WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has selected Miranda Sue Walz, of Monona, for admission for the 2011-2012 school year.
Walz is a senior at Central High School in Elkader and the daughter of Debra and Michael Walz. The Merchant Marine Academy is on Long Island in King’s Point, New York.
“Admission to the U.S. service academies is highly competitive and a great honor,” Grassley said. “Walz has worked hard to earn this opportunity, and I join many others, no doubt, in wishing her well and expressing appreciation for her commitment to serving our country.”
As a high school student, Walz has participated in Girls State, National Honor Society, the math team, a school food and fitness team, volleyball, basketball, track and field, a school wellness committee and 4-H.
Last fall, Grassley nominated Walz 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. 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.