Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) congratulates former Downey student William Cortez on his appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy during a visit to her Downtown district office.  William expects to begin the elite 4-year Annapolis program this summer. 

Pictured from left to right: William’s mother, Dorra Barrios; William Cortez; Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; and William’s father, Salvador Cortez.

William is a graduate of Downey High School and recently completed one year at the New Mexico Military Institute, a highly regarded military prep school.  While at the Naval Academy, William plans on majoring in economics. Once he completes his degree, he hopes to enter the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer.

Entrance into the U.S. Naval Academy is highly competitive. Each applicant goes through a seven-point comprehensive evaluation. Character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals, and motivation are each considered to determine whether an applicant is a good fit for the Naval Academy.  Of the 11,923 male candidates who applied last year, only 8 percent were appointed.

Some of the Naval Academy’s most noted graduates include former President Jimmy Carter, Senator John McCain, former astronauts Wendy Lawrence and Major General Charles Bolden, and former NBA basketball player David Robinson.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard nominates qualified students from her district to the service academies which include the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Every fall the congresswoman hosts an annual workshop covering the nomination and application process. To learn more about the service academies or to inquire about future workshops please visit the congresswoman’s website (www.house.gov/roybal-allard) or call Diana Porras in the district office at (213) 628-9230.