COLORADO SPRINGS — For many high school students, figuring out their plans after graduation can be a cause of anxiety and excitement. Saturday morning, 66 families packed the National WWII Aviation Museum to celebrate their students receiving nominations from Representative Doug Lamborn (R) to U.S. Service Academies.
The 66 students were selected out of a pool of 112 applicants. All of the students coming from El Paso, Teller, Park, Fremont, and Chaffee counties.
"These numbers are some of the highest in the country," Lamborn said, "it shows that we have a great love for the military here in the 5th congressional district it shows that we have a lot of parents and family members who are role models that the young men and women grew up saying I want to imitate that person."
20 of the students won't be traveling too far from home as they've received nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
However, students like Wesley Parker will be traveling far from home after high school. Parker, a student at Vista Ridge High School received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
"It's a great honor," said Parker, who said he's excited to attend the school. His father, Jason, among the dozens of parents beaming with pride at Saturday's ceremony.
"It's an honor to be the dad of a naval academy nominee," said Parker, "Wesley works incredibly hard, Eagle Scout, one of the top students in his class," said Park.
