ELYRIA — Grant Billings would be fulfilling a dream he has held onto since the seventh grade.

Joshua Counts would be following in the footsteps of his parents, who served in the military, and would be giving his life over to serving his country.

Both Elyria students, Billings, 18, a senior at Elyria High School and Counts, 18, a senior at Midview High School, have different reasons for wanting to attend the Military Academy at West Point, but both are one step closer to it becoming a reality.

On Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Avon, announced he is recommending both for admission to the prestigious school. In total, Brown is recommending 50 Ohio students and just two from Lorain County to one of the service academies requiring congressional recommendations — the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Military Academy at West Point and the Merchant Marine Academy.

“Ohio schools are training leaders for the next generation of military personnel. I am honored to nominate these outstanding students for our prestigious U.S. Military Service Academies,” Brown said in a statement. “These Ohioans embody the integrity and courage needed to represent well and uphold the values of our nation. I am grateful for their dedication to serving our country.”

A nomination does not guarantee acceptance into a service academy. The academy’s admissions board ultimately decides who receives an appointment.

Nonetheless, both Billings and Counts are exciting about possibly attending their dream school.

“Every time I find out something new about it, it makes me want to go more,” Billings said. “I was in the seventh grade when someone came to my parent’s Rotary Club meeting to talk about West Point and I didn’t feel the need to look at any other service academies after that.”

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