U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, has nominated 24 Mid-Michigan students to the military academies and two, from East Lansing and Holt, have already received appointments.

“These young men and women are high achievers willing to accept the challenges of leadership and training for some of the toughest jobs in our nation,” Rogers said. “Nominees for appointments to the military academies have demonstrated strong character, leadership potential and achievement in academics. We are very proud of them and I am pleased to have nominated them to the academies.”

Nominees are selected from applicants who meet specific criteria. Each applicant is interviewed by a community committee established by Congressman Rogers. The committee makes recommendations for the successful nominees whose names are submitted to the military academies of their choice for consideration. Academies require a Congressional recommendation for appointment consideration.

Appointments are announced throughout the year by the academies. In 2009, 8th Congressional District nominees are seeking appointments to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.

Two students, ERIC ARTMAN, a 2007 graduate of East Lansing High School, and ARIELLE DYER, a 2009 senor at Holt High School, received their appointments this month. ARTMAN will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. Eric is the son of Nancy Artman of East Lansing and the late Bret Artman. DYER, daughter of Andrew and Teresa Dyer of Holt, will attend the U.S. Naval Academy.

Other academy nominees are:

Ingham County:

VINCENT MUNOZ, graduates in 2009 from Okemos High School. He is the son of Peter and Julia Munoz, Okemos, and is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

NICHOLAS McCARTY, a 2009 senior at Mason High School, and the son of Peter and Romi McCarty of Mason. He is nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Livingston County:

ERIN BROWN, a 2009 Brighton High School senior, is the daughter of Scott Brown and Kathy Herman of Brighton. She is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.

ROLAND NEAL, a 2009 senior at Detroit Catholic Central High School and the son of Rob Neal and Melissa Burnett of Brighton, is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

NATHAN ROSS, a senior in the Fowlerville High School Class of 2009, and the son of Dave and Lorraine Ross of Fowlerville, is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

KYLE GLADNEY, a senior in the Pinckney Community High School Class of 2009, is the son of Timothy and Karen Gladney of Pinckney. He is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy.

BRAD MORRISON, a Howell High School 2009 senior and the son of Scott and Tami Morrison of Howell, is nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

JOSHUA KOLNITYS, a 2009 senior Pinckney Community High School and son of Rick and Crista Kolnitys of Pinckney, is nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.

Clinton County:

BENJAMIN JACKSON, who will be a Saint Johns High School 2009 graduate, is the son of Timothy and Patricia Jackson of Saint Johns. His nomination is for the U.S. Naval Academy.

CRAIG SIMMON, a Fowler High School 2009 senior, and the son of David and Marie Simmon of Fowler, is nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

NATHANIEL STINE, who will graduate from Bath High School in 2009, is the son of Joseph and Nancy Stine of DeWitt. His nomination is for the U.S. Military Academy.

CHRISTOPHER PRICE will graduate from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, CO., in 2009. His parents are Michael and Teresa Price of DeWitt. Christopher’s nominations are for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Oakland County:

SIMON BAGINSKI, a 2008 graduate of Notre Dame Preparatory School in Pontiac, is the son of Andrew and Felicia Baginski of Lake Orion. His nomination is for the U.S. Military Academy.

TODD SULLIVAN, who is home schooled and will graduate in 2009, is the son of Steve and Lisa Sullivan of Oxford. His nominations are for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

MARIE TIMM, a 2006 Clarkston High School graduate and the daughter of Michael and Barbara Timm of Clarkston, is nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.

TYLER GORNEY, a 2009 senior at Brandon High School, is the son of Phil and Brenda Gorney of Clarkston. His nominations are for the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy. 

EVAN GROS, a 2009 senior at IA International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, is the son of James and Kathleen Gros of Lake Orion. His nomination is to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

ZACHERY NATTRASS will graduate in 2009 from Clarkston High School. He is the son of Keith and Kari Nattrass of Clarkston, and is nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

ERIC PEART, an Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory School 2009 senior, is the son of William and Janet Peart of Davisburg. He is nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.

LUKAS HELLER, a 2009 senior at Clarkston High School, is the son of Joseph and Margaret Heller of Ortonville. His nomination is for the U.S. Naval Academy.

FORBES DEVER II, will graduate from Clarkston High School in 2009. His parents are Peter and Beth Dever of Clarkston, and his nomination is for the U.S. Naval Academy.

NOLAN KIISKILA, a senior in the Romeo High School Class of 2009, is the son of Frank and Ann Kiiskila of Leonard. His nominations are for the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.