Local cadets receive military academy nominations

KELLOGG — Kellogg High School students Ethan Tomczyk and Angel Beier were recently announced as nominees to the four United States Military Academies by Idaho’s members of Congress.

Beier was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy — West Point by Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Russ Fulcher. Rep. Fulcher also nominated Beier for both the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Tomczyk was nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy by Senators Crapo and Jim Risch, as well as by Rep. Fulcher.

Rep. Fulcher said of his nominees, “Congratulations to the nominated candidates and best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies to serve our country and represent the great state of Idaho.”

Beier and Tomczyk were two of the 45 students nominated by Sen. Crapo and two of 50 by Sen. Risch.

“These students have demonstrated the best of Idaho’s commitment to service and country,” Crapo said. “This year’s 45 nominees have indicated a desire and willingness to pursue higher education in one of these academies, and I have confidence in their leadership and academic skills. I congratulate these individuals on their nomination and look forward to their success as they continue to represent our state well into the future.”

Both Beier and Tomczyk will now wait to see if their nominations result in appointments to the academies of their choosing.

Both students have attended the Marine Corps JROTC program for four years and are both Officers in the program.

JROTC Senior Marine Instructor Major Craig Petersen was pleased to hear of the nominations for his cadets and was quick to heap even more praise on the duo.

“Both of these students have worked extremely hard both academically and physically, and to receive these nominations are a testament to their focus, work ethic and leadership,” Petersen said. “Both SgtMaj Smith and myself are extremely proud of both these individuals and are hopeful that they will receive appointments to their chosen academy in the near future.”

Tomczyk has also applied for a Naval ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Idaho if he isn’t accepted into the Naval Academy.