Walden nominates two C.O. students to service academies

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced Wednesday that he has nominated two Central Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies.

Walden’s Service Academy Nomination Board — active and retired military officers who interview potential candidates for the service academies — recommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character.

“I am honored and privileged to nominate these remarkable young Oregonians to our nation’s service academies,” Walden said. “Their years of hard work and dedication have led to these much deserved nominations. These students have shown a desire to grow intellectually, lead by example, and serve their country by pursuing a higher education at one our country’s select service academies. I am confident that each will be successful in this admirable endeavor, and that America’s future is in good hands.

“I’d like to thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for recommending these young leaders. Their service to our country and experience wearing our nation’s uniform speaks to the character of the students they interviewed and referred for nomination. These nominations would not be possible without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to excel and succeed at the U.S. service academies,” said Walden.

Serving on Walden’s Service Academy Nomination Board are: retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Frank Toney, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Harriet Harris, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Howard, retired U.S. Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Richard Halsted, and Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Travis Lee.

The service academies include the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be determined by officials at each respective academy this spring.

Students who are interested in learning more about service academy nominations can visit Walden’s website at https://walden.house.gov/academynominations .

The nominees from Deschutes and Jefferson counties are as follows:

Deschutes County

Kade Sundvall, son of Timothy & Laura Sundvall of Sisters, attending Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia — nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Jefferson County

Savannah Holliday, daughter of Alfredo Holliday & Rose Ball of Warm Springs, attending Madras High School — nominated to the U.S. Military Academy.