Senator Tommy Tuberville announced twelve Alabama students who accepted their appointments to a U.S. service academy, along with one student who received a coveted Falcon Foundation scholarship. The Falcon Foundation is a non-profit foundation that provides scholarships to colleges or preparatory schools for motivated young people seeking admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) and a career in the Air Force. Selection for these scholarships is limited, with only a maximum of 100 scholarships being awarded each year.
These students were nominated by Tuberville to represent Alabama in the class of 2026 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 first group of U.S. service academy appointments since assuming office.
“These exceptional young Alabamians’ desire to serve ensures America’s military remains the strongest fighting force in the world.” commented Tuberville. “Receiving an appointment to one of these military institutions is a great honor that requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. I am proud of their determination to reach this point and know they will continue to make our state and country proud.”
U.S. service academies provide students wishing to serve our country’s military with the opportunity to serve while obtaining higher education. Service academy appointees go through an extensive process to receive a nomination. Applicants complete the required ACT and SAT exams, and provide letters of recommendation, a school transcript, along with the required application form. Upon graduation, students must commit to five years of active duty.
A complete list of appointees can be found below.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Charles C. Heidepriem
- Hometown: Birmingham
- Parent: Suzanne Heidepriem
- School: Briarwood Christian School
Joseph Shearer
- Hometown: Heflin
- Parents: April Marie Shearer and Joseph Hollis Jr.
- School: Ranburne High School
Walker Zapp
- Hometown: Auburn
- Parents: Justin and Kelly Zapp
- School: Auburn High School
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
Jacob Fairbairn
- Hometown: Birmingham, AL
- Parents: Sherri Fairbairn
- School: Marion Military Institute
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY
Gavin Comulada
· Hometown: Huntsville
· Parents: Oscar and Mary Elizabeth Comulada
· School: Whitesburg Christian Academy
Ian Howell
· Hometown: Northport
· Parents: Paul and Dianna Howell
· School: Pelham High School
Cooper Shafer
· Hometown: Tuscaloosa
· Parents: Brian Shafer
· School: American Christian Academy
Wesley Yeatman
· Hometown: Birmingham, AL
· Parents: James and Donna Yeatman
· School: Oak Mountain High School
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
James Latona
- Hometown: Alabaster
- Parents: Norman and Shannon Latona
- School: Thompson High School
Robert “Will” Stallworth
- Hometown: Hoover
- Parents: Rob and Heather Stallworth
- School: Hoover High School
Clark Turner
- Hometown: Mobile
- Parents: John and Eran Clark Turner
- School: UMS-Wright Preparatory School
Kaili Williams
- Hometown: Columbiana
- Parents: Rick and Leigh Williams
- School: Shelby County High School
FALCON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Henry Rasmussen
- Hometown: Montgomery
- Parents: Reid and Lori Rasmussen
- School: St. James School
