Congressman Sam Graves, on Monday morning, announced he has nominated a Brookfield High School student, Micah Blakely, to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Blakely is an Eagle Scout and active in Brookfield's Student Council. His parents are David and Cindy Blakely of Brookfield.

The nomination system is a very competitive process. Various military academies hold very selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Graves created an "Academy Nominations Review Board". The board, made up of service academy graduates and citizens within the Sixth District, interviews and reviews all applicants and makes final recommendations.

Graves, who notified each student by phone that he was nominating them, said it was 'very difficult' to make his final selections since all students that applied were 'exceptional based on their academic credentials and extensive involvement in school and community activities'.

Students interested in being appointed to a service academy can find out more information by contacting Graves' district office in Liberty or by visiting his website at www.house.gov/graves.