Tuberville Announces 21 Alabamians Appointed to U.S. Service Academies for Class of 2029

May 30, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced 21 Alabamians have accepted their appointment to a U.S. service academy. Senator Tuberville nominated these students to represent Alabama in the class of 2029 at one of the four service academies: the United States Air Force Academy, Military Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and Naval Academy. This is Senator Tuberville's fourth round of appointments since assuming office and first group of appointments since being named to serve on the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Air Force by President Trump earlier this year.

"America's national security depends on brave young men and women who answer the call to serve in our armed forces," said Senator Tuberville. "I couldn't be more proud that Alabama will be well-represented in our military service academies for the Class of 2029. Receiving an appointment to one of these academies requires hard work, discipline, and determination, and I'm confident these students will carry these values with them to our service academies. It was an honor to nominate these Alabamians for an appointment, and I have no doubt that they'll continue to make our state and country proud."

A complete list of the appointees can be found below.

United States Naval Academy:

Joshua Robert DeFour: Madison, AL; Sparkman High School; son of Robert and Mary DeFour

Hagen Kristopher Holley: Hoover, AL; Spain Park High School; son of Steve and Ramona Holley

Natalie Holland McCabe: Tuscumbia, AL; Muscle Shoals High School; daughter of Trip and Jill McCabe

Millicent Elizabeth McCormick: Pelham, AL; Pelham High School; daughter of Ronald and Amanda McCormick

Ellen Mary Vegerita: Brownsboro, AL; Huntsville High School; daughter of Frank and Christian Vegerita

Madison Lydia Walz: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Paul and Heather Walz

George Austin Wright: Demopolis, AL; Demopolis High School; son of Hess and Carrie Wright

United States Military Academy:

Matthew James Buhl: Harvest, AL; Westminster Christian Academy; son of Joshua and Rachel Buhl

Jackson Best Cook: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Jackson and Catherine Cook

Cooper Daniel Gillis: Birmingham, AL; Homewood High School; son of Brent and Brooke Gillis

Aiden Elliot Harkey: Dothan, AL; Slocomb High School; son of Kathi Crick

Daniel Clark Hill II: Daphne, AL; Daphne High School; son of Daniel and Linda Kay Hill

Charles Hillman Jacobs III: Decatur, AL; Providence Classical School; son of Charles and Christy Jacobs

Aaron Jacob Lee: Orange Beach, AL; Plano West Senior High (TX); son of Larry and Heidi Lee

William McCarton Mitchell: Huntsville, AL; Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering; son of Thomas and Irene Mitchell

Thomas B. Sigler: Madison, AL; Bob Jones High School; son of Jason and Brooke Sigler

Emily Chambers Spooner: Vestavia Hills, AL; Vestavia Hills High School; daughter of Alan and Melanie Spooner

United States Air Force Academy:

John David Dallas: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; son of Doug and Heather Dallas

Kenneth Lee Jimmerson Jr.: Montgomery, AL; Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School; son of Kenneth Sr. and Michelle Jimmerson

Jack Messervy: Owens Cross Roads, AL; Huntsville High School; son of Chris and Kim Messervy

Richard Dean Rutledge III: Albertville, AL; Plainview High School; son of Richard D. Rutledge II and Susan Rutledge

Four students also received scholarships to respective Academy Preparatory Schools:

Maggie Christine Mae Ingram; Marion Military Institute; McCalla, AL; Heritage Christian Academy; daughter of Jason and Cheryl Ingram

Judd Johnston Lunsford; Marion Military Institute; Huntsville, AL; Randolph High School; son of Bill and Ingrid Lunsford

Stanley Hawkins McConnell Jr.; Marion Military Institute; Mobile, AL; UMS-Wright Preparatory School; son of Stan and Anna McConnell

Cammi Emma Tillery; USMA Prep School; Enterprise, AL; Enterprise High School; daughter of Robert and Heidi Tillery

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.