Runyon nominated to U.S. Air Force Academy

Sen. Charles Grassley has nominated 55 Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the U.S. service academies.

Van Buren High School student Tyler Runyon was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

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 Grassley?s nominations in proportion to the state?s representation in Congress.

Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions.

?The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country,? Grassley said. ?It?s a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans.?

Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school.

Sen. Tom Harkin and Iowa representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives also make nominations.

Grassley said he will make announcements as appointments to the academies are offered to Iowans.