Norton Announces Extension of Service Academy Deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the application deadline for nominations to the Service Academies has been extended for two more weeks, from November 3 to November 17, for independent and public high school seniors in the District of Columbia.

"We have received impressive responses from potential nominees, but would like to fill as many of our slots as possible and therefore have extended the deadline before moving forward with selections," Norton said.

Each year, Norton nominates high school seniors from D.C. public and independent high schools to the four United States Service Academies: the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. Successful candidates, 17 to 23 years of age, receive a tuition-free college education, room and board, health and dental coverage, plus a monthly stipend. Academy graduates become commissioned officers with a five year active duty commitment.

Norton, who oversees of the nomination process, holds a Service Academy College Fair in the District each year during the summer to provide information about the academies, and hosts a celebration for those selected for admission into the Service Academies after nominations end in the spring. This year, Norton held her annual Service Academy College Fair at her alma mater, Dunbar High School, to recruit future applicants to the service academies and to present her 2014 nominees to the service academies. Anthony Bertram Clay, Jr., McKinley Tech High School alumnus, who graduated that spring from the U.S. Naval Academy, was the featured speaker. He spoke about his experience transitioning from a D.C. high school to a physically and academically rigorous service academy.

Students who wish to submit within the new deadline for 2015 nominations are urged to view the fact sheet and application found here, and call or contact Cartwright Moore in Congresswoman Norton's District Office at (202) 408-9041 for more information.