WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has selected Tobias Gassman for admission for the 2011-2012 school year.
Gassman is a senior at Ames High School and the son of Brigitte and Phil Gassman. The Merchant Marine Academy is on Long Island in King’s Point, New York.
“Gassman has an impressive list of extracurricular activities, including school, community and church activities. He truly deserves this honor and I join many others, no doubt, in congratulating him,” Grassley said. “I’m sure he’ll represent Iowa well at the Merchant Marine Academy.”
Gassman has participated in wrestling, cross country, band, Boy Scouts and church activities. He has twice been named Ames Tribune Carrier of the Month, and recognized as a Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search Top Scorer.
Last fall, Grassley nominated Gassman and other young Iowans for appointments to the Naval, Air Force, Military and Merchant Marine academies, as he does each year. Information about seeking nominations is available at http://grassley.senate.gov/info/academy_nominations.cfm. Applications for nominations for the 2012-2013 school year should be submitted to Grassley’s Cedar Rapids office by October 1, 2011.
Grassley encouraged eligible students to consider submitting applications in the future. “U.S. military academies provide remarkable educational and service opportunities for young Americans,” he said.
Grassley indicated that the highly competitive selection process makes narrowing the list of nominees a difficult task. “There are so many worthy candidates every year,” he said. “It’s really wonderful to see the talent, accomplishments, and drive of so many Iowa high school students year after year, when they apply to these academies.
Grassley expects additional academy appointments to be offered in the months ahead and said he will make announcements as appointments are offered by the academies.