MARYSVILLE – Aaron Kalab, a senior at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

It is a rare achievement as only 1,200 students are accepted each year.

“It is an honor and a blessing to be accepted,” Kalab said.

Kalab, who has a 4.0 grade point average, plans to become a civil engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers or maybe a mechanical engineer. He doesn’t have to pick a major until his sophomore year.

He said his grandpa was in the Navy and a cousin was in the Marines.

“They introduced me to the military, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s my calling,” he said.

Part of the process is being nominated by a member of Congress. Suzan DelBene, 1st District-WA, filled that role for Kalab.

Once he gets his college degree he will serve as a commissioned officer in the Army for five years of active duty followed by three years in the reserves. That is in return for the full ride he receives at the expensive school.

At M-P, Kalab recently made second team all-league in basketball, and he was a captain on the squad. He’s received the WIAA Academic Student Athlete Award for three years. Kalab’s been an ASB ambassador and officer. A National Honor Society member, he’s also been Math Student of the Year.

For community service, he’s been involved in the Miracle on State Street; Hoops for Hope; basketball camps at M-P and in Italy; a church camp counselor; built houses for Housing Hope; volunteered at the food bank; and worked with a homeless shelter in Lake Stevens. Kalab got a little taste of what to expect at West Point by attending a leadership camp there in New York last summer.

“It was eye opening,” he said. “I’m a little nervous about the unknown, but excited to start.”