For senior Coronado High School student Emilia Alpert, attaining a college education from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point would not only be a huge achievement, but also a significant financial relief as she may receive a full scholarship.
For CHS senior Luke Machin, attending the U.S. Air Force Academy represents a chance to expand two careers: a new one in the military, and a continued one in water polo.
Alpert and Machin were among six Coronado residents in a group of 32 students from the 50th Congressional District who received Service Academy nominations from U.S. Rep. Scott Peters. California’s 50th Congressional District includes the cities of Coronado, San Marcos, Escondido and coastal San Diego.
The nomination is a key ingredient in a student’s journey to attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, or the U.S. Air Force Academy. The nomination makes students eligible to be selected for a fully funded education.
On Feb. 20, Peters introduced the 2024 Service Academy in a reception at the San Diego Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park.
“I always look forward to the opportunity to nominate students to our country’s prestigious military academies,” said Peters in a statement. “These students have distinguished themselves as young leaders in their communities and will be future leaders of our Armed Services. Their parents should be very proud of the exceptional, service-minded, patriotic young Americans they have raised.”
Student nominees from Coronado
The students from Coronado nominated to respective military academies represent a small cohort that follows a selective application process.
According to a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), admission to the service academies is competitive.
The CRS says that to be appointed to a service academy, an applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements and be nominated by an authorized person including congressional, service-connected, academy superintendents and others.
“The military academies use a ‘whole person’ approach to admissions by assessing candidates in three areas: academics, physical aptitude, and leadership potential,” reads the report.
According to the list of nominees in a press release, local students nominated include:
U.S. Military Academy West Point:
Emilia Alpert – Coronado High School
Kyla Granados – Coronado High School
U.S. Naval Academy:
Lindsey Balsley – Coronado High School
Chaden Burgos – Mater Dei Catholic High School
U.S. Air Force Academy:
Carter Grimes – The Brunswick School
Luke Machin – Coronado High School
Significant milestone for student leaders
Following the nomination, Alpert, 18, expressed gratitude for the nomination and excitement for future challenges.
“I felt so humbled and honored to be able to represent our school and our community, and I am very thankful that Scott Peters and his panel chose me to represent the district, and I am very excited for the challenges ahead and the future,” said Alpert. “I had so many people supporting me and I was really lucky to have such a great support system and such fantastic people around me to help me.”
Alpert, who will be graduating from Coronado High School this year, said her mom, teachers, football and rugby coaches have all been part of that support system.
“I’m so happy to relieve a bit of pressure from my mom’s shoulders,” said Alpert. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity because at the end of the day, I can give the money that I would be using for college to my younger siblings who will then have a lot of opportunities to go wherever they want as well.”
Like Alpert, a multi-sport athlete at the high school, who plans to play women’s rugby, fellow CHS senior Machin anticipates playing water polo beyond graduation.
“I was recruited to play there, so it’s something that I definitely am looking forward to,” Machin said. “I’m thinking about going to the prep school at the Air Force Academy.”
Each military department operates a preparatory school that offers a 10-month curriculum of instruction in English, mathematics, science and other academic areas, tailored to a student’s needs and entrance requirements for each academy, according to the same CRS report.
At 18-years-old, Machin is the second person in his family to obtain a nomination for the service academies.
“My brother also attended the Air Force Academy and he has his congressional nomination still in his office,” said Machin. “It is a huge honor for my family to receive it as I’m the younger brother.”
Machin’s parents also shared his son’s joy.
“The opportunity to fly is a dream come true,” said Paul Machin, Luke’s dad. “As a father I am proud of my son and all he has accomplished as an athlete but also more importantly as a mature young adult whose focus is on maximizing his potential in life as a man.”
Peters’ office said the nomination wraps up the student application process and the students wait to learn if they’re accepted.
“I want to thank God first and I want to thank my family and everyone who has been with me through this whole process,” added Luke. “It’s just amazing to have everyone supporting me.”
