Local seniors nominated to U.S. service academies

Chugiak-Eagle River/Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson has the highest percentage of active duty and veterans in Alaska and the area garnered more of its share of service academy nominations from the state’s congressional delegation.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Rep. Don Young recently announced their nominations to the nation’s four service academies — the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Some local students were nominated to multiple academies by multiple members of Congress, such as Eagle River High’s Cadet Major Rylee Price, a cadet in the school’s AFJROTC who was ranked as one of the nation’s top eight cadets in a national competition. Price earned five nominations to three different academies and was nominated at least once by all three members of Alaska’s delegation.

Here’s the complete list of Chugiak-Eagle River and JBER nominations:

Rep. Don Young

U.S. Naval Academy — Brooks Christian, Eagle River; Austin Desjarlais, Eagle River; Elijah Emory, Eagle River; Jessy George, JBER; Clayton Peeler, Eagle River; Rylee Price, Eagle River

U.S. Military Academy — Sean Altenburg, Eagle River; Semaj Antley, Fort Richardson; Brooks Christian, Eagle River; Clayton Peeler, Eagle River; Rylee Price, Eagle River; Benjamin Staples, JBER

U.S. Air Force Academy — Jakob Lamar, Eagle River; Alexander O’Neill, Eagle River; AnnaLeah West, JBER

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — Devin Wilcox, JBER

Sen. Dan Sullivan

U.S. Air Force Academy — Elijah Bennett, Eagle River; Clayton Peeler, Eagle River; Rylee Price, Eagle River; Devin Wilcox, JBER

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — Devin Wilcox, JBER

U.S. Military Academy — Benjamin Staples, JBER

U.S. Naval Academy — Brooks Christian, Eagle River; Austin Desjarlais, Eagle River; Elijah Emory, Eagle River

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

U.S. Air Force Academy — Evan Adamsm Military; Jessy George, JBER; Emily Whisenhunt, Military

U.S. Naval Academy — Austin Desjarlais, Chugiak; Rylee Price, Eagle River

U.S. Military Academy — Sean Altenburg, Eagle River; Elijah Bennet, Military; Brooks Christian, Eagle River; Zachary Colthirst, Military; Clayton Peeler, Military; Eric Prindle, Military; Rylee Price, Eagle River