Antilles High School cadet selected for U.S. Naval Academy STEM summer program
Cadet Sgt. Tatiana Pacheco, a 10th-grade student at Antilles High School, has been selected for the U.S. Naval Academy’s STEM Summer Program for rising 9th- through 11th-graders.
Pacheco’s deep interest in space sciences and aerospace engineering caught the attention of her JROTC instructor, Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Jose Tirado, who encouraged her to apply.
Her dream began six years ago at a women’s aviation event in Puerto Rico, where she met professionals in the field and realized she could pursue a career in STEM. The summer program will give her hands-on experience working with Naval Academy faculty and midshipmen.
“I dream of becoming an aerospace engineer and am considering a military career with the Air Force or Space Force,” Pacheco said. “Being selected for this program has given me even more hope than ever to achieve my dream.”
LTC (Ret.) Carlos Rivera Torres, senior Army instructor for the JROTC Pirate Battalion, praised Pacheco’s dedication.
“She is mature beyond her years and demonstrates exceptional emotional intelligence,” Rivera Torres said. “Tatiana is a true role model who embodies the values of our battalion — leadership, service, and patriotism. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.”
Pacheco is completing her second year in the JROTC program, part of DoWEA’s Career Technical Education offerings. Through JROTC she has strengthened her leadership abilities, civic responsibility and sense of patriotism.
She also owns a lifeguard services company that she built from a small cookie-baking business. The venture has taught her financial management, customer focus and entrepreneurial skills she plans to apply in her future engineering career.
An athlete on the school’s soccer and futsal teams, Pacheco develops teamwork and discipline while regularly participating in community service, including feeding the homeless with JROTC and the Interact Club. Since childhood she has volunteered at her grandmother’s community social service center.
Pacheco plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She represents the best of Antilles High School and the JROTC Pirate Battalion.
