WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that Joseph Gallet of Atkins and Jakob Stoner of Cedar Falls have been selected by the U.S. Navy for admission to the academy in Annapolis for the 2011-2012 school year, and that Dylan Bechen of Moville has been selected by the U.S. Air Force for admission to the academy in Colorado Springs for the 2011-2012 school year.
“Admission to the U.S. service academies is highly competitive and a great honor,” Grassley said. “These students have worked very hard to earn these opportunities, and I join many others, no doubt, in wishing them well and expressing appreciation for their commitment to serving our nation.”
Gallet is a graduate of George Washington High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and active in student council, the Interact chapter of Rotary, the Cedar Rapids Parkour Club, and the swim, water polo and triathlon teams. Gallet has completed one semester at Iowa State University. He is the son of Lisa and Andre Gallet.
Stoner is a senior at Cedar Falls High School, where he has been active in Boy Scouts, band, chorus, and the cross country, track, wrestling and triathlon teams. He is the son of Ann and Kenneth Stoner.
Bechen is a senior at Woodbury Central School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as a class officer and been active in debate, student tutoring, drama, and the baseball, basketball, football, weight lifting and track teams.
Last fall, Grassley nominated Gallet, Stoner, Bechen and other young Iowans for appointments to the Naval, Air Force, Military and Merchant Marine academies. General information about seeking a nomination is posted at /students/academy-nominations. Applications for nominations for the 2012-2013 academy year are due to Grassley’s Cedar Rapids office by October 1, 2011.
Grassley praised the outstanding Iowa students who applied for academy nominations, and he encouraged eligible students to consider submitting applications in the future.
“These academies provide remarkable educational and service opportunities for young Americans,” said Grassley.
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.
Grassley indicated that the highly competitive selection process makes narrowing the list of nominees a difficult task. “There are so many worthy candidates,” he said. “It’s really wonderful to see the talent, accomplishments, and drive of so many Iowa high school students year after year.”