Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) today announced his nominations to the United States service academies for the class entering July 2006.
The competitive system of nomination is used. This procedure allows all nominees to compete on an equal basis. In this system, the final selection for appointment will be made by the respective academy's academic board. (For each vacancy, up to 10 candidates can be nominated.) The nominee selected for appointment will be that person whose all-around performance indicates the greatest likelihood of success as a career officer.
The students were selected on the basis of their academic achievement, test scores, character references, physical fitness, goals and motivation, and leadership ability.
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY
Gian Agni, University of Hawaii-Manoa, son of Carolina Agni of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Patience Bediako, Leilehua High School, daughter of Francis and Gloria Essandoh of Wahiawa, Oahu. Michael Eide, Damien Memorial School, son of Kenneth and Pok Cha Eide of Mililani, Oahu. Christopher Kardos, Saint Louis School, son of John and Laura Kardos of Honolulu, Oahu. Reyn Mossman, Kapaa High School, son of Jay and Yuki Mossman of Kapaa, Kauai. Benny Tran, Damien Memorial School, son of Linh and Nga Tran of Kaneohe, Oahu. Bradley Wee, Hanalani Schools, son of Stephen and Theresa Wee of Waipahu, Oahu.
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
Sean Dunham, Punahou School, son of David and Elizabeth Dunham of Honolulu, Oahu. Savannah Frank, Radford High School, daughter of Perry and Krystal Frank of Honolulu, Oahu. Carolyn Horiye, Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Gordon Horiye and Rosalyn Docena of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Laura Hudson, Waimea High School, daughter of Sandra Hudson of Kalaheo, Kauai. Wesley Jahraus, home schooled; son of Timothy and Robin Jahraus of Hilo, Hawaii. Weixin Matsuoka, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, daughter of Takashi Matsuoka and VV Hsu of Honolulu, Oahu. Christina Pryne, Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Tyler Pryne and Jacqueline Medeiros of Honolulu, Oahu. Scott Shaw, Honolulu Community College, son of Gary and Florencia Shaw of Honolulu, Oahu. Erica Suzuki, Campbell High School, daughter of Eric Suzuki and Carmen Short-Shagam of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Daniel Tortuga, Punahou School, son of Edgardo and Eileen Tortuga of Waipahu, Oahu.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Christopher Aguilar, Waimea High School, son of Victor and Priscilla Aguilar of Kalaheo, Kauai. Stephen Albano, Mililani High School, son of James and Leila Albano of Mililani, Oahu. Carsen Chun, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School, son of Eben and Keiko Chun of Honolulu, Oahu. Jason Fung, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School, son of Jay and Kathleen Fung of Honolulu, Oahu. Wesley Jahraus, home schooled, son of Timothy and Robin Jahraus of Hilo, Hawaii. Howard Knapp, Campbell High School, son of Howard and Maria Knapp of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Jason Mahuna, Kamehameha School, Hawaii Campus, son of Calvert and Karin Mahuna of Hilo, Hawaii. Talitha Richards, Sacred Hearts Academy, daughter of Jeff and Sharalyn Richards of Kailua, Oahu. Frank Speetjens, Kauai High School, son of John and Melissa Speetjens of Kalaheo, Kauai. Daniel Tortuga, Punahou School, son of Edgardo and Eileen Tortuga of Waipahu, Oahu.
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Gian Agni, University of Hawaii-Manoa, son of Carolina Agni of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Allen Gervacio, Jr., Campbell High School, son of Allen and Ramona Gervacio, Sr. of Ewa Beach, Oahu. Lester Orsino, Waipahu High School, son of Mario and Milagros Orsino of Waipahu, Oahu.
