NASHUA – Several high school students from Greater Nashua will get a college education in exchange for a military commitment after receiving nominations to one of the U.S. service academies.

U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, along with U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, all D-N.H., made the nominations for students to attend either the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Hassan’s website states, “These service academies are designed to put young men and women through extreme challenges to prepare them to serve the country, while also helping them reach their full potential. By considering applying to one of the service academies, you have started on your path to a courageous and honorable career and a high-quality education.”

“The future security of our country depends on the brave and selfless sacrifice of our young people, and I look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish,” Hassan said.

“These young men and women display remarkable patriotism and a strong sense of duty to serve our country. I’m excited for what lies ahead for them, and I know they will make our nation and state proud,” Kuster added.

To be considered, students must submit a personal statement explaining why they want to attend one of the service academies, along with two letters of recommendation and official high school transcripts. In order to qualify, the applications had to be submitted Oct. 12.

Souhegan High School senior Arielle Zlotnick is one of several from the Greater Nashua area to be nominated. Zlotnick has received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. In some common references, this institution is known simply as “Army.”

Arielle’s mother, Christina, said Arielle was awarded congressional nominations by Kuster, Shaheen and Hassan. Arielle is a three-season athlete and is the captain of the varsity cross-country and winter and spring track teams at Souhegan. Christina said Arielle will join the NCAA Division I cross-country and track teams at West Point.

When she’s not excelling on the courses she runs, she’s excelling in the classroom. Arielle is on Souhegan High School’s high honor roll and serves as the secretary and treasurer of the National Honor Society. Arielle is also a certified lifeguard and holds certifications in first aid, CPR and AED.

Christina said Arielle will report for Cadet Basic Training in July. Upon graduation from West Point, she will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and will serve five years on active duty.

“I’m humbled that Arielle was given this opportunity,” Christina said. “I know she’s tough mentally and physically, and strong academically, and I really believe she will be able to succeed in what is asked of her. I’m really excited about the opportunities this will afford her.”

Hearing she received nominations from two U.S. senators and a U.S. representative was amazing and gratifying, Arielle said.

“It is amazing to have this kind of support on the national level, and to know that this many people believe that I have what it takes to excel, not only at West Point and in the military, but in life beyond as well,” Arielle said.

She said she looks forward to serving her country after graduation.

“I want to serve in the U.S. military because I want to be part of a team, and to work for something bigger than myself. With everything my country and it’s people have done for me, I want to be able to give back to my country with all of the skills and knowledge I will have acquired throughout my time at West Point,” Arielle said. “I want to be able to lead people to success and to make my country and the world an even better place.”

In addition to Zlotnick, these students also received congressional nominations from Kuster, Hassan, Shaheen, or from more than one of them:

U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)

 Cassidy Dufour of Amherst

 Jacob Ricci of Brookline

 Daniel Hawkins of Bedford

U.S. Military Academy (West Point, New York)

 Adam Pagliarulo of Bedford

U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

 Joshua Calzadillas of Nashua

 Andre Laplante of Nashua

 Matthew Lashua of Nashua

 Jonathan Peters of Merrimack

 Owen MacMillan of Hollis

 Ryan Santoro of Nashua

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York)

 Joshua Cazadillas of Nashua

“Year after year, I am impressed by the spirit of patriotism that inspires so many young Granite Staters to apply to attend our country’s four military academies. This year’s nominees embody that spirit and have dedicated themselves to their studies in the pursuit of service to our nation,” Shaheen said.

Grace Pecci can be reached at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashua

telegraph.com.