WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced the names of three Maine students who have been accepted to U.S. military academies.

Christopher Rankin of Holden has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Alicia Fogarty of Rockland and Matthew Osgood of Easton have been accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“To be accepted to attend on of our service academies is a great honor,” said Collins, who emphasized that students earn the achievement through records of strong scholarship, leadership and character.

In order to be considered for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must have a nomination from an authorized nominating source, which includes members of Congress. Congressional nominations account for three-fourths of all academy appointments.

Rankin, Fogarty and Easton were nominated by Collins in December 2000.