Greensboro, NC - U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (NC) today announced her 2013 nominees to the U.S. Service Academies. As some of the most selective institutions of higher education in the country, the U.S. Service Academies require applicants to receive a nomination from a member of Congress in addition to meeting eligibility and entrance requirements.

"Congratulations to this year's nominees, who are truly among the best of the best," said Hagan. "These young men and women have distinguished themselves in the classroom, on the athletic field and within their communities. I wish them the best of luck as they continue the application process and I commend them for seeking a world-class education while serving our country."

Each year, Hagan hosts Academy Day for middle and high school students interested in applying to a U.S. Service Academy. The event provides an opportunity for students to meet with cadets and midshipmen from the service academies and learn more about the nomination process through Hagan's office. Representatives from all five academies - the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy - are on hand to speak with students, parents and guidance counselors. This year, over 400 students attended Academy Day in Winston-Salem.

Hagan, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, comes from a proud military family. Her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General and her husband, father and brother all served in the Navy. Two of her nephews served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hagan's 2013 nominees to the U.S. Service Academies are below.

United States Air Force Academy
Tyler Albright, Lincolnton (Lincoln)
Victoria Bittleston, Statesville (Iredell)
Jesse Chasteen, Blowing Rock (Watauga)
Kaitlyn Kent, Mooresville (Iredell)
Nick Lubinecky, Wesley Chapel (Union)
Mason Kimmel, Hampstead (Pender)
Genevieve Miller, Winston-Salem (Forsyth)
Noell Noudewo, Overseas
Ethan Porter, Raleigh (Wake)
Rachel Raineri, Wake Forest (Wake)

United States Military Academy
James Adams, Charlotte (Mecklenburg)
Alexander Bisi, Apex (Wake)
Quinn Dougherty, Smithfield (Johnston)
Andrew Dutch, Greensboro (Guilford)
David Foye, Cary (Wake)
Kristopher Lindner, Morehead City (Carteret)
Rachel Preston, Raleigh (Wake)
Tye Smarjesse, Fletcher (Henderson)
Nathanael Thomas, Asheboro (Randolph)
Aaron Totten, Dunn (Harnett)

United States Naval Academy
Ashanti Curry, Jacksonville (Onslow)
Dalton Graybill, Monroe (Union)
Gilliam Hill, Elon (Alamance)
Albert Hucks, Oriental (Pamlico)
Samuel Parker, Kernersville (Forsyth)
Thomas Phillips, Raleigh (Wake)
Tanner Russ, Cornelius (Mecklenburg)
Salvatore Savarese, Apex (Wake)
Nancy Smith, Asheville (Buncombe)
Morgan Speight, Winston-Salem (Forsyth)

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Chase Boozer, Kernersville (Forsyth)
Tichina Carmon, Grimesland (Pitt)
Thomas Chimiak, Morganton (Burke)
Dillon Lewis, Mt. Holly (Gaston)
Mary London, Statesville (Iredell)
Cole Matolka, Gastonia (Gaston)
Patrick Morgan, Roxboro (Person)
Zachary Szymansky, Moyock (Currituck)
Kirsten Votaw, Cameron (Moore)