(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)TOPEKA - Congressman Derek Schmidt is now accepting applications for Kansas Second District students seeking a congressional nomination to attend one of the nation's prestigious U.S. Service Academies. "One of the greatest honors I have as a member of Congress is nominating outstanding young men and women from the Second District to our nation's service academies," Congressman Schmidt said. Members of Congress may nominate candidates to the following U.S. Service Academies:U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New YorkU.S. Completed nomination application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 15, 2026. Applicants who submit a complete nomination file and meet all eligibility requirements will be invited to interview before Congressman Schmidt's independent, nonpartisan Service Academy Nomination Board on Saturday, November 7, 2026.