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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced her nominees to four of the five United States Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

The nominees will be recognized today during a virtual reception with guest speaker Col. Thurman C.C. McKenzie, 1st Armored Division Artillery Commander.

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress. Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination.

“I am incredibly proud to nominate these remarkable young El Pasoans to our nation’s service academies,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Receiving a nomination and attending a service academy is a great honor and commitment and I am grateful to the students and their families for choosing this path of service. Their sacrifice and dedication will make our military and country stronger.” 

As part of the nomination process, the nominees were evaluated by a panel on their academic record, test scores, leadership ability, extracurricular activities, and desire to serve their country.

The full list of nominations is below: 

United States Military Academy – West Point
Andrew Flores – Eastwood High School
Ricardo Fregoso – James O’Neil High School*
Jeremy Locklear – Military Academy Prep School
Dylan-John Lorilla – Cathedral High School*
Richelle Ntumy – Silva Magnet High School
Pauline Rasmussen – El Dorado High School*
Brandon Thompson – Franklin High School

United States Naval Academy – Annapolis
Emilee Antimo – Naval Academy Prep School
Eugenio Casaubon – Coronado High School*
Patricio Casaubon – Coronado High School*
Darby Graham – Texas Connections Academy
Emily Hernandez – Pebble Hills High School
Gavin Rodriguez – Harmony High School*

United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs
Pedro Camps – Franklin High School
Peter Koch – Silva Magnet High School*
Kayla Morales – Chapin High School*
Ariel Santana – El Paso High School
Timothy Strader – Harmony High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy-Kings Point
James Koch – Silva Magnet High School*
Gisselle Vega – Chapin High School

* Nominated to multiple service academies. More information on the U.S. Service Academy Nominations can be found here.