John Carroll Catholic High School senior Nicholas Messina of Hoover has been accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Messina, who attended Prince of Peace Catholic School and will graduate from John Carroll this May, has a 4.53 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), and is also a student ambassador.

“I originally became interested in the academies after a conversation I had with my grandfather my freshman year,” said Messina.” I became intrigued that it is a lifestyle and not just a college experience. It became clear after I attended Summer Seminar at USNA that the Naval Academy could offer me opportunities to serve and lead others, while being surrounded by people that share my same goals.”

Messina was also accepted into and attended the Summer Seminar for the US Air Force. He was accepted into the US Military Academy’s (West Point) Student Leadership Experience, but could not attend due to conflicts with his schedules to attend the Naval and Air Force summer sessions.

Parents Kimberly and Frank Messina said, “We are humbled to see our Nicholas achieve this goal. Growing up he was often interested in the military, yet early in his high school years he became focused on the service academies and was committed to working hard to best position himself for acceptance. We are proud to be his parents and excited for this next step in his life.”  

Nicholas’ sister Olivia is an eighth grade student at POP School who will attend John Carroll in the fall.  He is the grandson of parishioners Ron and Pam Ozeki.  His paternal grandparents are Norman and Gaethea Messina who are parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows parish.