MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WHNT) — Muscle Shoals High School grad Natalie McCabe and Florence High School grad Caleb Price made history as the first two students to earn their way to the United States Naval Academy.
It’s the first time two students from the Shoals area have been appointed and accepted into the Naval Academy.
“It is just absolutely unreal,” Price said.
“It just feels great, I’m just very appreciative of having this opportunity to do this, and very thankful for everyone who supported me throughout this process,” McCabe said.
The United States Naval Academy has a 9% acceptance rate, and the process to get in is long and competitive.
“There’s only 1,100 spots, so it’s a very difficult and long process, but I’m just extremely thrilled,” Price said.
Price told News 19 that he has wanted to go to the Naval Academy since he was a little kid. To be accepted, a congress member must appoint you. When Price got the call from Congressman Robert Aderholt, his ultimate dream came true.
“I just lost it when I found out I got appointed. I checked my parents’ location and drove to where they were and we were all just going crazy,” Price said.
And as for McCabe, she walked News 19 through her experience when she got that phone call.
“Me getting in on Aderholt slate was shocking and just really, really happy because like Caleb mentioned, it’s been a really long process and just being able to finally hear back was fantastic,” McCabe said.
Price will be running on the Naval Academy’s track and cross country team, but the two students told News 19 what they’re hoping to do in the future.
“The plan is to major in political science and possibly minor in history and work as a naval aviator,” Price said.
“I’d like to stay in, as long as I possibly can, as long as I can do a good job at what I get to do up there, so hopefully stay in for a while, but I’m open to any career path,” McCabe said.
The Shoals natives will head to Annapolis, Maryland, on June 24, to begin their new chapter.
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