Strong announces 21 North Alabama students appointed to U.S. service academies, prep schools

July 8, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Dale W. Strong (AL-05) announced the appointments of 21 students from Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District to attend U.S. service academies or their respective preparatory schools. “It is my honor to nominate students across the Tennessee Valley to attend our nation’s prestigious service academies. I am confident that these young men and women will represent North Alabama well and serve our nation with distinction. The Fifth District never fails to produce skilled, patriotic student leaders, and this year’s class is no exception,” said Representative Dale Strong. A nomination from a member of Congress is required before a student can receive an appointment to a service academy. To be considered for a nomination, candidates must meet certain academic, leadership, and character standards. Fifth District students who have accepted appointments to U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy Mark Andrzejewski, St. John Paul Catholic High School Stephen Case, Excalibur Christian School Alexander Cothren, Huntsville High School William Crocker, Randolph High School Judd Lunsford, Marion Military Institute/Randolph High School Jacob Plitsch, Lindsey Lane Christian Academy Richard Raleigh, Huntsville High School U.S. Naval Academy Matthew Kimmett, Decatur High School Maria Sands-Pingot, St. John Paul Catholic High School Frank Vegerita, Huntsville High School U.S. Naval Academy Prep School Harrison Lockett, Bob Jones High School U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Scholarship Matthew Matkin, Brewer High School U.S. Air Force Academy Kristianna Berger, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering Katherine Boyer, Sparkman High School Eleanor Dykema, Georgia Military College Antonio Little, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School/James Clemens High School Isabelle Park, Bob Jones High School Caleb Shultz, Huntsville High School George Youngblood, Decatur High School U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School Jacob Parks, Bob Jones High School U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Brennan Bowling, St. John Paul Catholic School Representative Strong hosts an Academy Day annually with recruiters from military organizations, collegiate ROTC, and admissions representatives from each service academy. Information for Representative Strong’s 2026 Academy Day: WHERE: Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus 345 Voyager Way, Huntsville, AL 35806 WHEN: Saturday, August 22 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ###