Tommy Tuberville announces Service Academy appointments
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
