Butte student accepted into Air Force Academy following Tester’s nomination

Appointment is a dream come true for Central High’s Krista Stone

(FORT BELKNAP, Mont.) – The prestigious U.S. Air Force Academy has accepted a Butte Central High School senior into the Class of 2015, Senator Jon Tester announced today.

Tester nominated Krista M. Stone to attend the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., last December.  She is scheduled to begin her appointment this summer.

“Krista is going to make Montana and all of America proud as an Air Force officer,” said Tester, Montana’s only member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  “Krista is already a gifted leader as a scholar, as a volunteer, and as an athlete.  The future of our military will be in good hands with smart, driven and well-rounded folks like her leading the way.”

Stone has said it is her dream to attend the Air Force Academy. 

She is currently captain of Central High’s speech and debate team, a member of the Key Club, and a Girl’s State participant. Stone also volunteers time with her church and with the Maroon Activity Club.

Stone served as a representative in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program last year.  The month-long exchange brought her to Indiana and Kentucky, where she lived with several young Iraqis to “promote a mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between the United States and Iraq.”

Stone is the daughter of Randy and Debbie Stone, and Lonnie and Kathy Jo Persons.

Stone is the sixth Montanan nominated by Tester to be accepted to a military academy for the class of 2015.

Montanans interested in applying for a military academy nomination in the future are encouraged to do so online at Tester’s website, HERE.