Students from Kenai and Soldotna were included in nominations by Rep. Mary Peltola and Sen. Dan Sullivan to Military Service Academies for the Class of 2027. Nominees will compete for appointments at four military service academies.

Samuel Baisden and Bridger Beck, of Kenai, and Olivia Sommers, of Soldotna, are included in lists of nominees released Tuesday by Peltola and Sullivan.

Both releases explain that students interested in pursuing appointment to the military service academies can apply for nomination through their state’s congressional delegation, and that the members of Alaska’s delegation, Peltola, Sullivan, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, “work closely with one another to maximize the opportunities for Alaska men and women to receive nominations.”

The nominees to each academy will compete for appointments at the academies, both releases say.

Baisden was nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy and to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Beck was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Sommers was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“As a mother of two sons serving in the armed forces, I am so pleased to see Alaska students striving to serve their country through the various branches of our military,” Peltola says in her release. “I wish them all the best of luck as they seek an appointment to the Class of 2027.”

“It is a highlight of my job to nominate young Alaskans to our nation’s prestigious military service academies,” Sullivan says in his release. “I especially want to commend these students for finding ways to serve their communities and excel in academics and athletics through the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to information about the nomination process on Peltola’s website, students who attend service academies are obligated to serve in the military for a minimum of five years after graduation.

A full list of 2023 Military Service Academy nominees can be found at the websites of either Rep. Mary Peltola or Sen. Dan Sullivan, at peltola.house.gov or at sullivan.senate.gov.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.