Fullerton Hills Celebrates Cyrus Cole's Nomination to West Point, Class of 2030
The Fullerton Hills community is thrilled to share a truly extraordinary milestone. Cyrus Cole — a lifelong Fullerton kid who grew up in Raymond Hills, walked the halls of Acacia Elementary, sat in classrooms at Ladera Vista Junior High, suited up for Troy High School, and then kept his momentum going at Fullerton College right here at home — has officially received a nomination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, joining the incoming Class of 2030.
In a community that has always taken immense pride in nurturing character, ambition, and service, this announcement is nothing short of extraordinary. Cyrus isn't a recruit who landed in Fullerton for convenience — he's a kid who grew up on these streets, learned in these schools, and was shaped by this community from kindergarten through college. A nomination to West Point is among the highest honors a young American can receive, reflecting not only outstanding academic and athletic performance, but also a deep commitment to leadership and civic duty. Cyrus earned his right here at home.
A Story of Persistence
What makes Cyrus's journey to West Point truly remarkable is the determination behind it. Cyrus previously received congressional nominations from Representative Michelle Steel — the former representative for California's 45th District — on two separate occasions. Both times, he pursued the appointment with everything he had, and both times the final selection eluded him.
Lesser individuals might have accepted defeat. Cyrus did not. Rather than stepping away, he leaned in, and West Point itself recognized his potential by awarding him a Preparatory Scholarship to attend New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). The West Point Preparatory Scholarship Program, granted directly by the Academy, is designed to strengthen a candidate's academics, leadership, and military readiness before formal admission. Cyrus completed the rigorous program at NMMI in May 2026, building the foundation for success at the Academy.
This year, his persistence paid off — he received the nomination and appointment he had worked so tirelessly to earn. It is a powerful reminder that the path to greatness is rarely a straight line, and that true character is revealed not in the setback, but in the refusal to stop moving forward.
The Making of a West Point Nominee
Behind every nomination is a young person who showed up, day after day, in classrooms, on playing fields, and in the community. Cyrus Cole's resume reads less like a list of accomplishments and more like a portrait of relentless forward motion — the kind that catches the eye of a Congressional office not once, but twice.
Academic Excellence
Cyrus's story begins where it should — in the classrooms of Fullerton. His education is a Fullerton story from start to finish: Acacia Elementary in the hills of North Fullerton, where he first learned the foundations, then Ladera Vista Junior High School, right in the heart of the same community, where his work ethic started to set him apart. From there, he entered Troy High School, Class of 2024, where he earned a 4.29 GPA while loading his transcript with the most demanding coursework his school offered — AP Computer Science, AP European History, AP Calculus, AP English, AP Government & Politics, AP Physics, IB Spanish, and IB Business Management, alongside six Honor Courses. He earned the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma and was named a California Scholarship Federation Seal Bearer for four consecutive years. National Honor Society membership followed in his senior year. Rather than leaving town after graduation, Cyrus stayed rooted in Fullerton — continuing his education at Fullerton College, where he carried that momentum forward with a 3.75 GPA, landing on both the President's Honor List (Fall 2024) and the Dean's Honor List (Spring 2025) and earning induction into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. And when West Point itself awarded Cyrus a Preparatory Scholarship to attend New Mexico Military Institute, he delivered once more — completing the rigorous program with a perfect 4.0 GPA at NMMI, further demonstrating the academic discipline that the Academy demands of its cadets.
A Record of Recognition
Cyrus received Congressional Military Academy Nominations in both 2023 and 2024 from Congresswoman Michelle Steel — a distinction that speaks to the consistent caliber of his candidacy across multiple selection cycles. Before that, his potential was already drawing national attention: he attended the West Point Military Academy Summer Leaders Experience in 2023 and received an invitation to the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcon Visitation Experience the same year. These programs, reserved for a select handful of high school juniors nationwide, placed Cyrus in the company of future cadets long before he earned his appointment.
Three-Sport Varsity Athlete
Cyrus competed as a varsity athlete in football, basketball, and track and field — all three sports — throughout his time at Troy High. He served as Team Captain of Varsity Basketball (2023–2024) and Captain of Varsity Track & Field (2022–2023), earning the Scholar-Athlete Award in all four years (2021–2024). His athletic honors include the Warrior Award for Varsity Basketball (2024), Most Valuable Field Event Athlete in Frosh/Soph Track & Field (2022), a 2nd Place finish in the Freeway League Frosh/Soph Shot Put and Discus, and Offensive Player of the Year in JV Football (2021). West Point demands physical toughness and competitive drive — Cyrus had already proven he had both.
Leadership & Community Heart
The qualities that make a great cadet extend well beyond the classroom and the playing field. Cyrus was selected for the Troy Tech Magnet Program, a four-year commitment from 2021 to 2024, and served on the Troy Football Leadership Council. Outside of school, he has volunteered at St. Juliana Church Food Donation and the Lestonnac Medical Free Clinic on an ongoing basis, and completed a CORE Physical Therapy internship in the summer of 2023. He is also a member of the Constabulary Club and the Aviation Club — a young man drawn to service in every form it takes.
Taken individually, any one of these achievements would be impressive. Taken together, they paint the portrait of a young man who never had to leave his hometown to find greatness — he built the foundation for West Point in the same Fullerton schools, on the same neighborhood courts, and under the same eucalyptus canopies that define life in Raymond Hills. The journey from Acacia's playgrounds to West Point's parade grounds started right here.
Cyrus's journey to this moment is one that resonates with so many families across Raymond Hills, Sunny Hills, and Golden Hills — families who chose these neighborhoods precisely for the values, community spirit, and environment that help shape the next generation of leaders. As a Raymond Hills native, Cyrus grew up on the same hillside streets known for their panoramic views, mature eucalyptus canopies, and close-knit character — the very qualities that make this neighborhood feel like home. Cyrus's story is proof that when young people are raised in a community that values grit and integrity, extraordinary things happen — even when the road is longer than expected.
What a West Point Nomination Means
Acceptance into the United States Military Academy at West Point is an intensely competitive process. Prospective cadets must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, physical fitness, and — most importantly — proven leadership potential. Nominations are extended by members of Congress, the Vice President, and other designated officials, making each appointment deeply personal and nationally significant.
West Point has produced some of America's most distinguished leaders — from generals and astronauts to presidents and Nobel laureates. For Cyrus to be selected for the Class of 2030 places him among an extraordinary cohort of young men and women who will go on to serve at the highest levels of our nation's military and civic life.
A Proud Moment for Fullerton Hills
North Fullerton's hillside communities have always been more than addresses on a map. They are neighborhoods where families grow roots, children ride bikes along tree-lined cul-de-sacs, and neighbors look out for one another. Cyrus Cole grew up in those neighborhoods — he attended the local public schools, played on the local fields, and was mentored by local teachers and coaches. The achievements of our young people reflect the collective spirit of these streets, these schools, and these families.
From the winding eucalyptus-shaded roads of Raymond Hills to the equestrian trails of Golden Hills and the stately estates of Sunny Hills, our neighborhoods share a common thread — a deep investment in the future. Cyrus is proof that investment pays off. He didn't need to leave Fullerton to find his path. The path was always here — in the classrooms of Acacia and Ladera Vista, on the courts and fields of Troy, and in the lecture halls of Fullerton College. He is a proud product of this community, and the entire Fullerton Hills neighborhood shares in the Cole family's pride.
A Note from the Curator
"On a personal level, this one hits close to home. Cyrus is a Fullerton kid through and through — Acacia Elementary, Ladera Vista Junior High, Troy High, Fullerton College — this community raised him, and now West Point gets to benefit from everything it poured into him. He received congressional nominations from Representative Michelle Steel on two prior occasions and came up short both times, but he never quit. He went all-in, and West Point awarded him a Preparatory Scholarship to attend NMMI, where he completed the program this past May after a full year of intensive preparation. Watching him finally earn this appointment is a reminder of why we love living in these hills — it's the people, the values, and the way this community rallies behind its own. Cyrus, your persistence is an inspiration to every young person in Fullerton Hills. West Point is gaining an incredible young leader, and we couldn't be prouder."
— Rob Cole, Senior Broker Associate & Community CuratorAs Cyrus prepares for the rigors and rewards of life at West Point, the Fullerton Hills community stands behind him with admiration and excitement. Having completed the West Point Preparatory Scholarship Program at NMMI this past May, Cyrus will report to the United States Military Academy on June 29, 2026 to officially begin his journey as a member of the Class of 2030. He leaves from the same neighborhood where he grew up — the same Raymond Hills streets where he first learned to ride a bike, the same community where his story began. This is one of those moments that reminds us why these neighborhoods matter — not just for the homes, the views, or the trails, but for the people who make them extraordinary.
Congratulations, Cyrus.
Fullerton Hills is proud of you.
