WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that Sean O’Donnell Raes has been offered an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
Raes is a senior at Ballard High School in Huxley, and the son of Yvonne and David Raes. Raes has participated in band, soccer and football, is a member of National Honor Society, and has served as a student mentor.
“Sean will represent Iowa well at the academy. His extensive involvement in extracurricular activities and impressive academic record prove that he has truly earned the honor of an appointment to West Point. I wish Sean the best and appreciate his decision to serve,” said Grassley.
Last fall, Grassley nominated Raes 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 /students/academy-nominations. 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. service 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.