Four Manatee County Students Appointed to Service Academies

Eleven local students have received appointments to U.S. Service Academies, including four from Manatee County, as recently announced by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key).

Each year, members of the House and Senate nominate high school students from their districts for admission to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval academies. Applicants are interviewed and recommended by a nonpartisan Service Academy Board. The following students from Manatee County have received appointments:

- Andrew Mikell Thompson of Bradenton, an IMG Academy graduate, has been appointed to the Military Academy.

- Aspen Benigni of Palmetto, a Bradenton Christian School graduate, has received a Naval Academy appointment.

- Joshua Wolff of Bradenton, also an IMG Academy graduate, has been appointed to the Air Force Academy.

- Gavin Wolfgang Schlosser of Bradenton, an Admiral Farragut Academy graduate, has received a Naval Academy appointment.

"I would like to congratulate these outstanding young men and women for their appointments," Buchanan said. "They should take pride in having successfully competed with so many students from across the country. It is an honor not only for them, but for all who have supported them along the way."