Middle Tennessee Students Receive Academy Nominations

March 19, 2007, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon has nominated 17 Middle Tennessee residents to the U.S. service academies.

“Each year, I have the honor of nominating some of the most outstanding young men and women in Middle Tennessee to our nation’s service academies,” Gordon said. “I commend each of these students for their hard work throughout the selection process.”

To be admitted to any of the U.S. service academies, applicants must receive a nomination from their member of Congress. Receiving a nomination places the candidates into a very competitive pool of nominees from across the country. The academies make offers of admission to nominees from this pool. Candidates who receive an appointment are guaranteed offers of admission as long as they meet the minimum standards of the academies.

Candidates are selected following interviews with Gordon’s Service Academy Selection Committee, which also reviews the students’ academic records, community involvement and physical aptitude.

Students interested in attending the service academies should contact Sean Gilliland in Gordon’s Murfreesboro office at (615) 896-1986.

This year’s nominees are Westin Barber, Tania Buda, Nick Bundy, John Caruthers, Seth Cline, Daniel Criss, Jordan Hulsey, Zachary Kennedy, Justin Lanahan, Lauren Luckey, Patrick Martin, Daniel Reese, Grant Snyder, Timothy Blake Vaughn, Joshua Wendling, Robert Wolfe and Alan Wong.

U.S. Air Force Academy Nominees

Buda, a Pope John Paul II High School graduate, is a cadet at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. She is a member of the Art Honor Society and the Civil Air Patrol. At Pope John Paul II, she played basketball and ran track. Her parents are Silvestru and Mariana Buda.

Caruthers, a Portland High School student, is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and Sons of the American Legion and a cadet in the Air Force JROTC. His parents are David and Marcy Caruthers.

Cline, a Portland High School student, is a member of National Honor Society and Friendship of Christian Athletes. He is active in Future Farmers of America and played football, baseball and golf. His parents are Bruce Cline and Debbie Kibbey Holcomb.

“It has been my dream to go to the Air Force Academy for as long as I can remember,” Cline said.

Criss, a White House High School student, is an Eagle Scout and a cadet in the Air Force JROTC. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Beta Club. He is the son of Russell and Celeste Criss.

Hulsey received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. He is an Eagle Scout and a cadet in the Marine Corps JROTC at Hendersonville High School. He is also marching band drum major and competes on the swim team. His parents are Jeff and Lauren Hulsey.

Kennedy is an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Kennedy competes on the wrestling and football teams at Greenbrier High School. His parents are David and Sherry Kennedy.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and honor to be considered for the Academy,” Kennedy said.

Wendling, a Cascade High School student, is a member of the National Honor Society and senior class president. His parents are Peter Wendling and Charlotte Barnes.

Wong is a student at Merrol Hyde Magnet School, where he plays basketball and is a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His parents are William and Jennifer Wong. Wong has already received an offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“When I attended the summer programs at the academies, I knew that military life was for me,” Wong said.

U.S. Military Academy Nominees

Barber, a Smyrna High School student, received nominations to both the Military and Naval academies. He is involved in JROTC and the marching band and is the president of both the Historical Society and Beta Club. His parents are Paul Barber and Debra Wagner.

“It’s always been my dream to go to the Academy,” Barber said. “Just being nominated has helped me get ROTC scholarships for college.”

Bundy, a Hendersonville High School graduate, was the state wrestling champion. He is currently attending the Military Academy Prep School. His parents are Rick and Mary Bundy.

Lanahan, a student at Riverdale High School, received an appointment to the Military Academy. He is a cadet in the Army JROTC and a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. His parents are Dana and Tonya Lanahan.

Luckey, a Pope John Paul II High School graduate, is currently a student at the University of Massachusetts, where she plays Division I soccer. She is an Army ROTC cadet and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes member. She is the daughter of David Luckey and Amy Paul.

Martin, a Cookeville High School student, received an appointment to the Military Academy. He is a cadet in JROTC and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Boy Scouts of America. His parents are Derrel and Jamie Martin.

“I didn’t think it was possible until we started the interviews, then I realized that I might be going to Army,” Martin said.

Snyder, a Pope John Paul II High School student, attended the 2006 Naval Academy summer seminar program in Annapolis, Md. He is an accomplished soccer player, having participated in the Tennessee Olympic Soccer Development team, and an avid golfer. His parents are Bradley and Virginia Snyder. Snyder also received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Wolfe, a Christian Community High School student, is a member of the Beta Club. Wolfe attended the Strategic Intelligence Camp at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va. His parents are Jim and Kim Wolfe.

U.S. Naval Academy Nominees

Reese, a Blackman High School student, received an appointment to the Naval Academy. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Government Association. Reese also runs cross-country track and plays basketball. His parents are Darrell and Lyvonn Reese.

“It’s just such an honor to get a nomination,” Reese said. “My parents are a little shocked, but are supportive.”

Vaughn, a Livingston Academy High School student, attended the U.S. Naval Academy summer program, where he received an idea of what the Naval Academy experience would be like. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and plays soccer and football. His parents are Tim and Tonya Vaughn.

“With an education from the Naval Academy, one has unlimited opportunities to succeed in life,” Vaughn said.