11.13.15

Hoeven Nominates Five Students for Military Academy Appointments

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has nominated five North Dakota students for appointment to our nation’s military academies. Hoeven nominated: Austin Greenheck and Quinn Greenheck of Minot to the United States Naval Academy; Chandler Gerhold and Jack Gibbons of Fargo to the United State Air Force Academy; and Ethan Porter of Bismarck to the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

“It is a pleasure to nominate some of North Dakota’s best and brightest for appointments to our nation’s military academies,” Hoeven said. “These students have worked hard to meet the strict requirements necessary to apply for an appointment to the U.S. Air Force, Naval and Military Academies. These institutions have a distinguished history of shaping and educating some of our country’s finest leaders. These North Dakotans have the determination and work ethic necessary to succeed at these prestigious military institutions.”

As part of the application process, service academies require students to be nominated by a member of Congress or the Vice President. Final appointments are determined by each academy. Students appointed to the academies receive a scholarship as well as a military appointment. Following graduation, students must serve in the military for at least five years.

Individuals interested in applying for a military academy nomination for academic year 2016-2017 should submit an application by September 2016. Additional information on service academy nominations is available through Senator Hoeven’s website at www.hoeven.senate.gov.

Hoeven nominated the following North Dakota students for academy appointments:

United States Naval Academy

Austin Greenheck - Minot, ND

Austin is a senior at Minot High School, where he is active in the band, Junior ROTC and National Honor Society. Austin is also a member of the track and field team and the senior team captain of the cross country team. He is active in the community and has volunteered at the food pantry, the local soup kitchen, at the North Dakota State Fair and Norsk Hostfest. Austin and his twin brother, Quinn, started the FoxSocks for Soldiers campaign and raised over $3,300 from the local community to send 356 pairs of socks to soldiers. He is also a Cadet 1st Lieutenant, Cadet Commander in the Civil Air Patrol. Austin is the son of Tim and Sue Greenheck.

Quinn Greenheck - Minot, ND

Quinn is a senior at Minot High School, where he is active in the band, Junior ROTC and National Honor Society. Quinn has also played on football team for four years. Quinn is active in the community and has volunteered at the local soup kitchen, the North Dakota State Fair and Norsk Hostfest. He and his twin brother, Austin, started the FoxSocks for Soldiers campaign and raised over $3,300 from the local community to send 356 pairs of socks to soldiers. Quinn is the son of Tim and Sue Greenheck.

United States Air Force Academy

Chandler Gerhold - Fargo, ND

Chandler is a senior at Davies High School in South Fargo, where he has been involved in various extracurricular activities including the Key Club, Debate, Air Force Junior ROTC, Leo Club and SHAPE. Chandler was also a member of the JV Baseball and Varsity Track and Field teams. He has been awarded the Student of the Month, as well as multiple Eagle SOAR Awards and three academic letters. He is active in the Students Today Leaders for Tomorrow Group and has completed two mission trips with the Church Youth Ministry. Chandler is the son of Randall and Danita Gerhold.

Jack Gibbons - Fargo, ND

Jack is a senior at Fargo North High School, where he is co-president of the History Club and the Junior Classical League Parliamentarian. Jack has taken several AP courses and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also captain of the Fargo-Moorhead Boys High School Foil Fencing Team. He is active in his community and has served as a math and science tutor and Guildhaus volunteer. Jack is the son of Jeff and Lynette Gibbons.

United States Military Academy (West Point)

Ethan Porter - Bismarck, ND

Ethan is a senior at Bismarck Century High School. He is active in track and field, soccer, cross country and serves as captain of the swim team. Ethan plays percussion in the band, and was voted as assistant drum major this year. He has been active in student council, German Club and is part of Mentanahs, the schools’ comical boys dance team. Ethan is an Eagle Scout and has passed his ordeal into the Order of the Arrow. He has been a church youth leader and served in El Salvador with Habitat for Humanity last summer. Ethan is the son of Michael and Theresa Porter.

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