U.S. Rep. Tom Udall announced his nominees to attend the United States Service Academies, including the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Among the nominees are Santa Fe residents Britta L. Bigej, a nominee for the Air Force Academy and daughter of John Steven and Tamsen Cipriano Sherman; Andrew Hyde, a nominee for the Air Force Academy and son of Edwin and Tracy Hyde; and Kenneth Kinderwater, a nominee for both the Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and son of Diane Kinderwater.

Udall's nominees must now be accepted by the service academy for which they were nominated. The service-academy admissions process is among the most selective in the country. Students admitted to an academy will receive a world-class education at no cost in exchange for a commitment to military service.

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Ashley Young, a clinical coordinator of the Santa Fe Community College's Emergency Medical Services Institute, wants to improve how paramedics interact with younger patients. She made her case in Boston at the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference and Exhibition, held Oct. 11-14. Young and her group, the Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project, presented information on how paramedic curriculum can better prepare students for the needs of pediatric patients.

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The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Nicholas Ballas of the Cowgirl BBQ to its board of directors.

Ballas has been involved in the food and beverage industry in Santa Fe for more than 25 years. He has been a partner at the Cowgirl BBQ on Guadalupe Street for more than 12 years. His previous management positions include experience at the Inn of the Anasazi, Victor's Ristaurante Italiano and the Lone Wolf Cafe.

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World War II Landing Craft Infantry Veterans' annual state reunion was held Nov. 1 with a luncheon at the home of Jim and Kathryn Leaken in Santa Fe.

Five of the remaining 11 veterans in New Mexico and their spouses were able to attend. After a brief meeting, each veteran recounted and reminisced about their experiences.

The veterans are: Jim Leaken of Santa Fe; Buzz Bainbridge of Santa Fe; Charles Doerr of Rio Rancho; Jim Poore of Albuquerque; and Clinton Greenbank of Deming.

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Cornerstones Community Partnerships is pleased to announce the following new board appointments: Jennifer Lee Kimball, Renee Martinez and Joseph L. Ponce, all of Santa Fe; and Jay W. Oppenheimer of Dallas.

Kimball is the chairwoman of the board of La Fonda. She is both a licensed attorney and a licensed real-estate broker who has practiced law in Texas and New Mexico and sold real estate in Santa Fe with Grubb and Ellis. She has also been an active board member of Habitat for Humanity, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Santa Fe Community College Foundation, the Buckaroo Ball and United Way.

Martinez is the chief information officer for the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer. She has been an IT professional for 23 years and has experience helping organizations to implement Information Technology. She has contributed her services to various nonprofits throughout the state including KUNM radio. She is the director of the board of Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.

Ponce is an investment banker with experience serving on 23 boards for both private and public companies in Philadelphia, Princeton, N.J., and Santa Fe. He serves as a board member and treasurer of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico. He has been a member of Cornerstones' Finance Committee for many years.