San Antonio, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that his high school student nominees—Noah Chavez and James Perez—have been accepted into the Naval and Airforce Academies. He also announced that Abigail Kilpatrick, a student at Marian High School, has won the annual Congressional Art Competition for the 28^th District of Texas.

“Entry to the United States Military Academies is extremely selective. Each year, the Air Force Academy selects just about 12% of all applicants. The Naval Academy admits just 8% of all applicants,” Cuellar said. “Our students’ acceptance to the Navy and Air Force Academies is testament to their hard work and success throughout high school. It is an amazing honor and accomplishment. I congratulate Noah, James and Caleb. I wish them success in their military careers and thank them for their future service to our country.”

Cuellar continued, “I also want to recognize Abigail Kilpatrick for winning the Congressional Art Competition for the 28^th District of Texas. The competition is extremely selective but represents Abigail’s talents in the fine arts. I look forward to walking by Abigail’s art every day in Washington as I walk between my office and the House floor.”

Noah Chavez a graduate of East Central High School, will attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was a varsity athlete in football and golf and volunteered with the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area, Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, and the Annual Wounded Warriors Blast and Cast.

James Perez, a graduate of Karen Wagner High School, will attend the Airforce Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Perez was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council while working as an aircraft maintenance intern and grill master at Whataburger.

Congressman Cuellar had the privilege of nominating a select group of highly qualified students in the 28th Congressional District of Texas for an appointment to the United States Military Service Academies, including the Air Force, Naval, Military, Merchant Marine academies. 

Abigail Kilpatrick’s artwork will be displayed for a year in the tunnel between the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings—a route traveled daily by Members of Congress, their staffs, and visitors from around the world. More than 650,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional Art Competition. 

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