Nine South Dakota Students Nominated by Rounds Starting at U.S. Service Academies This Fall

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that nine South Dakota students he nominated to the four U.S. Service Academies have accepted their offers to join the class of 2029 at their respective academies.

Rounds submitted three principal nominations and several more competitive nominations in fall 2024. In addition to the three principal nominees, Rounds may send up to 14 competitive nominees per academy for consideration by that academy. Each service academy admission board gives full and fair consideration to these nominees and determines final appointments.

“Congratulations to all of the South Dakota students who have accepted their offer to train at our U.S. Service Academies,” said Rounds. “It is an honor to have nominated some of South Dakota’s brightest young minds to attend the most elite educational institutions in the world. After receiving a top-notch education, these South Dakotans will serve our country as active-duty military members. We’re proud of these students and their desire to answer the call of duty to serve our nation. All of South Dakota is behind them every step of the way as they continue their education, serve their country and go into their careers with the U.S. military.”

The following students have accepted their offers to begin training this fall at their respective service academies:

U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs

^Lexi Brandt, Hill City

^Brody Weinmeister, Aberdeen

*Hollie Wise, Spearfish

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

*Rowdy Baldwin, Pierre

^Joseph Juenger, Rapid City

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point

^Paige Willnerd, Summerset

U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis

^Aubrey Fraasch, Milbank

^Dylan Frank, Custer

^Gabriel Reeve, Piedmont

*Denotes Principal Nomination from Rounds

^Denotes Competitive Nomination from Rounds

In addition, ^Maverick Sutton of Ellsworth AFB has received an offer to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Preparatory School beginning this fall.

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 academics. 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 the academies. Students applying for 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 2026-2027 (Class of 2030) should apply by October 10, 2025. Questions about the academy nomination application process can be directed to Rounds’ Rapid City office by calling (605) 343-5035 or by emailing Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov.

An informational packet and the application packet can be found on Rounds’ website at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations.

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