Three Leelanau students have received nominations to the military academies of their choice from U.S. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Midland).

Eric Freedman, spokesman for Camp’s office, confirmed Wednesday that Jacob Helmka, Anthony Hang and Jason Steimel had received nominations as requested following a lengthy review process.

Helmka, son of Keith and Wendy Helmka of Solon Township, learned of his nomination the Saturday preceding Christmas.

“I was surprised,” said the teenager, whose mother and sister watched as he opened a letter from Camp and read it aloud. “The letter didn’t come right out and say that I had the nomination until it concluded. We all cried. I had no idea I was going to get it.”

Helmka, a senior at Traverse City West Senior High, was seeking an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Hang and Steimel, both seniors at Suttons Bay High School, have received nominations to West Point.

Hang learned of his nomination in a letter when he returned to Leelanau County after a holiday trip to Florida.

He is the son of Vang and Maika Hang of Suttons Bay. Steimel is the son of Alan and Marge Steimel of Bingham Township.

Neither Hang nor Steimel could be reached for comment.