Several local high school students are among the nominees this year to U.S. military academies, U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins said in a joint release Thursday.

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes members of Congress.

Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination.

"We are always proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine students to our nation's distinguished service academies," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.

"The young people we have nominated this year have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character."

The following students from central Maine have received nominations as candidates to the military academies from Sens. Snowe and Collins:

United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.:
Nathan A. Davis, of Liberty, Mount View High School
David Heikkila, of Vassalboro, Erskine Academy

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Nathan A. Davis, of Liberty, Mount View High School
Luke J. Richardson, of Hartland, Hebron School in India

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
Zachary A. Hann, of Benton, Lawrence High School
Kevin Lees, of Vassalboro, Erskine Academy
Kevin Martin, of Winslow, Winslow High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.
Kevin Lees, of Vassalboro, Erskine Academy