Murrieta Mesa HS Grad Earns Prestigious US Naval Academy Appointment

MURRIETA, CA — A U.S. congressman has nominated a Murrieta Mesa High School graduate for admission into the U.S. Naval Academy, it was announced Friday.

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-41) made 11 2025 military academy appointments, and among them was Northwestern Preparatory School enrollee Nathanael Burns, who graduated from MMHS last year.

As a member of Congress, Calvert has the privilege of nominating a select group of qualified young men and women for admission to the U.S. Service Academies — Army, Navy, and Air Force. The nominations are based on a selection process that considers academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to service.

"Nominating extraordinary students from our region to attend the academies is one of the highest honors I’m afforded as a U.S. Representative," Calvert said. "In addition to the students, I want to thank their families, friends, teachers, and everyone who supported them. Our volunteer military is shaped by selfless citizens stepping forward to serve, and I’m humbled by the leadership demonstrated by these students at such a young age."

The following is a list of the 2025 candidates nominated by Calvert. They have accepted an offer of appointment and will be part of the Class of 2029, entering in June 2025:

Air Force Academy

• Alexander Apotrosoaei - John F. Kennedy High School
• Aidan Forehand - Xavier College Preparatory (Class of 2024), Air Force Preparatory School
• Daniel Frumusanu - Norco High School
• Cade Paterson – Centennial High School

Naval Academy

• Carlos Barrientos - Santiago High School (Class of 2024), University of California, San Diego
• Nathanael Burns - Murrieta Mesa High School (Class of 2024), Northwestern Preparatory School
• Soren Harris-Pham - John W. North High School
• Makayla Hudson - Arlington High School (Class of 2024), Naval Academy Preparatory School

Military Academy at West Point

• Nathaniel De La Cruz - Fountain Valley High School
• Brooke Desteuben - Norco High School (Class of 2024), Military Preparatory School
• David Madera - Norco High School

Each appointee will receive an education valued in excess of $400,000; the congressman's appointments are awarded on a competitive basis through his Congressional Nominations Selection Committee, according to Calvert's office.