By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Several Shelby County students could be heading to one of the nation’s military academies after U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer recently nominated the students for the honor.

Palmer honored 23 students – many of them from Shelby County – during a recent ceremony in the nation’s capital. While there, the students met with Palmer and members of the 6^th Congressional District nomination selection committee.

“I’m grateful to these young men and women for their sincere desire to serve their country,’’ Palmer wrote in a statement. “We need a great group of young men and women who want to serve in our armed services. We need people of character and of courage who have a vision for our country. I think we have that in this group.”

Each of the students received nominations to attend one of the U.S. military academies, which includes the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Local students nominated to attend the military academies are Tanner Carter from Shelby County High School, Brooks Garrett from Evangel Classical Christian School in Alabaster, John Goolsby from Thompson High School, Carter Bankston from Briarwood Christian School and Gavin Allen from Spain Park High School.

Also nominated were Hunter Holstad from Oak Mountain High School, John Lusk from Westminster at Oak Mountain Grace Endfinger from Briarwood Christian, Marc Newton from Briarwood Christian School, Ford Patronas from Spain Park High School, Julia Buckner from Oak Mountain High School and Chelsea High School alumni David Mock, who currently is attending Auburn University.

Representatives from each of the nation’s congressional districts regularly nominate students to attend military academies based on the students’ academic achievements, community and school involvement, leadership qualities and athletic achievements.