Two IHA Seniors Attending Naval Academy

seniors, Elizabeth McCarty of Ringwood and Briana
Gorman of Pearl River, N.Y., will both be attending the United States Naval Academy in the fall. This is the first time that two IHA students from the same graduating class will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

Commander Bill Squires presented McCarty and Gorman with their letters of acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy at IHA’s Baccalaureate Mass on June 2, 2012.

McCarty was named a Finalist in the 2012 Competition for National Merit Scholarships and also recently won the National Latin Exam award. She has taken part in track and cross country all four years at IHA and has been a member of the National Honor Society for the last two years. McCarty said she is excited to begin her journey at the Academy.

“I am really looking forward to attending the Naval Academy because of the amazing opportunities that will be provided there for me to grow as a person alongside my classmates while moving towards the ultimate goal of serving my country,” McCarty said. “I look forward to the challenges that I will face at the Academy as they hopefully forge me into a more capable and more confident person.”

Gorman received the Girl Scout Silver and Bronze awards and attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine her sophomore year. She is a part of the People to People Student Ambassador program and has served as a member of the IHA orchestra, student council, student ambassadors, Junior Statesman of America and REBEL clubs. Gorman plans to study chemistry at the Academy.

“I have always been interested in serving my country,” Gorman said. “Attending the Naval Academy has been a lifelong dream that I cannot wait to live out. I look forward to the physical and mental challenges that will come my way, especially during Plebe summer. I feel that Immaculate Heart Academy has prepared me well for this new journey that I am about to begin.”

Patricia Molloy, IHA principal, said that it is an honor for Immaculate Heart Academy to send two young women to the U.S. Naval Academy.

“Each exhibits the qualities that IHA fosters in its graduates—character, academic excellence, confidence and dedication to the greater good,” she said. “We are so proud to have contributed our best to the Naval Academy and the United States Navy.”

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Tara Diggs on behalf of Immaculate Heart Academy.