Press Releases

WICHITA – Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas), along with panels of local community leaders, will interview 22 area high school students who applied for nomination to a U.S. service academy on Friday, Nov. 12.

Rep. Estes has tapped 12 distinguished community leaders with varying backgrounds to serve on the four interview panels. Their knowledge and understanding of our U.S. Armed Forces, current events and education thoroughly equips them to vet this year's exceptional applicants. In addition to meeting with the relevant panels, all applicants will also be interviewed by Rep. Estes.

"The 4th District is blessed to have citizens deeply committed to this country and our future," said Rep. Estes. "These panelists will bring their own unique backgrounds and experiences to interview the incredible students who have applied to our nation's prestigious service academies."

"Like in previous years, applicants will benefit from meeting with and answering questions from a distinguished panel of community leaders," said Rep. Estes. "Being selected for a service academy is a great honor, and these panelists will bring their extensive backgrounds and expertise to help select top candidates from an impressive pool of students."

Every year, Members of Congress may nominate up to ten candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy; the U.S. Naval Academy; the U.S. Air Force Academy; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Service academies provide a world-class education with an approximate value of $250,000 in addition to a monthly stipend provided to the cadet. Academies make the final selection for appointments based on additional evaluations.

U.S. Military Academy Interview Panel:

• Kris Baldwin – U.S. Military Academy graduate; parent of a U.S. Military Academy cadet
• Renee Erickson – Kansas State Senator; retired USD 259 teacher and principal
• Greg Zuercher – U.S. Air Force and U.S Army Staff Sergeant (ret.); commander, VFW Post 112

U.S. Naval Academy Interview Panel:

• Scott Bishop – U.S. Naval Academy graduate; Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr.; senior manager with Spirit AeroSystems
• Chad Gay – U.S. Marine Corps, Operation Desert Storm; Harvey County Sheriff
• Matt Treaster – U.S. Naval Academy graduate; Assistant U.S. Attorney; parent of a Naval Academy cadet

U.S. Air Force Academy Interview Panel:

• David Dennis – U.S. Air Force Col. (ret.); retired teacher; Sedgwick County Commissioner
• Cathy McClain – U.S. Air Force Academy graduate; retired with 25 years of service
• Jacob Parker – U.S. Air Force Academy graduate; U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.; Commander, 350th Air Refueling Squadron
• Comrie Peppers – U.S. Air Force Academy graduate; high school English teacher

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Interview Panel:

• James Cornell – U.S. Air Force Academy graduate; flight test assistant manager, defense and special mission aircraft, Textron Aviation
• Laura Leva Patterson – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate; regional sales engineer for Bosch Rexroth Corporation