Tester nominates students to prestigious military service academies

Note: This information was provided by the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced Wednesday he is nominating 20 students including from Blaine and Hill counties to be admitted into one of the country’s prestigious military service academies.

Harlem High School student Michael King and Havre High School students Riley Pleninger and Orion Thivierge are among the sudents Tester nominated based on their academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and commitment to serving and leading in the United States military. To attend the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, or Merchant Marine Academies, a student must be nominated by a member of Congress.

“As Montana’s senior senator, I’m proud to nominate our state’s gifted young leaders to the country’s most prestigious military academies,” Tester said. “These top-tier students have shown an unmatched work ethic and dedication to serving their country and communities time and time again. Montana’s students are some of the best this country has to offer, and I’m looking forward to watching them become the next generation of America’s military leadership.”

Harlem High student King is nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. King is a participant of the Montana Upward Bound program and a member of National Honor Society at Harlem High School. He is also a part of the football, wrestling, and track and field team, and has received an Academic All State award as part of the wrestling team.

Riley Plenninger, nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, is the student body vice president at Havre High School and is a member of Student Congress, and National Honor Society. He is also varsity member of the football, wrestling, and cross country team who has received Academic Letters and Academic All State for all the athletic activities he’s involved in.

Orion Thivierge, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, is a Student Council leader at Havre High School, where is the student body secretary, captain of the football and wrestling team, a track and field athlete, and a member of the National Honor Society. He has received the Presidential Education Award and is in the top 10 of his graduating class.