{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowa-students-us-service-academies-1", "Grassley Nominates Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 41 Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the U.S. service academies.    Young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces. These candidates accomplishments and leadership are outstanding, Grassley said.    Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The Air Force, Military and Naval academies all select at least one qualified student from Grassleys nominations. The Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states representation in Congress.    Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions and seeking multiple nominations. Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowas U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination.    Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.     The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country. Its a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans, Grassley said.     Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. The students then choose whether or not to attend the academy. More information about service academy nominations can be found here.    Grassley said he will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans.     The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassleys nominees for the 2016-2017 school year.    U.S. Air Force Academy  Sidney Alsager, Jewell  Justin Ashley, Waukee  Emma Baller, Sioux City  Alan Chatfield, Muscatine  Abraham Fisher, Clinton  Brandon Gore, Bettendorf  Kaitlin Greene, Coralville  Daniel Holt, Cedar Rapids  Zane Johnson, Johnston  Olivia Ketron, Dixon  Nathan Leon, West Des Moines  Jared Logomarcino, West Des Moines  Riley Lowe, Swisher  Samuel Pisney, Cedar Rapids  Hannah Schwartz, Ames*  Patrick Schwartzhoff, Davenport  Corbyn Shumaker, Ankeny  Andrew Shumway, Des Moines  John Sullivan, Davenport  Thomas Treptau, Lansing U.S. Military Academy at West Point  Jerry Bastin, Muscatine  Garrett Dunn, State Center  Christian Flege, Waverly  Zachary Gilbert, Cedar Rapids  Alexander Gudenkauf, Coralville  Harrison Jones, Council Bluffs  Jonas Mason, Cedar Rapids  Katelyn Miller, Clear Lake  Patrick Ramirez, State Center  Joseph Zasadney, Walker   U.S. Naval Academy  Caroline Ascherl, Granville  Robert Beardsley, Bettendorf*  Michael Berry, Cedar Rapids  Evan Boss, Central City  John Buck, Dallas Center  Darek Garman, Corwith  Jason Nye, Urbandale  Ross Otte, Clive  Cole Patton, Des Moines  Hunter Wargo, West Branch U.S. Merchant Marine Academy  Robert Beardsley, Bettendorf*  Meeghan Rodamaker, Mason City  Hannah Schwartz, Ames*   Students denoted with an asterisk (*) were also nominated for appointments to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in addition to the Air Force, Military or Naval academies. -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowa-students-us-service-academies-1"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.004133839160204, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}