Cole Announces 2023 Military Academy Nominees

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the names of high school students from the Fourth District of Oklahoma that he has nominated for potential appointment to one of America’s military academies. The United States service academies provide for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces. The academies that receive congressionally nominated students include the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.

The nomination process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores and school records. Other criteria considered by Congressman Cole and the recommendation panel includes athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied.

“This is certainly an impressive list of America’s next generation of leaders, and I am honored to nominate them for potential appointment to one of our nation’s esteemed military academies,” said Cole. “Their desire to answer the call to serve our nation is truly inspiring. Regardless of where these students’ paths take them after high school, they undoubtedly have a bright future ahead of them.”

The list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they have been nominated. Note that applications are still being considered by the selection committees for potential admission at the various academies. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies.

U.S. Air Force Academy
Matthew Aguilar, Lawton – MacArthur High School
Mikel Bel Alvis, Norman – Culver Academies
Alayna Cecrle, Oklahoma City – Westmoore High School
Grant Gober, Midwest City – Carl Albert High School
Owen Kinzer, Moore – Moore High School
Makenzie Lehman, Blanchard – Community Christian School
Harrison Powers, Norman – Norman High School
Avery Walls, Blanchard – Blanchard High School

U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Zachary Alldredge, Lawton – Cache High School
Mikel Bel Alvis, Norman – Culver Academies
Makenzie Lehman, Blanchard – Community Christian School
Ian Leroux, Lawton – MacArthur High School

U.S. Naval Academy
Matthew Aguilar, Lawton – MacArthur High School
Mikel Bel Alvis, Norman – Culver Academies
Riley Amsler, Midwest City – Mount St. Mary High School
Jackson Clark, Norman – Academy of Classical Christian Studies
Makenzie Lehman, Blanchard – Community Christian School
Ian Leroux, Lawton – MacArthur High School
Harrison Powers, Norman – Norman High School