By Peggy Chandler
Royal Pines residents and grandparents Audrey and Ed Novicki of Middle Road, and grandmother Joan Suda, have much to be proud of these days. Their grandson Zachary Suda received a full scholarship to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
Zachary attended Beaufort High School and graduated June 1.  Zach’s parents are Mark and Leslie Suda.  Dad Mark is an alumnus of The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. To be appointed to the academy, candidates must have completed their high school education, earned 16 credits with four of these units being in English; three units in mathematics (from algebra, geometry and trigonometry); and one unit in physics or chemistry with a laboratory. The academy strongly recommends that

[caption id="attachment_7288" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Royal-Chatter-7-5.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7288" title="Royal Chatter 7-5" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Royal-Chatter-7-5-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Zach Suda will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.[/caption]

candidates take four years of mathematics and both physics and chemistry with courses in mechanical drawing and machine shop desirable and completion of pre-calculus or calculus satisfying the trigonometry requirement.
Zach has completed all the requirements as well as being nominated by all three S.C. legislators: Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Jim DeMint and Congressman Joe Wilson.
As a freshman, Zach will study marine transportation, marine engineering, marine engineering systems, marine engineering and shipyard management, maritime operations and technology, logistics and intermodal transportation.
The Merchant Marine is the fleet of ships that carries imports and exports during peacetime and becomes a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war materials.
The U. S. Merchant Marines’ motto is “Acta non verba,” or “Deeds not words.” Zachary Suda has shown by deed and not only words that he is worthy of The U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, and we all wish him well.