By The Office of U.S. Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
SALINA, Kan. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. is pleased to announce the nomination of Cristina Pena of McPherson to West Point and the U.S. Naval academies. Cristina is the daughter of Fidencio Angel and Melanie Nicole Pena.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to nominate Cristina to West Point and the Naval academy,” Senator Marshall said. “As a veteran myself, I commend Cristina’s commitment to leadership, service, and duty. Her willingness to serve her county is inspiring and represents the best of our next generation.”
A total of 53 Kanas high school students participated in U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D.’s 2023 Military Service Academy interviews, resulting in 38 students receiving nominations for at least one U.S. military service academy. All students nominated by Senator Marshall are further vetted and reviewed by Academy staff before receiving a final determination on acceptance.
This year’s interviews were conducted in November at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. Applicants were interviewed by the following panelists: Scott Stuckey, Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, Junction City; Janet Nichols, Protocol Chief, First Infantry Division, Manhattan; Jeff Mitchell, Naval Academy graduate, Blue and Gold Officer at the Naval Academy, Lawrence; Lee Gilgour, Blue and Gold Officer at the Naval Academy, Kansas City; Brevin Irvin, West Point Graduate, Wichita Firefighter, Firehouse 20, Wichita; and Bonnie Molz and Tyler Mason, staff for Senator Marshall.
Background:
Each year, Senator Marshall has the opportunity to nominate Kansas students for admission to at least one of the United States’ four elite military service academies, which include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Students admitted to the Academies receive a bachelors’ degree and are required to serve at least five years active duty and three years as inactive duty following graduation.
If you or a family member are interested in serving at a military academy, please complete an online application available on my website at marshall.senate.gov.
