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Local students receive Congressional nominations to US Military Academies
Bay Area Citizen
May 30, 2016
By Stacey Glaesmann
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Three local high school students have received and accepted U.S. Military Academy appointments. District 36 Congressman Brian Babin (R – Cleveland) gave the nominations for Gregory Brookover and Elizabeth Frakes from Clear Lake High School and Alexander Nguyen from Clear Creek High School.

Brookover will be going to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

He found out about the nomination right before Christmas break in 2015. “I was so excited. I was over the moon!” he said.

Brookover will be the first in his family to go into the military. “It’s always been a dream of mine,” he said. “I remember dressing up in military fatigues when I was a little kid. I’ve always looked up to people in the service. Service to others is very important to me.”

Brookover was the Quarterback for Clear Lake High School, on the Leadership Council, a “Student Hero” of the Houston Food Bank, was a member of several honor societies and competed with the Academic Decathlon team, coming in first place in Science and third place in Interview at State Finals this year.

He says the process to be accepted into West Point was lengthy. “There were physical fitness tests and three essays, just to name a couple,” he said.

Brookover’s acceptance letter came in February. “My family [which includes his mom, dad, brother and sister] is supportive of me. My mom was very worried at first, but she knows that this is what I want and supports me,” he said.

Brookover will report for 16 weeks of Boot Camp in late June.

“I am so grateful to everyone – my parents, family, teachers and Congressman Babin,” Brookover said. “My service in the Army will be a testament to the people who have helped me along the way.”

Elizabeth Frakes, also from Clear Lake High School, will be going to the United States Air Force Academy.

“Congressman Babin called me the day after Christmas break,” she said. “I was so surprised and excited!”

Frakes decided she wanted to enlist after taking a trip with her father and speaking with his supervisor, who served in the US Air Force. “He really encouraged me,” she said.

Like Brookover, Frakes will be the first person in her family to serve in the military. Her older brother is attending Texas A&M University, where he is majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Frakes served as her Student Class President this school year, ran cross country track and played violin and viola in the school orchestra.

“My goal for my life was to serve others in some capacity,” said Frakes. “This is the way I’ve decided to do it.

“I really want to thank Congressman Babin. My grandfather, who passed away two years ago, would have been so proud of me,” Frakes said.

Alexander Nguyen, from Clear Creek High School, was accepted into the Air Force Academy. He was not available for comment.