Guidance Counselor Susan Stonner and senior, Tyler Niemeier, reviews a recommendation letter for the Naval Academy. Staff photo by Amenda Alexander [Click to enlarge]

U. S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson and members of Congress are preparing to accept applications of students to be nominated to the four armed forces academies.

"I know there are many young men and women in Southern Missouri who would make great leaders in the uniforms of our country's armed forces," Emerson said.

"I would invite them to learn about the admissions process at the academies by contacting my office and by talking to their guidance counselors."

The four armed services academies, West Point in New York (U.S. Army), the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland (U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corp), the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado (U.S. Air Force), and the Merchant Marine Academy in New York (U.S. Merchant Marine) offer a strong college learning experience combined with personal betterment and service to the United States.

For students determined to attend one of the academies it is a long process, but still a worthwhile experience for the students not accepted.

If accepted, the student will be notified by the academy to which they applied.

According to Kennett High School Guidance Counselor Susan Stonner, the school assists the students when they apply by writing a letter of recommendation and sending the student's transcripts and grade point averages to the office of Jo Ann Emerson.

"I had one student, Tyler Niemeier, a senior, to apply this year who applied to the U. S. Naval Academy in Maryland," Stonner said.

"I am very proud of Tyler, he was chosen as a delegate to Missouri Boys' State, was Co-Captain of the Varsity Golf Team, Vice President of the Alpha and Omega (a Christian organization), member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of Drug Free Teens and a member of the Spanish Club."

Niemeier is the son of Donna and Robert Gill of Kennett, Mo., and Mark and Debbie Niemeier of Paragould, Ark.

According to Donna Gill, "Tyler visited the Naval Station in Tenn. with his father and applied for the summer training session and was accepted."

"Tyler attended the six day summer training session and workshops at the Naval Academy this summer. He even trained at the Chesapeake Bay area."

"For Tyler, this was the beginning of the process of being accepted to the academy,"

said Donna Gill.

"I feel it is a great honor, to apply to the Naval Academy," Tyler Niemeier said.

"If accepted, after graduation, I plan to join the Navy, work in intelligence, and someday be a battleship captain. I would like to make the Navy my career."

For more information, interested students can contact Darren Lingle, in Emerson's Rolla office, at (573) 364-2455. An information packet with deadlines and a formal application will be sent to the students.