WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced the nomination of the following students to U.S. military service academies:

. Andrew Pfeiffer of China to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.;

. George “Billy” Hall V of Whitefield to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.;

. James Ney III of South Paris to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.;

. Matthew Bolduc of Oakland to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;

. Benjamin Buxton of Augusta to the U.S. Air Force Academy;

. Shaun MacHaffie of Dresden to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.

“A nomination to one of our service academies is a great honor,” said Collins, “and I’m proud to be able to bestow this honor on these impressive students. They’ve earned their nominations through records of strong scholarship, leadership and character.”

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