Maui Graduate Appointed to US Air Force Academy

Ryan-Aris Ramil

Maui High School graduate, Ryan-Aris Ramil has been appointed to the US Air Force Academy.  He is one of just 30 Hawaiʻi students who have been accepted into the US service academies.

An additional 13 have been appointed to the US service academy and civilian military preparatory schools.

The students and their parents were recognized at a reception hosted by the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi on June 1, 2016 at the Oʻahu Country Club.

From left to right: Erica Diego, Nikki Lum, Kevin Yoshimoto, Lindy Soukhaseum, Kiana Stewart, Denali Jackson, Ian Ramirez, Autumn Ollice, Noah Faurot, Andrew Kwong-Wright, Nathan Smoot, Brandee Schiller, Yuchen Li, Teresa Brady, Phoebe Kirk, Austin Faulkner, Sarina Wyrick, Joshua Souza, Suwen Sun, Alohi Gilman and Nathan Hishinuma

“Each year thousands of students, from across the country, who have demonstrated strong academic achievement, outstanding character and are committed to serving the nation apply to these prestigious military academies that have a limited number of available slots,” said David Carey, MAC chairman.

“This is one of the most diverse groups we have seen accepted from Hawaiʻi – they represents public, private and home schools across the state. We wish them all success as they enter their respective academies in the fall and would like to thank them for their commitment to serving our nation.”

The students were honored by members of the MAC, US Senator Mazie Hirono and alumni of US military academies as they prepare to attend US Military Academy (West Point), US Naval Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, US Merchant Marine Academy and US Air Force Academy, and the US Military Academy Preparatory School, US Naval Academy Preparatory School and US Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

The following is the list of students honored:

US Military Academy

· Eurica Diego, Kahuku High School 2016
· Denali Jackson, Kalaheo High School 2016
· Nikki Lum, Punahou School 2016
· George Nemeth, Punahou School 2016
· Nathan Smoot, Home School 2016
· Ian Ramirez, Punahou School 2016
· Brandon Rogers, Leilehua High School 2016
· Lindy Soukhaseum, Kahuku High School 2016
· Kiana Stewart, Punahou School 2016
· Darryl Vincent, Campbell High School 2016

US Air Force Academy

· Teresa Brady, Punahou School 2016
· Austin Faulkner, Moanalua High School 2015
· Noah Faurot, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, 2016
· Rose Fredericks, Home School 2016
· Nathan Hishinuma, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy 2016
· Maximillian Philson, Radford High School 2016
· Ryan-Aris Ramil, Maui High School 2016
· Joshua Souza, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, 2016
· Fred Susuico, U.S. Air Force
· Sabrina Wyrick, St. Joseph School 2015
· Kevin Yoshimoto, Punahou School 2016

US Naval Academy

· Alohi Gilman, Kahuku High School 2015
· David Kim, ʻIolani School 2015
· Phoebe Kirk, Sacred Hearts Academy 2016
· Andrew Kwong-Wright, Damien Memorial School 2016
· Autum Ollice, Radford High School 2016
· Suwen Sun, Roosevelt High School 2016

US Coast Guard Academy

· Yuchen Li, US Army
· Brandee Schiller, Mililani High School 2016

US Military Academy Preparatory School

· Kainalu Gandia, Kapaʻa High School 2016
· Devon Hartsell, Waimea High School 2016

US Naval Academy Preparatory School

· Katherine Holm, US Navy
· Alema Kapoi, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, 2016
· Nixon Keago, US Navy
· Kenoi-Kordell Makekau, ʻIolani School 2016
· Kevin Semma, US Navy

US Air Force Academy Preparatory School

· Caleb Chow, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, 2016
· Callan Medeiros, Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, 2016
· Sergei Scharer, Saint Louis School, 2016
· Maia Young, Waimea High School, 2016
· Micah Vannatta, ʻAiea 2016

In addition to the competitive nature of acceptance into these academies, Members of Congress nominate candidates to the US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy and US Merchant Marine Academy. These institutions prepare college-aged students to become officers of the US armed forces.

The Hawaiʻi Military Affairs Council, part of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, acts on behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi to advocate and liaise with the military. As a major economic generator for the state, the MAC supports efforts that will preserve the military’s role as a strategic headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region.

Comprised of business leaders and retired US military personnel, the organization also aims to bridge the military and the community, endorse the needs of Hawaiʻi-based military commands, and attract public-private ventures with the military.