Davids Announces 17 Local Students Receive U.S. Service Academy Appointments
OVERLAND PARK, KS – Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids announced that 17 students from Kansas’ Third District have successfully received their appointments to U.S. Service Academies following her nomination. At her annual send-off event in Overland Park, Davids presented each student with a certificate acknowledging their incredible achievement.
“As the daughter of an Army veteran, I know the strength and sacrifice it takes to serve,” said Davids. “It’s an incredible honor to nominate these hardworking young Kansans to our nation’s Service Academies. Their dedication and drive represent the best of our community, and I have no doubt they’ll make us proud as the next generation of military leaders.”
Davids’ nonpartisan Academy Panelist Board conducted personal interviews with each applicant, in addition to reviewing written applications, letters of recommendation, and GPAs. Davids then nominated the students based on the board’s recommendations. This year’s board included:
- Eries L.G. Mentzer, Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)
- Mike Souder, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
- Steve Wallace, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, U.S. Army (Retired)
After receiving a nomination from Davids, these 17 applicants successfully met the individual admission requirements for their respective academies, which made the final decisions on admission appointments. They include:
United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO
- Cora Dow – Bonner Springs High School
- Kambree Duker – Saint James Academy
- James Dykes – De Soto High School
- Ryan Kwan – Blue Valley Northwest High School
- Neely Leathers – Olathe West High School
- Alex Roberts – Blue Valley Southwest High School
United States Military Academy at West Point, NY
- Thomas Deppe – Rockhurst High School
- Vance Provost – Olathe North High School
- Malia Reeder – Blue Valley North High School
United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point, NY
- Jason Brendel – Blue Valley High School
United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD
- Kaden Allen – Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
- Snowden Connor – Pembroke Hill School
- Archer Esh – Christ Preparatory High School
- Roger Li – Blue Valley West High School
- Levi Mason – Rockhurst High School
- Abraham Sund – Saint James Academy
United States Naval Academy Preparatory School at Newport, RI
- Clara Breneman – Shawnee Mission East High School