Before 2008 the nominations could be made by members of the public.

Experts from each region will be asked to make nominations.

Eventually, more than 300 nominations, from all 50 states, were made for the first year's awards.

If a group isn't successful in the three years after being nominated, a fresh nomination can then be made.

Friends of possible candidates made nominations, which were then reduced to a final ten.

The nomination was made official at a convention held in that city on August 16.

She said additional nominations could be made by a petition process before April 15.

See the complete list and make nominations for next year at lssu.edu/banished.

After a congressional nomination is made, it's then up to the individual academies to make their final decision.

"Meanwhile," he said, "the broader public will have the opportunity to make nominations for members of the board."