Los Alamos Reporter

Luján Announces Nominations For U.S Service Academies: Nominees Include David Kwei And Maximillian Pasulka

FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN BEN RAY LUJAN

Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, on Monday announced the nominations of students from New Mexico’s Third Congressional District to enter the United States Service Academies.

“Each year, I have the incredible honor of nominating talented young New Mexicans to our U.S. Service Academies. These outstanding students have a demonstrable record of excellence and service, and I know that they will continue making New Mexico proud,” said Luján. “New Mexicans have always answered the call to serve, and I know that these students will continue that legacy.”

Congressman Luján’s 2020 U.S. Service Academy nominations include:

U.S. Military Academy – West Point, NY

•             Cade Allison – Navajo Preparatory – Fruitland

•             Brianne Boyd – New Mexico Military Institute – Farmington

•             Derek DeHerrera – Pecos High – Pecos

•             Amanda Garcia – Saint Pius X High – Rio Rancho

•             Jadyn Jeantete – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             Tyler Jenson – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             David Kwei – Los Alamos High – Los Alamos

•             Eugene Tapahonoso – Piedra Vista High – Kirtland

•             Faris Wald – Santa Fe High – Santa Fe

U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, MD

•             Maxwell Aiello – Clovis High – Clovis

•             Cade Allison – Navajo Preparatory – Fruitland

•             Brianne Boyd – New Mexico Military Institute – Farmington

•             Amanda Garcia – Saint Pius X High – Rio Rancho

•             Darien Garcia – Manzano High – Edgewood

•             Tyler Jenson – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             David Kwei – Los Alamos High – Los Alamos

•             Maximillian Pasulka – Home School – Santa Fe

•             Teresita Salas – Rio Rancho High – Rio Rancho

•             Faris Wald – Santa Fe High – Santa Fe

U.S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, CO

•             Maxwell Aiello – Clovis High – Clovis

•             Brianne Boyd – New Mexico Military Institute – Farmington

•             Derek DeHerrera – Pecos High – Pecos

•             Sarah Fischer – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             Darien Garcia – Manzano High – Edgewood

•             Jadyn Jeantete – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             Tyler Jenson – Cleveland High – Rio Rancho

•             Maximillian Pasulka – Home School – Santa Fe

•             Teresita Salas – Rio Rancho High – Rio Rancho

•             Eugene Tapahonoso – Piedra Vista High – Kirtland

Interviews took place throughout the Third Congressional District in early November. Congressman Luján’s Service Academy Selection Board considered all the applications from the young New Mexicans interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Academy nominees submit an application that includes a personal statement, resume, letters of reference, academic transcripts, and standardized test scores. If nominated by Congressman Luján, applicants must meet the individual admission requirements for each academy. Students may be nominated for more than one service academy. The academies make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission.

Selection to U.S. Service Academies is among the most competitive and rigorous in the country; regardless of the number of qualified applicants each Member of Congress nominates, only a select few from each Congressional District are accepted by the service academies each year. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2021.