Service Academy Nomination

PARKERSBURG - Three area students have been nominated to United States service academies.

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., both announced the three as part of 13 students statewide to be nominated. The process is highly competitive and the nominations are the first part in the process for appointment to military academies

"These 13 students exemplify the best our state has to offer," said McKinley. "Because of their hard work and commitment, they have earned this distinction. They have shown what type of leaders they will become. West Virginia continues to produce the next generation of leaders."

* Alexander Baumgartner of Parkersburg attends Parkersburg High School and ranks in the top one percent of his class. Baumgartner is a member of the Key Club. He's also a member of the cross country and soccer teams and is a Civil Air Patrol airman first class. Baumgartner was presented with the LSIC Award in 2012 for "empowering students to become responsible, productive citizens." He has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy.

"Alex is a sharp student who excels in his extracurricular activities," Rockefeller said. "He has all of the qualities I look for in students during the nomination process. I know he would make a phenomenal addition to the Air Force Academy."

Baumgartner is the son of Dale and Sarah Baumgartner of Parkersburg.