Staff Report

Graduating Lehman High senior Kali Palomarez was accepted to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD after being nominated by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D). 

Palomarez, who is the daughter of Rene Palomarez and Ashley Izaguirre, has been a highly involved and successful student in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) and the National Honor Society (NHS). Palomarez is also ranked in the top five of her class, and is team captain of the Lehman Lady Lobos varsity volleyball team, among many other activities.

In a statement, Palomarez she got her “true calling” to join the military on May 9, 2008. 

“A few weeks before my 10th birthday, my family and I were told that my Tio Isaaac had been killed in combat in Afghanistan. He was 26 years old,” Kali said in her essay to Doggett. “He is the family hero. He is also my main inspiration. When we got the news, I knew the military is what I truly wanted and what I was meant to do.”

Doggett said in a statement that Palomarez has “demonstrated a drive and commitment to excellence in every task that she takes on.” 

“As she has already been active in the Naval JROTC, I know she will continue this good work at the Naval Academy and in her pursuits thereafter,” Doggett said. “Hays County has much to be proud of in her appointment.”