DOWNEY - Former Downey High School student William Cortez has been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy and expects to begin the 4-year program this summer.Cortez recently completed one year at the New Mexico Military Institute, a highly-regarded military prep school. While at the Naval Academy, he plans to major in Economics. One he completes his degree, Cortez said he hopes to enter the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer. Entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy is highly competitive. Applicants go through a seven-point comprehensive evaluation to determine the person's qualities in character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals and motivation. Of the 11,923 male candidates who applied last year, only 8 percent were appointed. Cortez recently visited Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, who congratulated him on his appointment. Roybal-Allard hosts a workshop every fall where the nomination and application process. To learn more about the workshops, call Diana Porras at (213) 628-9230 or visit www.house.gov/roybal-allard.

********** Published: June 11, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 8