“The aspiration to contribute to something bigger than myself has been a motivation throughout my life,” she said. “Growing up with both of my parents serving in the United States Air Force, I was able to witness them put duty first in all regards. Their influence instilled the values of integrity, service, excellence, and honor in me from a young age and the dream of one day selflessly serving as they have.”
Cruz comes from a family of military veterans. Her mother, Carrie, spent 12 years in the Air Force Reserves. Her father, Alexander, is a Senior Master Sergeant with more than 22 years in the reserves. Both parents are veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Added to that, her brother Michael is in the Army National Guard.
Her heart was initially set on attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, because her parents had served in the Air Force.
“When I was about 10 years old, my father mentioned the United States Air Force Academy to me. It didn’t take much research for me to fall in love with the idea,” she said. “I loved the idea that there were thousands of young individuals who are motivated to serve, sacrificing their traditional college experience to be developed into the best military officers in the world.”
However, her academy goals changed once she had the opportunity to visit the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. “Once I reached my junior year of high school, I was able to apply to the academies’ summer programs, which allow candidates to be immersed into the demanding academy lifestyle for one week in the summer,” she said. “I was accepted to the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar and for the first time got to explore the campus of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. I discovered even more information about the opportunities the Navy and Naval Academy provided for cybersecurity majors to commission as Cryptologic Warfare officers. The week also provided me with a feel for the culture of the Academy, which includes camaraderie, teamwork, and relentless dedication.”
Having been admitted to the Academy this past year, Cruz is looking forward to heading to Maryland this summer. She said she will miss the many activities she is involved in at home.
I have a very full life with clubs and organizations at my high school and at MGCCC. I have loved being on both campuses and the times I’ve had there, but I am also excited about what the future holds for me.”
