NEWS
Senior picked by West Point By Erika McCreary Reporter
S
enior Brett Morales was appointed to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point in March because of his outstanding athletics and academics. To get appointed to West Point you must get a nomination from a verifiable source, Morales was nominated by Iowa congressmen Bruce Braley, Tom Harken and Chuck Grassley. Morales received a phone call from Braley in March confirming his acceptance into West Point. After getting the call from Congressman Braley, Morales was ecstatic. “I was so excited that I ran, and screamed, and jumped up and down on the couch” Morales said. Getting nominated for the academy is only confirming that you have a chance to get in, it doesn’t mean that you were accepted. The phone call from a congressman is your acceptance into West Point. Getting into West Point is very difficult. About 1,000 new cadets are accepted each year. There are three important factors that decide if you get accepted, Morales said. You need to have good grades, be athletic, and show leadership. “I have a 3.9 GPA, I am in National Honor Society, I am also in varsity cross country, and track and field” said Morales. Next, your SAT scores and essay are reviewed, and then you must take the Candidate Fitness Assessment, which consists of a timed one-mile run, a pull up test, a push up test, a sit up test, a shuttle run, and a basketball throw. It is also required that you participate in at least one sport while you are at West Point. West Point is a four-year military school. Tuition and housing is paid for by
the army, but to pay it back you must serve five years of active duty, and three years in the reserve as a military service payment. Morales must report for basic training in New York by July 1. He wants to major in military engineering, as well as join the riflery and paintball teams. His family was so proud that their son was accepted into West Point. “My mom was happy, but she was really worried too; she’s a mom, she’s supposed to worry.” He said his father was a big influence when thinking about FITNESS TEST applying to West Here are the results of Point. His Brett Morales’ Candidate father was Fitness Assessment. a NCO, or non-ComPull ups: 15 in 1 min. missioned officer. PUSH UPS: 74 in 2 min. His father advised SIT UPS: 95 in 3 min. him to take “one day SHUTTLE: 7.6 sec. at a time” because 1 MILE RUN: 5:17 min. there will be many BASKETBALL challenges. THROW: 78 feet Morales said he is nervous, but he is looking forward to the challenges ahead because “those really help you develop as a person.” “It is a great opportunity to help the country, and for the country to help you,” said Morales. “I’m going to miss my family, of course, my parents and my sister, and all the friends I have at West too.”
Paraeducator passes away over spring break BY BECCA SANDRY Becca.Sandry3@gmail.com Paraeducator SuAnne Fiegel 60, of Buffalo, Iowa, passed away at her home from a blood clot on March 18. Fiegel had been employed by Davenport Community Schools for 25 years. She also served on the Davenport Conservation
Board for the past 10 years. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Buffalo and served as its secretary. Her husband, Jack Fiegel, is a special education teacher at West. Mrs. Fiegel was known fondly by many staff members at West. “I’ve known Mr. and Mrs. Fiegel for a very long time,” said athletic director Al Blocker.
“Mrs. Fiegel was the nicest lady you would ever come across. She was very caring, considerate with her students and others she worked with. She was organized and a very important part of the program where she worked. She will be greatly missed.” The staff plans to remember Mrs. Fiegel by planting a tree in her memory.
SuAnne Fiegel
APRIL 12,