Johnson Announces Military Service Academy Appointments

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) announced eight Service Academy appointments of South Dakota students and residents. They will begin their military training at their respective schools this summer. The Congressman nominated each of these students in December 2020 and they recently accepted their appointments.

"One of the best parts of my job is nominating South Dakota's best and brightest, in hopes they'll go on to serve our country at one of our nation's esteemed military academies," saidJohnson. "These students are exceptional and their willingness to dedicate their lives to defending America's freedom is honorable. I know they will all represent South Dakota well at their respective institutions."

2021 South Dakota Service Academy Appointees:

Mitchell Walker – West Point

Mitchell Walker is a resident of Brandon, South Dakota, and attends Sioux Falls Christian High School. Mitchell is a four-year varsity football and track athlete. He is also a JROTC member and has earned numerous national awards, including American Legion Medal for Scholastic and Military Excellence. Since 2014, Mitchell has been running his own business providing pet and yard services in his neighborhood. Mitchell has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy.

Adelaide Crow – West Point

Coming from a military family, Adelaide Crow currently resides in New York and maintains residency in Rapid City, South Dakota. Adelaide was inspired to serve in the military by her father and brothers Army service. Adelaide is involved in cross country, Girl Scouts, alpine skiing, and JROTC. She has earned numerous JROTC awards and served as Battalion Commander of the JROTC Buffalo Soldier Battalion. She is also an active volunteer at her local food pantry and with JCORPS, teaching middle schoolers about JROTC. Adelaide has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy, where she will join her brother who Representative Johnson nominated in 2020.

Robert O'Brien – West Point

Coming from an active military family, Robert O'Brien currently resides in Leesburg, Virginia. Robert is a varsity tennis player, vice president of Latin Club, and is the founder and president of Dungeons & Dragons club. Outside of school, Robert regularly volunteers to pick up trash at his local parks and works part-time as a salesclerk at his local grocery store. Robert has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy where he will be continuing an eight-generation tradition in his family to serve in the Army.

Grace Blote – Naval Academy

Grace Blote is a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota, and attends St. Thomas More High School. Grace is team captain of her varsity soccer team and student council president. She is also involved in cross country, track, and math team. Over the last two years, Grace has regularly volunteered at Health Concepts, a local medical clinic. Grace attended a virtual summer seminar through the Naval Academy and has accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Camden Johnson – Naval Academy

Camden Johnson is a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and attends O'Gorman High School. He is involved in jazz band, Student Ambassadors, and serves as Student Council President. Camden also plays baseball and helped his team to two state championships. Outside of school, Camden works part-time as a butcher assistant and is an open water certified scuba diver. Camden has accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Lauren Letner – Naval Academy

Lauren is a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota, and attends Stevens High School. Lauren is a member of the varsity swim team and competes in CrossFit. She volunteers as a math tutor and works as a swim instructor at Rapid City Swim Center. Lauren is also a member of National Honor Society and was accepted into the Naval Academy's 2020 Summer Seminar program. Lauren has accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Amber Kelly – Naval Academy

Amber Kelly is a resident of Tea, South Dakota and graduated from Tea High School in 2020. This past year, Amber attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Rhode Island. Throughout high school, Amber participated in softball, marching band, debate team, and was a member of the cheerleading squad. Outside of school, she has worked as a swim instructor and childcare provider. Amber also participated in both the Naval Academy's Summer Seminar and STEM programs. Amber has accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Caden Tegethoff – Air Force Academy

Caden is a resident of Platte, South Dakota and graduated from Platte-Geddes High School in 2020. In high school, Caden was a four-year varsity cross country and track runner. He was also involved in theatre, student council, and president of National Honor Society. Caden actively volunteered with Pals, a youth mentor program in his hometown. With a Falcon Foundation Scholarship designed for students who don't receive an immediate appointment to the Air Force Academy, Caden studied for a semester at civilian Northwestern Preparatory School and is currently studying math and data science at Augustana. This year he accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

Garrett Gallaher – Air Force Academy

Coming from a military family, Garrett Gallaher currently resides in Annapolis, Maryland, and maintains residency in Sioux Falls. He is a cross country and track runner, and patriciates in Wounded Warriors club and rocket club. Garrett's passion for STEM led to an internship with Washington College, where he worked on prototyping autonomous surface kayaks. He was also given the opportunity to assist with a research project in Alaska that is funded by the Department of Defense. Garrett has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

Brandon Lara – Air Force Academy

Brandon Lara enlisted in the Air Force in 2019 and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base as a B-1B Electronic Warfare Specialist. For the 2020-2021 school year, Brandon was at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School where he was selected as Charlie Squadron's first sergeant position. In this role, Brandon lead 76 Cadet Candidates, and organized morale and welfare events for his fellow peers. He has also volunteered with various local agencies, including Feeding South Dakota. Brandon has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.