11.23.16

Hoeven Nominates Three Students for Military Academy Appointments

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has nominated three North Dakota students for appointments to our nation’s military academies. Hoeven nominated Elijah Stewart of Minot to the U.S. Naval Academy, Carson Fetting of Finley to the U.S. Air Force Academy and Abram Budge of Fargo to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“We are glad to nominate some of the best and brightest from North Dakota to appointments at our nation’s military academies,” Hoeven said. “Elijah, Carson and Abram have all worked hard to meet the strict application requirements necessary for appointments to the Naval, Air Force and Military Academies. They have the determination and work ethic needed to succeed at these prestigious military institutions, and I am confident they will add to the distinguished histories and traditions modeled by the leaders and individuals who have graduated from the academies.”

As part of the application process, service academies require students to be nominated by a member of Congress or the Vice President. Each academy determines final appointments. Those appointed receive a scholarship and military appointment and must serve in the military for at least five years following graduation.

Individuals interested in applying for a military academy nomination for academic year 2017-2018 should submit an application by October 2017. Additional information on service academy nominations is available through Senator Hoeven’s website.

Hoeven nominated the following North Dakota students for academy appointments:

United States Naval Academy

Elijah Stewart – Minot
Elijah is a senior at Bishop Ryan High School. His academic activities include serving in student government and as president of the local chapter of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of Math Counts and the Bishop Ryan High School band. He is actively involved in sports and is the quarterback on the Bishop Ryan High School football team, point guard on the basketball team and shortstop on the baseball team. Elijah also volunteers in the Minot community including with the Special Olympics, YMCA and Dream Catchers. His grandfather and uncles served in the military, one of whom was a member of the Blue Angel squadron. Elijah is the son of Peter and Julie Stewart.

United States Air Force Academy

Carson Fetting – Finley
Carson is a senior at Finley Sharon High School. He is top of his class and serves as class president, FFA president, student council president and is a member of the National Honor Society. Carson is a captain of the football team and member of the baseball, basketball, track and cross country teams. He is also involved in his church and community. Carson is the son of Arlin and Lori Fetting.

United States Military Academy (West Point)

Abram Budge – Fargo
Abram is a freshman at NDSU and 2016 Graduate of Fargo South High School. Throughout high school, Abram served in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC), which included time at Summer Leadership School where he served as Cadet Squadron Commander. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society, a participant in Science Bowl and Science Olympiad and was a member of Boys State and Boy Scouts. Abram volunteered over 900 hours with AFJROTC and his church. He was also involved in tennis, swimming, track and weightlifting. Abram is the son of Richard and Heather Budge.

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