(Washington D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) announced today the nominations of 15 Eastern Washington students to the U.S. military academies. Interviews for the nominations were held on December 3, 2005 and conducted by a board of nine current and retired military officers.

“One of my top priorities is ensuring our national security, and that starts by making sure we have the best and brightest serving in our country’s military,” said McMorris. “These nominees are the future leaders of our Armed Forces and will be proud representatives of Eastern Washington. They will have the opportunity to become commissioned officers and will be entrusted to carry on the power and prestige of our military services.”

The following individuals were nominated to one or more of the military academies:

Yohannes Bennehoff, Colville
U.S. Naval Academy

Jonathan Brateng, Spokane
U.S. Air Force Academy

Amanda Brown, Fairchild AFB
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy
Merchant Marine Academy

Brock Chavez, Medical Lake
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy
Merchant Marine Academy

Desarea Chessar, Spokane
U.S. Military Academy

Fredrick (Lee) Franklin, Tonasket
U.S. Naval Academy

Chad Himelspach, Spokane
U.S. Air Force Academy

Brian Loupe, Spokane
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Military Academy

Joseph Meyer, Colbert
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy

Sidney Morris, Harrington
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy

James Myers, Spokane
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy

August Pope, Spokane
U.S. Military Academy

Amber Scott, Chattaroy
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy

Joshua Temple, Spokane Valley
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy
Merchant Marine Academy

Benjamin Wolfram, Walla Walla
U.S. Air Force Academy