CONGRESSIONAL NEWS

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has announced student nominations from the State of New Mexico to enter the United States Service Academies. The list includes two Los Alamos High School seniors Thomas Oldham and Kelly Wetteland who have been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.

“New Mexico has a rich history of service in all branches of our military. I’m honored to further that tradition by nominating some of New Mexico’s best and brightest to our United States Service Academies,” said Senator Luján. “Through their diligence and dedication, each of these students have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our state and our nation, and I know they will continue to make New Mexico proud.”

Interviews took place in early Fall. Senator Luján’s Service Academy Selection Board considered all the applications from the young New Mexicans interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Academy nominees submit an application that includes a personal statement, resume, letters of reference, academic transcripts, and standardized test scores. If nominated by Senator Luján, applicants must meet the individual admission requirements for each academy. Students may be nominated for more than one service academy. The academies make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission.

Selection to U.S. Service Academies is among the most competitive and rigorous in the country; regardless of the number of qualified applicants each Member of Congress nominates, only a select few are accepted by the service academies each year. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2022.