Class of 2028 Military Service Academy Classes Seated, Including Four Students from TX-15

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) proudly announced the seating of the Service Academy Class of 2028, which includes four students from her district.

“I am proud to announce four students from South Texas will attend our nation’s military service academies,” De La Cruz said. “In an all-volunteer military, it takes bravery, determination, and a true love of country to sign up for service. The young men and women seated from TX-15 have what it takes to succeed academically and in uniform. I am proud to call them constituents and look forward to their service and success in the academies and beyond.”

The students nominated by Congresswoman De La Cruz to the various military service academies are as follows:

- James Sin from South Texas ISD World Scholars in Edinburg, TX, accepted an offer to attend the U.S. Military Service Academy (West Point, NY).

- Javier Lopez from Sharyland Pioneer High School in McAllen, TX, will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD).

- Leilani Touchstone from Floresville High School in Floresville, TX, accepted a spot at the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO).

- Fredrich Buquel from Sharyland High School in Mission, TX, received an offer to join the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York).

Unique to Congresswoman De La Cruz's office is Fredrich Buquel's acceptance to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a service academy that is traditionally underrepresented in nominations. The process of receiving a Congressional nomination is a crucial step in gaining admission to all military service academies, except for the U.S. Coast Guard. This application, nomination, and selection process is known to be one of the most rigorous college admissions processes in the country.