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Congressman Gonzalez Nominates Students to U.S. Service Academies

January 23, 2018

17 South Texas Students Receive Congressional Nomination

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) is pleased to announce today that 17 students in the 15th District of Texas have received nominations to attend the U.S. Service Academies. These academies include the: U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. (West Point); U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

"I am excited to see so many young South Texans interested in serving their country," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Each of these students already embodies the very values that military service instills in a person: humility, leadership, loyalty, and a strong work ethic. It is a privilege to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives and to nominate them for such an honor."

The application process for most U.S. Service Academies involves receiving a nomination from the student's U.S. House Representative, U.S. Senator, the Vice President, or the President. Once the nomination is confirmed, the academy will review the candidate to determine admission. Students who are accepted become scholar soldiers at some of the most prestigious institutions in America.

In December 2017, Congressman Gonzalez partnered with his Academy Advisory Board comprised of Ellie Torres, Yolanda Cuellar, and Juan Carlos Guerra. The Academy Advisory Board interviewed the candidates and made recommendations to the congressman. Congressman Gonzalez and the Advisory Board selected the following outstanding students from the 15th District of Texas for an appointment to one of our nation's service academies.

"I thank Ellie, Yolanda, and Juan Carlos for tirelessly and enthusiastically interviewing students," Congressman Gonzalez said. "I have no doubt, that with the help of these exceptional community leaders, we were able to select the best and the brightest that South Texas has to offer."

The nominated students are as follows:

  • Leila Nancy Bebley of the Air Force Academy Preparatory, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Carter J. Breu of Samuel Clemens High School, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • John LeAllen Buerger III of Seguin High School, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point);
  • Corbin Deviney of Catoctin High School, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy;
  • Amadeus Dutremaine of the Vanguard Academy, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Trevor Lee Foutz of Byron P. Steele II High School, nominated to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point);
  • Logan Garrison of Lifegate Christian School, nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy;
  • Tori Kinser of Samuel Clemens High School, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Haylee Alisa Konecny of the Science Academy of South Texas, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy;
  • Bailey Larry of Byron P. Steele II High School, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;
  • Jackelyn Mendoza of PSJA Memorial High School, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Brandon Morales of IDEA Toros College Prep, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Marciano Angelo Parisano of Byron P. Steele II High School, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy;
  • Diego Ramirez of the Air Force Academy Preparatory, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Dylan Stanley of IDEA Toros College Prep, nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy;
  • Ivan Jacob Vasquez of Robert Vela High School, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy;
  • Dristan Weaver of Samuel Clemens High School, nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Applicants need to be of appropriate age, have an aptitude for leadership, and possess the commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Interested students can apply for a congressional nomination to one of these academies by visiting gonzalez.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.