Southwest Oklahoma students nominated to military academies

Students in Lawton and Elgin have received nominations to multiple military academies from U.S. Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole.

Cole, R-Oklahoma, announced the names of 15 high school students from the Fourth District that he has nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and U.S. Naval Academy.

Matthew Aguilar, Lawton, who attends MacArthur High School, and Sadie Garnett, Elgin, who attends Elgin High School, both were nominated to the Air Force, U.S. Military and U.S. Naval academies.

Cole said the nomination process is highly competitive, with applicants evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores and school records. Other criteria considered includes athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied. Applications still are being considered by the selection committees for potential admission to the academies.

Nominees from Lawton and the area are:

U.S. Air Force Academy: Matthew Aguilar, Lawton, MacArthur High School; Grace Flanagan, Walters, Epic Charter Schools; Sadie Garnett, Elgin, Elgin High School.

U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Matthew Aguilar, Lawton, MacArthur High School; Luke Blackmon, Fort Sill, MacArthur High School; Sadie Garnett, Elgin, Elgin High School.

U.S. Naval Academy: Matthew Aguilar, Lawton, MacArthur High School; Sadie Garnett, Elgin, Elgin High School.