{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-announces-nominations-to-us-service-academies-for-2024-2025-school-year", "Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies for 2024-2025 School Year", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", "rounds", "https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated students for appointments to the nation\u2019s service academies.\n\nRounds nominated Ryan Fiechtner of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Nicholas Gray of Fort Pierre as his top nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Maya Lee of Dell Rapids as his top nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. In addition, Rounds nominated Nicholas Hanson, who received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to nominate our nation\u2019s future military leaders to U.S. service academies,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cThe U.S. service academies are among the most elite educational institutions in the world. After receiving a top-notch education, these South Dakotans will courageously serve our country as active-duty military members. We\u2019re proud of Ryan, Nicholas G., Maya and Nicholas H. for their desire to answer the call of duty to serve our nation.\u201d\n\nRyan Fiechtner of Aberdeen\u2013 Principal Nominee, U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)\n\nRyan Fiechtner is the son of Brad and Pam Fiechtner of Aberdeen, South Dakota. A senior at Aberdeen Central High School, Ryan is a member of the marching band and symphonic band. Ryan volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children in need. Ryan is a member of the National Honor Society and holds a 3.87 GPA.\n\n\"I am deeply grateful to receive Senator Mike Rounds' principal nomination to the United States Naval Academy,\u201d said Fiechtner. \u201cIt has been my dream to serve since my freshman year of high school. I'd like to thank my teachers, friends and family for their overwhelming support along the way. This opportunity has strengthened my resolve and commitment to the United States armed forces where I seek to become a representative for myself, my family and my country.\"\n\nNicholas Gray of Fort Pierre \u2013 Principal Nominee, U.S. Military Academy (West Point)\n\nNicholas is the son of Bob and Cara Gray of Fort Pierre, South Dakota. A senior at O\u2019Gorman High School, Nicholas plays hockey for the Sioux Falls Flyers, coaches younger skaters and teaches at hockey camps and clinics. Nicholas is involved in his church youth group and volunteers with Feeding South Dakota. Nicholas holds a 3.82 GPA.\n\n\u201cIt's an honor to be nominated to a service academy,\u201d said Gray. \u201cI am extremely thankful for the people who have supported me over the years and will continue to support me - including my family, friends, teachers, and coaches. West Point will help me achieve new heights as a leader and I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve my country.\u201d\n\nMaya Lee of Dell Rapids \u2013 Principal Nominee, U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)\n\nMaya Lee is the daughter of Christy and Gregory Lee of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Maya is a 2023 graduate of Dell Rapids High School and is currently attending the Georgia Military College under the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. While in high school, Maya was active in boxing, jiu jitsu, cross country and National Honor Society, graduating with a 3.95 GPA.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m extremely grateful to receive Senator Rounds\u2019 principal nomination for USAFA,\u201d said Lee. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to have a chance to serve alongside the brave men and women in the United States Air Force. I want to thank Senator Rounds and his team for helping me on this journey and my parents, teachers, friends, and boxing coach, as they continue to inspire me every day.\u201d\n\nIn addition to principal nominees, Rounds may send up to nine competitive candidates per academy for consideration by that academy. Rounds has selected the students listed below to receive a competitive nomination. Each service academy admission board gives full and fair consideration to these nominees and will determine final appointments.\n\nNicholas Hanson of Dakota Dunes \u2013 Competitive Nominee with Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment, U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)\n\nNicholas is the son of Joe and Jesica Hanson of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. A senior at Dakota Valley High School, Nicholas is active in student government and currently serves as Student Body President. He is on the football and track teams, and plays the trumpet in the marching, jazz and concert bands. Nicholas is a National Honor Society member and holds a 4.0 GPA.\n\n\u201cI am very thankful to have been selected to receive a nomination from Senator Rounds and his nominating committee,\u201d said Hanson. \u201cIt has been my dream to attend the United States Naval Academy. I look forward to representing South Dakota while serving our country as an officer. I am blessed to be able to have this opportunity and appreciate the support from my family and friends.\u201d\n\nU.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)\n\nRyan Fiechtner of Aberdeen, SD \u2013 Principal\n\nAubrey Fraasch of Milbank, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nNicholas Gray of Fort Pierre, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nNicholas Hanson of Dakota Dunes, SD \u2013 Competitive (Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment)\n\nDale Kinyon II of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nTalan Lunders of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nNicholas Maas of Sioux Falls, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nGrant Masek of Sioux Falls, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nJagur Parks of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nKeegan Thomas of Sioux Falls, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nU.S. Military Academy (West Point)\n\nNicholas Gray of Fort Pierre, SD \u2013 Principal\n\nAubrey Fraasch of Milbank, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nDale Kinyon II of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nSavanah Hendricks of Vivian, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nJagur Parks of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nU.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)\n\nMaya Lee of Dell Rapids, SD \u2013 Principal\n\nTrey Dunse of Webster, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nShae Fiala of Baltic, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nWilliam Fogarty of Hartford, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nTristan Fosberg of Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nSamuel Garrett of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nTalan Lunders of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nNicholas Maas of Sioux Falls, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nTrey Murray of Gregory, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nCaleb Pitsenberger of Flandreau, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nU.S. Merchant Marines Academy (Kings Point)\n\nTalan Lunders of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nJagur Parks of Rapid City, SD \u2013 Competitive\n\nStudents interested in attending a service academy go through a rigorous application process. Because the academies are highly competitive, students must meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical fitness, character and academics. The young people joining the military directly from the academies are among the highest caliber our country has to offer, which is a result of the challenging training and education they received at service academies. Students applying for service academies are required to receive a Congressional nomination as part of the application process. Those appointed receive a scholarship and military appointment and are required to serve in the military for at least five years upon graduation.\n\nIndividuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination beginning in academic year 2025-2026 (Class of 2029) should apply by October 1, 2024. Questions about the academy nomination application process can be directed to Rounds\u2019 Sioux Falls office by calling (605) 336-0486 or by emailing Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov. An informational packet and the application packet can be found on Senator Rounds\u2019 website at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations.\n\nPhotos of Rounds\u2019 nominees can be downloaded HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"]], "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://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-announces-nominations-to-us-service-academies-for-2024-2025-school-year"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.035930821672082, "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"}