Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06) recently presented 13 high school seniors with the Congressional Certificate of Merit, and honored the seven students nominated to service academies.
Rep. Michele Bachmann presents a Congressional Certificate of Merit to Natialia Valenchenko of Buffalo High for her academic merits. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s office)
“The students recognized this weekend should be very proud of their accomplishments,” said Bachmann. “I am honored to represent them in Congress, and I know I speak on behalf of the Sixth District in saying I can’t wait to see what they do in the years ahead.”
Congressional Certificate of Merit
The Congressional Certificate of Merit is awarded each year to high school seniors that have demonstrated academic achievement and exemplary citizenship during their high school career. The students listed below were nominated by a school faculty member or administrator. Each school may nominate only one student.
Spencer Clark, Andover High School
Kevin Bloch, Immaculate Conception Academy, St. Cloud
Brooke Volpone, Monticello High School
Brandon Fabel, Central High School, Norwood Young America
Carissa Nelson, PACT Charter School, Ramsey
Grant Tesdahl, Elk River High School
Cole Anderson, Becker High School
Natalia Velenchenko, Buffalo High School
Austin Schmitt, Royalton High School
Abbey Halonen, Dassel-Cokato High School
Jiahui Jiao, Delano High School
Gino Fraboni, Princeton High School
Luke Anderson, Legacy Christian Academy, Andover
Service Academy Nominations
Letters of Nomination are awarded to students who undergo a rigorous application process. Students started the process by submitting academic scores, recommendation letters and an essay on the topic, “Why I want to Attend a Service Academy”. They then underwent an interview with current military officers before receiving their nomination.
There are five Service Academies: The United States Air Force (USAFA), Naval (USNA), West Point (USMA), Merchant Marine (USMMA) and Coast Guard (USCGA) Academies. A nomination from a Representative or Senator is required for all but the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition. The following students received service academy nominations:
Daizjah Morris, Circle Pines (West Point)
Destinee Morris, Circle Pines (West Point)
Jacob Crippes, Zimmerman (Navy)
Alexander Miller, Anoka (West Point)
Alicia Neuman, Avon (Air Force)
Sophia Fillmore, Delano (Air Force)
McKenna Ekholm, Annandale (FALCON program Air Force Academy)