CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., announced the nomination of 39 students from across the state for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Rockefeller's nomination is the first step in the highly competitive process for receiving an appointment to one of the four academies. A nomination does not guarantee appointment. Following is a list of the nominations and their appointments:

Nominees to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.:

Emily McKinney, daughter of Kevin and Rachel McKinney of Peterstown, James Monroe High School.

Kelsie Burns, daughter of Robert and Catherine Burns of Huntington, Huntington High School.

Derek Hamman, son of David and the late Debra Hamman, of Slatyfork, Pocahontas County High School.

Cameron Davis, son of Morris and Sonja Davis of Pineville, Westside High School.

Nathaniel Haikal, son of Dr. Lee and Jane Haikal of Huntington, Huntington High School.

Samantha Harris, daughter of Calvin and Cynthia Harris of Charleston, Charleston Catholic High School. She was also nominated for appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.  

Anna Stevens, daughter of Glenn II and Amanda Stevens of Inwood, Musselman High School.

Nicholas Musgrave, son of Dale and Jerelyn Musgrave of Parkersburg, Parkersburg High School.

Katherine Warner, daughter of Ben Warner and Julie Knotts, both of Morgantown, University High School.

William Mohr, son of Robert and Deborah Mohr of Petersburg (Petersburg High School)

Nominees to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Christian Smith, son of Lesley Lundell Smith of South Charleston, homeschool student.

David Jonah Sneeringer, son of Timothy and Denise Sneeringer of Scott Depot, Winfield High School.

Luisa Holland, daughter of George and Rocchina Holland of Harpers Ferry, Jefferson High School.

Joseph Gentile, son of David and Ann Gentile of Martinsburg, Hedgesville High School.

 Forrest Welsh, son of Captain Thomas and Susan Welsh of Glen Dale, currently stationed at APO/AE, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, W.T. Sampson Elementary/High School)

 Ryan Pritchard, son of Ronald and Patricia Pritchard of Washington, Parkersburg South High School.

 Jack DeVault, son of Jarrod and Wendy DeVault of Fairmont, East Fairmont High School.

Mason Winkie, son of Kenneth and Leslie Winkie of Bridgeport, Bridgeport High School.

Caleb Moore, son of Dwight and Tina Moore of West Union, Doddridge County High School.

Kaitlyn Jan, daughter of Kolin and Pamela Jan of Ridgeley, Frankfort High School.

Nominees to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Caleb Barnette, son of Scott and Robin Barnette of Charleston, George Washington High School.

Christopher Marcum, son of Barry Marcum of Williamson, and Carla Duty of Madison, Scott High School.

Quentin Buckley, son of Charles and Kathy Buckley of Hurricane, Poca High School.

Alexander Brown, son of Robert and Ann Brown of Martinsburg, Martinsburg High School.

Ryan Graf, son of Michael and Diane Graf of Charles Town, Jefferson High School.

Natalie Reinford, daughter of John Reinford and Michele Smith, of Summit Point, Washington High School.

Skyler Terrell, son of Shane Terrell and Andrea Ballengee of Vienna, Parkersburg High School.

Andrew Bruffy, son of David Bruffy and Susan Fair, both of Morgantown, Morgantown High School.

Christopher Unger, son of Robert and Cindi Unger of Wheeling, and Great Falls, Va., Langley High School.

Samantha Harris, daughter of Calvin and Cynthia Harris of Charleston, Charleston Catholic High School. She was also nominated for appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Nominees to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.:

Charles Hageboeck, son of Charles and Samantha Hageboeck of Charleston, George Washington High School.

Conner O'Donnell, son of William and Terrie O'Donnell of Morgantown, Morgantown High School.

Kyler Martin, son of Gary and Michelle Martin of Hedgesville, Hedgesville High School.

John Bryant, son of Michael and Kelle Bryant of Harpers Ferry, Jefferson High School.

Travis Stely, son of Edward and Amy Stely of Martinsburg, Martinsburg High School.

Kimberly Smith, daughter of Charles and Gudelia Smith of Harpers Ferry, Jefferson High School.

Alexander Reimer, son of Stanley and Doris Reimer of Kearneysville, Martinsburg High School.

William Wheatley Jr., son of William and Kimberly Wheatley of Harpers Ferry, Washington High School.

Matthew Hobbs, son of Paul and Stacey Hobbs of Harpers Ferry, Jefferson High School.

Sean Dennison, son of Anthony and Sandra Dennison of Jane Lew, homeschool.