
• Reitzig, Grace — Wasilla
• Sands, Ian — Anchorage
• Soldwedel, Emi — Anchorage
• Stoddard, Michael — Anchorage
• Tiffany, Walker — Military
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
• Austin, Victoria — Hoonah
• Handley, Theodore —Homer
• Llaneza, Ian Mikale —Anchorage
• Maroney, Madison — Anchorage
• Matiashowski, Raymond — Juneau
• Nicholai, Teeana — Palmer
• Porter, Clare — Eagle River
• Quigley, Wade — Girdwood
• Roberts, Trevor — Military
• Tenebro, Vince — Ketchikan
U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
• Antley, Semaj — Military
• Christiansen, Ethan — Anchorage
• Donnelly, Kenneth — Military
• Espinoza, Angel — Military
• Motis, Aaron — Nome**
• McNutt, Dugan —Juneau
• Orta, Christopher — Military
• Robison, Laelle — Wasilla
• Smith, Jacon — Military
• Warner, Aaron — Military
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
• Collins, Kyle — Military
• Dyches, Collin — Eagle River
• Hill, Kaleb — Naknek
• Johnson, Cordell — Military**
**Individuals that received more than one nomination from Sen. Murkowski