Kofa grad on his way to U.S. Naval Academy in fall

Ethan Munoz, a senior at Kofa High School, said that he was practically jumping off the walls with excitement when he learned that he had been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

“I felt that happy and I felt that sweet energy flowing through me and then it infected my parents too... I told my family and we had a little party and there were many so hugs and tears and laughter and joy and... hot dogs,” he said with a laugh.

Munoz, 17, explained that he has been interested in joining the academy since eighth grade, when he found out more about the program and what they stand for.

“If you were to describe me you would probably say, athletic, outgoing and super hyper — so this just seems like the perfect fit,” he said. “I'm going to be surrounded by people who are just like me and that just seems fantastic.”

After living in Yuma for his entire life, he said that he is excited to make the switch to someplace new.

“I've always loved the beach so Annapolis should be perfect,” Munoz commented. “I've always liked jackets too, I'm a big fan of those. I'm excited for the cold weather.”

He added that he felt very lucky to be chosen to attend the academy after all the hard work and effort he put into the application process.

“You have no idea how bad it was killing me, it was so heart-wrenching waiting to find out if I got in or not,” he explained, noting that only about 8,000 students nationwide are chosen per year to attend the school.

Munoz said that he hopes to double major in medicine and pharmaceuticals to pursue a longtime passion of his.

“I want to be a cardiovascular surgeon, a pharmacist, a lawyer and by night — Batman,” he joked.

“I've always been fascinated with what makes the human body tick, especially the heart. And with pharmaceuticals, I'm really good with math and it just seems like it would fit right with that.”

Munoz has a 3.3 GPA and is involved in track and Swim and Dive club as well as the Key Club, Academic Decathlon, Student Council and the Robotics Club.

“Juggling all these different things is kind of second nature to me,” he stated. “My whole family has supported me through it all too.”