{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://jasonsmith.house.gov/2026/09/16/congressman-smith-hosts-annual-academy-day-for-high-school-students/", "Congressman Smith Hosts Annual Academy Day for High School Students", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", "jasonsmith", "https://jasonsmith.house.gov/category/press_release/", "scraper", "HILLSBORO, Mo. \u2013 Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), joined by members of the Missouri delegation, recently hosted an Academy Day event at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, where hundreds of high school students and parents came to hear from admissions representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.\n\nCongressman Smith said, \u201cNominating Missouri Students to a U.S. Service Academy is one of my favorite parts of this job because it\u2019s a clear reminder that our rising generation is carrying a strong sense of patriotism as they look to their next chapter. This is especially true across Missouri, as this year\u2019s Academy Day had more attendees than we\u2019ve seen in a long time show up to learn more about how to serve their country.\n\n\u201cServing in our nation\u2019s military is one of the most admirable things one can do, and attending a U.S. military service academy is a high honor that sets Missouri students up for success throughout their lives. It takes selflessness, discipline, integrity, and most of all, a love for your country. Thank you to all of the students and parents who showed up to learn more about our service academies, and thank you to each of the academy representatives for taking part in this special event.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe event was co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley, and U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner (MO-02), Bob Onder (MO-03), and Wesley Bell (MO-01).\n\nCongressman Smith has co-sponsored the annual Academy Day since 2019, and this year\u2019s event saw the highest turnout ever with 275 students, family members, and educators in attendance.\n\nEach member of Congress has the privilege of nominating gifted students each year to attend a service academy.\n\nSelection is based on a review process by the respective service academy evaluating academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, and letters of recommendation.\n\nLast year, five of Congressman Smith\u2019s nominees received appointments, and since his election in 2013, 46 students from Missouri\u2019s 8th District have been appointed.\n\nStudents can begin applying in the spring semester of their junior year of high school.\n\nFor more information on the nomination process or to apply for a service academy nomination, please contact Congressman Smith\u2019s Service Academy Coordinator at donna.hickman@mail.house.gov or all 573-756-9755.\n\nThis year\u2019s Academy Day drew the largest crowd ever as 275 students and parents came to hear from admissions representatives from each of the U.S. service academies\n\nFarmington High School Senior Chris Cooper asks a question to service academy representatives regarding admissions\n\nU.S. Air Force Academy graduate Jeff Orr speaks with students from Missouri\u2019s 8th District\n\nKyler Bell of Vichy, Missouri, speaks with Navy Midshipman Jonathan Reyna\n\nCampbell Senior Isabelle Dyer speaks with Marcus Genova, representative from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://jasonsmith.house.gov/2026/09/16/congressman-smith-hosts-annual-academy-day-for-high-school-students/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.175854053348303, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}