Seniors Receive Congressional Nominations to USNA & USMA

On February 1, U.S. Representative Ted Budd announced the congressional nominations of 18 area students from North Carolina’s 13th district to the United States service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.

“I am proud of all the dedicated young leaders in North Carolina who are committed to serving their country,” said Congressman Budd, “It is my honor to recommend this extraordinary group of students from the 13th District to represent our district at our nation’s service academies. These young men and women exemplify the character that represents North Carolina and I am pleased to nominate them.”

An Extraordinary Honor

We are honored and blessed to be able to share with you that Maddie Cashion and John Linton, members of Wesleyan’s Class of 2019, were the recipients of two of these congressional nominations. Maddie, the daughter of Jake and Brooke Cashion, was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and John, son of Wilbur and Lori Linton, to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point).

“To say this is an honor is really an understatement,” said Dr. Rob Brown, “These nominations are a phenomenal distinction and blessing that speak to the dedication of this young man and woman who have committed themselves to excellence. To have Maddie and John recognized beyond the walls of Wesleyan in this way is just awesome. We are so proud of them and grateful to the Lord for this enormous blessing for them and their families.”  

A congressional nomination is not only an extraordinary commendation, but it also opens the door for admissions consideration of the nominee by its respective service academy. After a rigorous admissions review, said nominee may then be accepted to their desired service academy. At that point, the nominee becomes an appointee. The USNA and the USMA’s acceptance rate is a selective 8% and 10%, respectively. And for good reason. As part of their acceptance, each appointee commits to serving in their corresponding arm of the military for five years post-graduation.

More Great News
We are thrilled to also share with you that Maddie’s admissions review is now complete, and on Tuesday of this week, she received a call from Congressman Ted Budd to inform her that she had received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy for the Class of 2022. Congratulations to Maddie and the entire Cashion family!!

John’s admissions review to the USMA continues to move forward and he anticipates a response in the coming months. High School Principal Tim Rickman added, “To have our very own Maddie Cashion and John Linton receive these distinctions to the very institutions that are designed to prepare the future leaders of this great nation brings a sense of pride to our heart and thankfulness to our Lord. With anticipation, we support John as he continues in the process. May God richly bless both of them as they look to the future and to what God has in store for them.”

We ask you to commit to pray for both Maddie and John, and their families, as God reveals the next steps for each of them in this exciting journey.

WCA Administration