Murkowski nominates students for 2013 academy appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Lisa Murkowski has nominated seven Valley high school seniors for appointment to U.S. military service academies for the class of 2017.

Nominees are selected based on their academic records, extracurricular activities and leadership capacity. Murkowski’s nominees will compete against other candidates nationwide for a spot in the entering class. Though a congressional nomination to a service academy is an accomplishment within itself, it does not guarantee admission; service academies will make final decisions.

Nominated are:

• U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.: Coleman Smith, Palmer.

• U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.: Samantha Everett, Palmer; Derick Hanna, Wasilla; Luke Heun, Palmer.

• U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.: Kara Butler, Wasilla; Brandon Kavalok, Palmer.

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.: Willa Nagel, Palmer.