Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) today announced the acceptance of Poteet High School seniors Emma Foster into the United States Naval Academy, and Rex Yee into the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Both will enter during the fall 2017 academic semester.

Congressman Cuellar presents Poteet High School senior Emma Foster with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition at the Poteet High School Competition Gymnasium Monday in honor of being accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.

Congressman Cuellar presents Poteet High School senior Rex Yee with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition at the Poteet High School Competition Gymnasium Monday in honor of being accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

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. I am very proud of 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. Both Emma and Rex had impressive applications and will certainly Poteet very proud.”

About Emma Foster

Daughter of Douglas and Dawn Foster, Emma was recently nominated by Congressman Cuellar and accepted into the United States Naval Academy for the fall semester of 2017, where she will be receiving an education worth approximately $193,000.

Emma has maintained a 4.0 GPA and ranks first in her class. She is currently the vice president of the National Honor Society, president of the Student Council, and volunteers with Relay for Life, the Special Olympics and is involved with Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Previously she was team captain for the volleyball team and participated in both track and field and competitive weight lifting.

About Rex Yee

Son of Xenia Yee, Rex was recently nominated by Congressman Cuellar and accepted into the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School for the fall semester of 2017, where he will prepare for life at the U.S. Air Force Academy. According to the Air Force Academy Admissions Office, the academy prep school only selects around 240 students out of an estimated 9,000 students who apply each year.

Rex has maintained a 4.0 GPA and ranks fifth in his class. He is the recipient of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans National Scholarship, and is involved in various sports at Poteet High School. He has volunteered with many initiatives including Adopt-A-Highway, Adopt-A-Beach and the Poteet Strawberry Association, where he was named the association’s “Berry Important Person” three years in a row and the Strawberry Festival King in 2015.