Marion teen receives appointment to U.S. Naval Academy

MARION - Carter Lorenz set a goal in eighth grade to one day be enrolled as a student at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Now, that goal is becoming reality as Lorenz, 17, of Marion, has received an appointment following his nomination by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

'We kind of grew up being interested in the Navy,” Carter said of himself and his brother, who moved from Marion with their family to Maryland near the Naval Air Station Patuxent River when Lorenz was in middle school. 'We got exposed to the Navy lifestyle because we were 20 minutes away from the Patuxent base.”

Carter's father served in the Navy and after touring the Naval Academy, he knew he wanted to study at the four-year school and become an officer.

'I knew the kind of education I would receive and all the opportunities I would have there,” Lorenz said. 'Throughout the rest of eighth grade and my high school career, I worked to reach that goal.”

The family moved back to Marion before Carter started high school.

The son of David and Leslie Lorenz, Carter is to graduate in May from Linn-Mar High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, student advisory council and National Council on Youth Leadership. He also has participated in multiple sports and works as a swim instructor at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center.

Lorenz said he is excited to receive leadership training and make connections with other members of the military.

'The military is a very tight-knit community,” he said. 'You'll know these people the rest of your life. Even after I retire or leave after 10 years of service, I can keep working with these people.”

Carter is one of 34 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies.

'Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity. Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor,” Grassley said in a news release. 'I wish Carter well and thank him for his commitment to serve our nation.”

When Lorenz received his appointment, he said he was ecstatic.

'I remember opening up my email, seeing my appointment and hugging my mom,” he said. 'I'm not normally super open about my emotions. Having what I've been working for come together in the end, that was the best feeling I ever had.”

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