MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka has announced his nominations to the United States service academies for the class entering July 2010, including four students from the Big Island.

The students were selected on the basis of their academic achievement, test scores, character references, physical fitness, goals and motivation and leadership ability.

Akaka uses a competitive system of nomination. This procedure allows all nominees to compete on an equal basis. In this system, the final selection for appointment will be made by the respective academy’s academic board.

For each vacancy, up to 10 candidates can be nominated. The nominee selected for appointment will be that person whose all-around performance indicates the greatest likelihood of success as a career officer.

Students interested in applying for future academy nominations can find more information on Akaka’s Web site at: http://akaka.senate.gov/academy-nominations.cfm

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY

* Christopher Abdul, Kaiser High School, son of Edward and Agnes Abdul of Honolulu, Oahu
* Michael Chae, Kaiser High School, son of Chelsea and Christine Chae of Honolulu, Oahu
* John Foy, Iolani School, son of John and Terry Foy of Honolulu, Oahu
* Patrick Gallagher, Moanalua High School, son of Craig and Ellen Gallagher or Honolulu, Oahu
* Jennifer Kimura, Iolani School, daughter of Kay and Joan Kimura of Honolulu, Oahu
* Edwin Lee, U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, son of Kwang Ho Lee of Honolulu, Oahu
* Joshua Mossman, Northwestern Preparatory School, son of Paul and Fern Mossman of Kailua, Oahu
* Jonathan Padron, Damien Memorial School, son of Jeffrey and Crystal Padron of Kapolei, Oahu
* Sirena Reyes, Kapolei High School, daughter of Paul Reyes and Sarajane Larken of Kapolei, Oahu
* Lauren Wood, Punahou School, daughter of Robert and Mary Wood of Honolulu, Oahu

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

* Robinson Bucaneg, Campbell High School, son of Robin Bucaneg and Ann Jannette Rulloda of Ewa Beach, Oahu
* Paulina Castillo, Hilo High School, daughter of Nancy Castillo and Cecil Lankford of Hilo, Hawaii
* Chelsey Chapman, Baldwin High School, daughter of James Chapman and Suprema Ruiz of Wailuku, Maui
* Justin Chock, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Richard and Debra Chock of Honolulu, Oahu
* Nigel Guillermo, Campbell High School, son of Marissa Guillermo of Ewa Beach, Oahu
* Brandon Nuss, Castle High School, son of Brian and Reiri Nuss of Kaneohe, Oahu
* Kevin Park, Iolani School, son of Wonsik and Kwangsun Park of Honolulu, Oahu
* Elizabeth Skardon, St. Andrew’s Priory, daughter of Taylor and Nancy Skardon of Honolulu, Oahu
* Errol Vidad, Kalaheo High School, son of Lino and Herminia Vidad of Kailua, Oahu
* Jonathan Yuen, Punahou School, son of Jonathan and Sandra Yuen of Honolulu, Oahu

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

* Owen Cooper, Waiakea High School, son of Paul and Barbara Cooper of Hilo, Hawaii
* Joseph Dunham, USAFA Preparatory School, son of Evangeline Tan and Ferdinand Tan of Honolulu, Oahu
* Kameona Hokoana, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Deborah Pearce and Monte Hokoana of Honolulu, Oahu
* Noel Kawano, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Darryl and Dawn Kawano of Honolulu, Oahu
* Kody Kekoa, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Kevin and Janice Kekoa of Honolulu, Oahu
* Daniel Moore, Hanalani Schools, son of Randall and Sue Ann Moore of Pearl City, Oahu
* Leonard Paresa, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Lon and Marie Paresa of Honolulu, Oahu
* Ayesha Pladera, Baldwin High School, daughter of Jeraul and Elithe Pladera of Kahului, Maui
* Brandon Sawada, Kealakehe High School, son of Alden and Catherine Sawada of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
* Antonio Trillo, Jr., Leilehua High School, son of Antonio and Margarita Trillo, Sr. of Wahiawa, Oahu

U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

* Joey Chavez, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, son of Jay and Diane Chavez of Kamuela, Hawaii
* Karl Doehm, University of Hawaii at Manoa, son of David and Tamara Doehm of Kaneohe, Oahu
* Bronson Kau, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, son of Bryan Kau and Cindy Eleneki-Otukolo of Kaneohe, Oahu
* Jerick Sablan, Damien Memorial School, son of Eric and Janice Sablan of Kailua, Oahu