WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) today announced his nominations to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2016, who will enter the Academies in 2012.

“This group of students displays a great array of talents in their academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements,” said Miller. “Each has worked hard to earn this nomination to a U.S. Service Academy. I’m proud to nominate each of them and I know that their greatest achievements are ahead of them.”

The nominees are:

Pierre Archambeau Vacaville High
Stefan Chun Vacaville High
Kyle Rairdan Vacaville High
Matthew Rounds Buckingham Charter Magnet
Alexander Swafford Armijo High
Michael York MAPS, USMA Prep
Darius Javan Vacaville Christian High
Katrina Bernal NAPS, Naval Prep
Andrew Butler Benicia High
Vincent Lee Benicia High
Eli Prompradit Benicia High
Ryan Grimes Rodriguez High
Grady Hofstetter Tianjin Normal University, China
Jannelle Medina Clayton High
Tielaiti Mahemuti UC Davis
Kenneth Johnson Northwestern Preparatory
Ryan Long DeLaSalle
Brandon Roberts DeLaSalle
Taylor Lindenhayn Acalanes High
Ervin Soberano Hercules Middle/High School

Congressional nomination is the first step in the admission process for the service academies. Each year, Members of Congress nominate outstanding high school students to the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies. The academies make the final decision on which students they accept from a national pool of applicants. The excellent educational opportunities and prestige of attending one of the nation's Service Academies makes competition for nomination and admission extremely difficult.

Students interested in attending one of the academies should visit www.georgemiller.house.gov or call (510) 262-6500 for more information about the nomination process.

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