Townsend student nominated by Tester, Baucus accepted to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Senators congratulate Hoeffner for commitment to Montana and nation

(U.S. SENATE) – A Broadwater High School student nominated by Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus has been accepted to the prestigious U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

Kenneth Hoeffner, 17, is committed to public service. When not helping out on his family’s ranch, Hoeffner volunteers with Building Higher Standards where he encourages younger students to live healthy, drug-free lives. Hoeffner was elected student body vice president this year and has served in various positions with his 4-H club.

“Montanans take pride in our state’s long and unbroken history of military service, and I’m pleased Kenny has chosen to join in that tradition,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “All Montanans are proud of him and his family for their commitment to putting country first.”

“There is no greater endeavor in life than service, and Kenny follows a long line of Montanans who’ve dedicated themselves to serving our country,” Baucus said. “The willingness to serve by folks like Kenny and his family is what makes America the greatest country on earth and Montana greatest state in the country.”

Tester and Baucus each nominated more than 30 Montana students to the nation’s military service academies based on their academic achievement, leadership, community service and participation in extracurricular activities.

Montanans interested in applying for a military academy nomination in the future can find out how at Tester’s or Baucus’s websites.