Trevor Kleinfelder, a senior at South Whidbey High School, has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy by Congressman Rick Larsen.

“It means a lot actually,” Kleinfelder said. “It’s going to help me toward my goal of being a pilot in the military. I’ve wanted to be a pilot since I was a little kid.”

Kleinfelder, who met basic requirements such as being at least 17 years old and unmarried, submitted a one-to-two page essay explaining why he wanted to attend the academy, two letters of recommendation, a list of community activities and achievements and a sealed copy of his high school transcript and SAT scores. He was later interviewed by an Academy Selection Board comprised of former military personnel and other leading citizens from around the 2nd Congressional District of Washington state in mid-December.

Larsen nominates a total of 10 candidates to each military academy every year.