Tester nominates 4 Missoula-area youth to military academies

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester on Thursday announced the nomination of four Missoula-area high school students to apply to one of the nation’s prestigious military academies.

Tester’s 2012 service academy nominations include:

• Tawnie Kerr, Missoula: U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

• Jackson Langland, Missoula: U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

• Derek Nordberg, Missoula: U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

• Preslee Maki, Florence: U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

The four students are among 34 Montana students Tester nominated this year based on their academic achievement, leadership, community service and participation in extracurricular activities.

A nomination, usually from a member of Congress, is the first step in applying to attend a military academy. Montanans interested in applying for a nomination can do so at tester.senate.gov/nominations.