{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-nominates-iowa-students-us-service-academies-2", "Grassley Nominates Iowa Students to the U.S. Service Academies", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 34 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies.  \u00a0  \u201cYoung Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state.\u00a0 These candidates\u2019 accomplishments and leadership are exceptional, and their early desire to serve signals continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces,\u201d Grassley said.  \u00a0  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.\u00a0 The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassley\u2019s nominations.\u00a0 The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states\u2019 representation in Congress.  \u00a0  Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions.\u00a0 Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowa\u2019s U.S. senators.\u00a0 Students may receive more than one nomination.  \u00a0  Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school.\u00a0 Early application is encouraged.\u00a0 The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.\u00a0  \u00a0  \u201cThe academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country.\u00a0 It\u2019s a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans,\u201d Grassley said.\u00a0  \u00a0  Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies.\u00a0 The students then choose whether or not to attend the academy.\u00a0 More information about service academy nominations can be found here.  \u00a0  Grassley will make announcements as academy appointments are offered to Iowans.\u00a0The lists below include the names and hometowns of Grassley\u2019s nominees for the 2017\u20132018 school year.  \u00a0  U.S. Military Academy at West Point  Ryer Barnes \u2013 Cedar Rapids  Jerry Bastin \u2013 Muscatine  Noah Bierman \u2013 West Liberty  Zach Bunn \u2013 Bettendorf  Griffin Clark \u2013 Lisbon  Garrett Dolan \u2013 Muscatine  Elizabeth Ernst \u2013 Red Oak  Brock Jennings \u2013 Osage  Calvin Pieper \u2013 Waukee  John Sullivan \u2013 DavenportU.S. Naval Academy  Nathan Abramoff \u2013 Iowa City  Connor Ascherl \u2013 Granville  Justin Budan \u2013 Ottumwa  Lucas Cosselman \u2013 Eldridge  Samantha Fultz \u2013 Rowley  Patrick Gorman \u2013 Springville  Patricia King \u2013 Sioux Center  Carter Lorenz \u2013 Marion  Gabrielle Plagge \u2013 Le Mars  Elizabeth Worthington \u2013 BrooklynU.S. Merchant Marine  Selena Bantz \u2013 West Des Moines  Brayden Elbert \u2013 Indianola  Colin Kerkhoff \u2013 Waukee  Joshua Krehbiel \u2013 Elkhart  \u00a0  U.S. Air Force Academy  Lucas Castro \u2013 Davenport  Savannah David \u2013 Granger  Nathan Davis \u2013 Cedar Rapids  Lindsey Dee \u2013 Melcher Dallas  Brayden Elbert \u2013 Urbandale  Shannon Guy \u2013 Davenport  Christine Hess \u2013 Shelby  Daniel Holt \u2013 Cedar Rapids  Jack Vander Voort \u2013 Orange City  Noah Welch \u2013 Urbandale-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-2"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.411092933267355, "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"}