Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies for 2023-2024 School Year
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated students for appointments to the nation’s service academies.
Rounds nominated Kasey Broers of Pierre as his top nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.
“It’s an honor to nominate our nation’s future military leaders to U.S. service academies,” said Rounds. “The U.S. service academies are among the most elite educational institutions in the world. After receiving a top-notch education, these South Dakotans will courageously serve our country as active-duty military members. We’re proud of Kasey, Ethan and Dustin for their desire to answer the call of duty to serve our nation.”
"I am extremely fortunate and thankful to be selected for Senator Rounds’ USNA principal nomination,” said Kasey Broers. “It is an honor and a dream come true. I would like to thank Senator Rounds and his committee for my selection as well as my family and friends for their continual support. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve my country as an officer in our great military."
“I have always wanted to devote myself to self improvement,” said Ethan Fergel. “West Point will help me to foster that within me to reach new heights as a leader while serving my country in the Army. I am elated to have the opportunity to serve the United States at West Point.”
“I am beyond thankful to receive a principal nomination from Senator Rounds to the United States Air Force Academy,” said Dustin Hermansen. “This is a great honor for not only me and my family, but also the entire Aberdeen community. Ever since I served as a Senate Page in Washington D.C. this past summer, attending a service academy has been my primary goal. I am thankful for the teachers and coaches of the Aberdeen Public School District who have helped me get to this stage in my life, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.”
Kasey Broers of Pierre – Principal Nominee, U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)
Kasey Broers is the son of John and Michelle Broers of Pierre, South Dakota. A senior at T.F. Riggs High School, Kasey is a member of the varsity soccer team and the Post 8 American Legion baseball team. He is involved in Gov 2 Gov, where he mentors underclassmen, and volunteers at Feeding South Dakota. Kasey also serves as treasurer of the National Honor Society and holds a 4.0 GPA.
Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen – Principal Nominee, U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
Ethan Fergel is the son of Brenda Steiger of Aberdeen, South Dakota. A senior at Aberdeen Central High School, Ethan participates in track, hockey and golf. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. Additionally, Ethan is a volunteer math tutor and Eagle Scout who holds a 3.98 GPA.
Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen – Principal Nominee, U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)
Dustin Hermansen is the son of Charles and Jill Hermansen of Aberdeen, South Dakota. A senior at Aberdeen Central High School, Dustin is captain of the varsity football team and president of the National Honor Society. He is involved in Boys Nation, Speech and Debate, Future Business Leaders of America and Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout Award in 2020. Dustin is also a Sunday school teacher and holds a 3.99 GPA.
In addition to the top candidate, Rounds may send up to nine competitive candidates per academy for consideration by that academy. Rounds has selected the students listed below to receive a competitive nomination. Each service academy admission board gives full and fair consideration to these nominees and will determine final appointments.
U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)
- Kasey Broers of Pierre, SD – Principal
- Wilson Miller of Rapid City, SD – Competitive
- Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive
- Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive
- Keegan Thomas of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive
- Daniel Laufman of Mitchell, SD – Competitive
- Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive
U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
- Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen, SD – Principal
- Levi Scepaniak of Aberdeen, SD – Competitive
- Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive
- Kasey Broers of Pierre, SD – Competitive w/LOA
- Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive
- Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive
U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs)
- Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen, SD – Principal
- Anders Enga of Mitchell, SD – Competitive
- Maya Lee of Dell Rapids, SD – Competitive
- Jayda McNabb of Rapid City, SD – Competitive
- Trason Oehme of Brandon, SD – Competitive
- Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive
- Daniel Laufman of Mitchell, SD – Competitive
- Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive
- Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen, SD – Competitive
- Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive
Students interested in attending a service academy go through a rigorous application process. Because the academies are highly competitive, students must meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical fitness, character and scholarship. The young people joining the military directly from the academies are among the highest caliber our country has to offer, which is a result of the challenging training and education they received at U.S. service academies. Students applying for service academies are required to receive a Congressional nomination as part of the application process. Those appointed receive a scholarship and military appointment and are required to serve in the military for at least five years upon graduation.
Individuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination for academic year 2024-2025 (Class of 2028) should apply by October 1, 2023. Questions about the academy nomination application process can be directed to Rounds’ Sioux Falls office by calling (605) 336-0486 or by emailing Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov. An informational packet and the application packet can be found on Senator Rounds’ website at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations.
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