LAHAINA – U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono recently announced her Class of 2020 nominations to U.S. Service Academies.

On Maui, Lahainaluna High School student Dean Kazuyuki Omura was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

In addition, Baldwin High School student Aleksander Grant Asayo Paet was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy, and Baldwin student Benjamin Maurice Wuthrich was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. (Hirono noted that Wuthrich is a strong student who qualified for three service academies, and he demonstrated a willingness to attend any one of the three institutions.)

Sen. Hirono nominated 46 Hawaii students to the U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2020.

The students’ applications are now being considered by the four academies – U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – for final selections. Nomination does not guarantee enrollment into the service academy.

“I commend these students for their years of study, hard work and dedication, as they represent the highest caliber of young leaders the State of Hawaii has to offer. These young men and women are exceptional individuals with records of outstanding academic achievement, community involvement, physical fitness and personal character,” said Hirono.

“I am proud to submit this year’s list of nominees to our military service academies and wish these young adults the best in the ongoing pursuit of their academic and career goals. I appreciate their commitment of service to our nation.”

U.S. senators and representatives submit nominations to the four service academies.

Each academy’s director of admissions then selects from the submitted lists of nominees, who are measured on their scholastic achievement, leadership experience, school involvement, athletic and extra-curricular activities, community contributions, and volunteer or employment experiences.

Omura has earned Honor Roll (3.5 to 3.99 grade point average) marks. His extracurricular activities include serving on the Civil Air Patrol, volunteering at the Maui Matsuri event, and playing on the Lahainaluna High School varsity soccer, cross country and track and field teams.