In nine months, another class of students will graduate from Lawrence County schools and, as this school year progresses, many will be making plans for their careers and life beyond high school.

The U.S. service academies provide a chance for students to get a top education, while experiencing a military environment. Four full-year scholarships are offered at the academies, representing the branches of the armed services, at The U.S. Military Academy (Army) in West Point, New York, The U.S. Naval Academy (Navy/Marine Corps) in Annapolis, Maryland, The U.S. Air Force Academy (Air Force) in Colorado Springs, Colorado; The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Coast Guard) in New London, Connecticut.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Admission criteria is based on high school academic performance, SAT and ACT scores, athletics and extracurricular activities, as well as leadership skills and community involvement projects.

A letter of recommendation from a member of Congress is required for all but the Coast Guard Academy.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has announced that his office will nominate 10 students for the academies and his office is taking applications until Sept. 22. The same deadline applies to the office of U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, whose office said he will be coordinating with Brown’s office on nominations.

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, will also be making nominations. Ben Keeler, the communications director for his office, says Johnson’s deadline is Oct. 13 and that information can be found on the congressman’s website. He said questions can be directed to Johnson’s Cambridge office.

Keeler said applicants must apply to an academy, as well as for a recommendation from a member of Congress.

The academies offer an opportunity for Ohio students, though competition to get in can be intense.

We encourage interested students to start the application process by contacting the offices of Brown, Johnson, or Portman for more information on the program.