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Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) today announced the acceptance of Gabriel “Gabe” Acosta into the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School.

Congressman Cuellar presents United High School Senior Gabriel "Gabe" Acosta with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition in honor of being accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Pictured from left to right are Gabe's parents and sister, and Congressman Cuellar: L-R, Gabriel Acosta Sr., assistant chief patrol agent at the Laredo Border Patrol Sector; United High Senior Gabe Acosta; U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar; Talisa V. Acosta; and Veronica Acosta.

Congressman Cuellar presents United High School Senior Gabriel "Gabe" Acosta with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition in honor of being accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Pictured are the Acosta family with Gabe Acosta, center right with certificate, and Congressman Henry Cuellar.

This year, three students from J.B. Alexander High School, and Gabe Acosta from United High School, were all accepted into either a U.S. Service Academy of a U.S. Service Academy preparatory school for fall 2017—the largest in Laredo’s history.

Each year, Congressman Cuellar provides service academy nominations as one step in the military academies’ application process. Nominees must participate in a lengthy review process that evaluates their academic history, leadership skills, extracurricular activities and personal accomplishments.

“Nominating students from the 28th District of Texas to military service academies is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Every year, over 12,000 students meet the requirements for application into these academies and only 1,000 actually receive offers of appointment. Gabe had an impressive application and will certainly make Laredo proud at the U.S. Naval Academy prep school.

“This year, we’re celebrating the largest acceptance rate we’ve ever had in Laredo, with three students from Alexander High School and one from United High School. I am very proud of our community and these exceptional students, as are their parents, friends and teachers, because not only have they have excelled in school, but they have made the decision to serve their country.”

About Gabe Acosta

Son of Veronica and Gabriel Acosta, Gabe was recently nominated by Congressman Cuellar and accepted into the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School, also known as NAPS, for the fall semester of 2017, where he will prepare for life at the Naval Academy. Getting accepted into NAPS is highly competitive, as they only select around 250 students out of an estimated 15,000 students who apply to the Naval Academy each year.