Two Whidbey Island students received top nominations to military academies this week from Congressman Rick Larsen.
Each year, Larsen picks three principal nominees to the military service academies among students in his district, which includes San Juan and Island counties, as well as the western parts of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. He also makes 24 other nominations to the academies after the principal ones.
“Each year I have the privilege of nominating exemplary young people from our community to attend a service academy, and each year, I am impressed with the breadth of academic and personal achievement of our students,” Larsen said in a press release. “I commend these bright young students for choosing to apply their talents at military academies and pledging service to our country.”
Zachary Johnson of Coupeville was chosen to be the principal nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy. An Oak Harbor High School student, Johnson is a member of the National Honor Society and is a battalion commander for the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. He also serves as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, practices karate and participated in the USA Junior Olympics in 2008.
Another Oak Harbor High School student, Marisa Sligh, was chosen to be the principal nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Sligh is also a member of the National Honor Society, has participated in varsity sports including cross country and golf, plays piccolo in the high school’s wind ensemble and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
“It means a lot to me,” Sligh said. “I’ve been working hard all my life, and when I got it, it just proved that hard work pays off in the end.”
Sligh said she grew up in a military environment, as her dad’s in the military, and she’s been living that lifestyle since she was little.
“I can’t imagine living a life without being surrounded in the military, and I want to give back to my country,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being able to serve my country and make my community proud and make my country proud, make my family proud.
“I can’t wait to leave a legacy.”
Also a principal nominee was Marysville student Nicholas Alonso, who was nominated for the U.S. Military Academy.
