Alumni Spotlight: Tomas Maldonado (TSA, '21)

Tomas Maldonado, Tomball Star Academy, 2021
Midshipman First Class, senior at the United States Naval Academy

Driven by dedication, leadership, and commitment to service, Tomball Star Academy alumnus Tomas Maldonado’s pursuit of educational excellence has led him to even greater leadership success as a Midshipman First Class, senior at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Maldonado’s roots run deep in Tomball as he spent his entire educational career attending TISD schools, representing Lakewood Elementary, Northpointe Intermediate, Willow Wood Junior High, and one year at TMHS before finishing at TSA. 

Representing the first graduating class of Tomball ISD’s Early College High School, Maldonado was a standout leader, balancing multiple leadership roles with a passion to make a difference in his community. He was elected Governor of Texas Boys State in 2020, served as the inaugural President of the National Honor Society at TSA, represented the Civil Air Patrol, was a Superintendent Student Ambassador, and a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) graduate.

“Tomball Star Academy was an academically challenging and rewarding experience,” Maldonado said. “The tight knit community and small class size of TSA allowed me to build close relationships with teachers and afforded me the flexibility to pursue my interests beyond the classroom. It was special to be part of the first graduating class at TSA and to forge a legacy for future generations of students.”

Tomball Star Academy opened its doors in 2017 and is the only Early College High School in Tomball ISD. Tomball Star Academy is designed to provide a rigorous, supportive learning environment that blends high school and the first two years of college. Students may earn up to 60 college credit hours and an associate's degree from Lone Star College-Tomball by the time they graduate from high school free of charge. 

Maldonado was a successful graduate of TSA, earning both his high school diploma from TSA and his associates degree from LSC-Tomball lwhen he walked the stage in 2021.

“The teachers, leadership, and opportunities made TSA worth it,” he said. “The teachers I had at TSA took personal interest in my success and did not accept anything less than my best work. They truly invested in me. The standard was set high and students were expected to succeed, helping me thrive. The opportunity to take classes at Lone Star College helped me to mature into adulthood, as I was given the freedom and responsibility to succeed.”

Throughout high school, Maldonado made it a personal goal to attend a service academy but was drawn to the idea of serving the military beginning as early as elementary school.

“I was drawn to the rich history and traditions of service,” he said. “As I got older, I realized I wanted to do something significant to have a positive impact on the world and to give back to my country.”

After applying to all the service academies, Maldonado visited the Naval Academy and knew that was where he belonged.

“The history and traditions of the Naval Academy, dating back to 1845 represented an opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.”

One month after graduating from Tomball Star Academy, Maldonado reported to the Naval Academy for Plebe Summer, the basic training program focusing on military discipline, physical fitness, and leadership that all Naval Academy Midshipmen undergo before starting their freshman year.

While military academies are quite different from a typical university, Maldonado has made the most of his experience, growing even more as a young leader.

“I tend to strive in structured environments and I crave the challenges that the Naval Academy offers,” he said. “I can say without a doubt that the academic rigor at TSA prepared me to succeed in the challenging classes at the Naval Academy.”

Maldonado currently serves as the 23rd Company Commander - a prestigious honor - that credits him with the responsibility of safety, well-being, training and performance of the 23rd Company. 

The Brigade of Midshipmen, the student body at the Naval Academy, is divided into 36 companies which form the basic unit of Midshipmen life.

“My role as Company Commander is to create a family culture within the company, advocating for Midshipmen and setting conditions so that all members of the 23rd Company can succeed in their pursuits,” Maldonado said.

He also has the opportunity to serve as a Plebe Summer Detailer, which is a role that helps train incoming freshmen, assisting them with the transition from civilian to military life.

“Over the last two summers, I had the opportunity to lead Plebe Summer and was responsible for the welfare and training of 10 to 80 Midshipmen, leading them through their rigorous training schedule,” he said.

While being immersed in rigorous training and academics, Maldonado still believes the best part about attending the Naval Academy is the people.

“The friends I have made at the Naval Academy have truly been the best part of my experience,” he said.

In addition to the people, Maldonado praises the experiences he has been able to take advantage of.

“The Naval Academy has afforded me the opportunity to do some incredible things like study abroad in the Republic of Latvia, learning the Russian language, train with Marine Reconnaissance personnel at Camp Pendleton, train at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, travel to Dublib, Ireland to watch Navy Football play Notre Dame, and spend 24 hours underwater on a Ballistic missile submarine.”

Every new experience does often come with its challenges, and Maldonado is not immune to the risk and rewards. 

For him, Plebe Summer was the most challenging aspect about attending the Naval Academy.

“The challenging training regimen, the limited freedom, the full academic load, all while trying to adjust to college and the natural stress of leaving home for the first time, made that time certainly challenging,” he said. “While it was challenging, the challenges helped me become a better person, Midshipmen, and leader.”

Now in his final year at the Naval Academy, set to graduate in May 2025 with a degree in History and a minor in Russian, Maldonado will commission into the Marine Corps Officer after graduation with hopes of serving as an Infantry Officer.

Maldonado was a model student in Tomball ISD and now continues that excellence in college. At a young age, he understood the importance of good leadership, and wanted to make a difference in the world just like some did for him.

“The biggest lesson I learned in TISD outside of academics is how good leadership can change people’s lives. The best part of being a student in TISD were the teachers and administrators who took time to invest in my life. Countless teachers like my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Doug Keen helped me become a well-rounded person and strive to have the same impact on the lives of others and Dr. Kim McKinney, the inaugural Principal at TSA was one of the best leaders because she made every student a priority every day.”

Now, wrapping up a successful four years, immersed in the rigorous academic and military training program at the United States Naval Academy, Maldonado continues to embody the spirit of excellence and perseverance that inspires the TISD community and the students at Tomball Star Academy.