GBHS grad eyes Naval Academy
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Patrick King, right, is currently studying at the Naval Academy Preparatory School and plans to transfer to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

A recent Gulf Breeze High School graduate got an early Christmas present this year - a congressional nomination for the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Md.

Patrick King, who is currently attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I., is one of 47 students being nominated for the U.S. Military Academies by U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.

"Its definitely a great education," King said of the USNA curriculum. "It's one of the best learning institutions in the country… They hold you to a higher standard than any other university in the country. More people should want to go to the academy. It's more than just school and fun, they're teaching you how to be a better citizen and how to lead a better life."

A statewide selection committee, appointed by Senator Martinez, made recommendations after interviewing the candidates and scoring their academic accomplishments, athletic talent, and moral character. King should find out by April of next year if he will be admitted to the academy.

King played football all four years at Gulf Breeze High and represented the school twice at state weightlifting meets. King was also a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) all four years of his high school career.

"I so proud of him, it's unbelievable. He's worked real hard and had a lot of good teachers and a lot of good coaches," said King's mother, Maria Rodriguez.

King said he plans to major in political science at the academy.

"More people need to know how government runs and how it works," King said. "If you know that then you can do other things besides just complain."