WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced his nominees to the United States Service Academies. A nomination is required to attend the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination.   

Being nominated is a significant honor. The application process is rigorous, and only the most qualified and meritorious candidates receive a nomination.  

"Our service academies provide exceptional education and training that prepare students for leadership roles in our armed forces as well as the skills needed to succeed after their military service," said Heinrich. "I'm pleased to announce and congratulate this year's nominees–these students have shown incredible initiative and I commend them on their commitment to serve our country."  

The United States Service Academies offer four-year college educations to qualified students. Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy receive commissions in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marine, or Coast Guard, and are obligated to serve for at least five years after graduation.  

The following students received nominations through Senator Heinrich's office: 

 United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Jacqueline Cervantes Charlifue of Santa Fe 
• Arina Gancicova of Albuquerque* 
• Samantha Garcia of Albuquerque* 
• Aldo Hart-Mann of Anton Chico 
• Khan Lin of Albuquerque 
• Scarlett Marez of Los Lunas 
• Mark McNaney of Albuquerque 
• Kaden Nguyen of Albuquerque*
• Jonah Pinon of Roswell 
• Estevan Rodriguez of Albuquerque 

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland 

Pepper Cayme of Hobbs 
• Emily Crossman of White Sands Missile Range* 
• Javier Dueno of Las Cruces 
• Brittney King of Albuquerque 
• Mary Olivera of Roswell 
• Antonio Paulson of Albuquerque 
• Natalia Sabal of Gallup* 
• Jason Shelton, Jr. of Edgewood 
• Quinn Sorbello of Albuquerque 
• Alexander Kiegler, family stationed in South Korea 

United States Military Academy at West Point, New York 

Mark Brady of Las Cruces 
• Joshua George of Albuquerque 
• Verity Gray of Cedar Crest 
• Jason Holmes of Farmington 
• Lucy Kelley of Los Alamos 
• Robert Scott of Las Cruces 
• Matthew McCargish of Albuquerque 
• Breanna Molina of Chaparral* 
• John Spillane of Alamogordo* 
• Christopher Vega of West Point, N.Y.* 

United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York 

Emily Crossman of White Sands Missile Range* 
• Arina Gancicova of Albuquerque* 
• Samantha Garcia of Albuquerque* 
• Evan Kennedy of Roswell 
• Dalton Lee of Albuquerque 
• Breanna Molina of Chaparral* 
• Kaden Nguyen of Albuquerque* 
• Natalia Sabal of Gallup* 
• John Spillane of Alamogordo* 
• Christopher Vega of West Point, N.Y.* 

*Indicates a double nomination.