WASHINGTON - Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., has given "principal nominations" to four North Dakota students for appointment to U.S. military service academies in 2008.

The four students receiving Dorgan's principal nominations, upon successful completion of a final physical and medical examination, will receive four-year, tuition-free appointments to their selected military academies - the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., or the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dorgan also nominated 14 other North Dakota students to enter a competitive national pool for any additional slots that are available at the military academies.

Dorgan's four principal nominees are:

* Alex Malm, a senior at St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is the son of Mark and Sharon Malm, of Bismarck.

* Angela Beaton, a senior at Red River High School in Grand Forks, has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. She is the daughter of Bill and Dyana Beaton, of Grand Forks.

* David Samson, of Park River, has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. He is attending the Naval preparatory school in New Jersey and is the son of Paul and Colleen Samson, of Park River.

* Benjamin Oehlke, a senior at Divide County High School in Crosby, has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the son of Shawn and Esther Oehlke, of Crosby.

Dorgan's other 14 nominees will compete in a national selection process, which will be finished in the spring of 2008. These nominations are listed below.

To West Point: Matthew Riopelle, son of Joseph and Dorothy Riopelle, of Fargo; Stuart Nygard, son of Todd and Laura Nygard, of Williston; Joshua Roberts, son of the late James and Betty Roberts, of Grand Forks; Justin Schumacher, son of Marlene and Peggy Schumacher, of West Fargo; Adam Solar, son of Robert and Penny Solar, of Minot; and Erik Volk, son of Rick and Margaret Volk, of Hazen.

Naval Academy: Christopher Crowe II, son of Christopher and Pauline Crowe, of Fargo; Kayla Roemmich, the daughter of Ross and Monica Roemmich, of Bottineau; Devany Schulz, daughter of Gregory and Sheri Schulz, of Davenport; and Isaac Wilson, son of Connie and Darren Wilson, of Minot.

Air Force Academy: Jessica Baer, daughter of Bruce and Mary Baer, of Belfield; Edward Keller, son of Ed and Kimberlee Keller, of Minot; Derek Schumacher, son of Donald and Marlys Schumacher, of Minot; and Coraley Wolff, daughter of Corey and Johnetta Wolff, of Watford City.