Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy for the upcoming school year. Twelve Northern Marianas students were nominated, a record number.
“It is great that we had so many students who met the high standards to qualify for nomination this year,” said Sablan. “Because this is also the year that we have twice as many positions open at the service academies for Northern Marianas students.”
Sablan introduced legislation to increase the number of slots at the academies last February, a few weeks after being sworn into office. He was able to have his proposal added to the annual Defense Authorization Act, which President Obama signed into law on Oct. 28, 2009, just in time for this year’s nomination process.
“We have to increase educational opportunity for our young people today, if we want to have a prosperous Commonwealth in the future,” Sablan said.
“Increasing the openings for our Northern Marianas students at West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs does just that. And it gives our youth the chance to serve their country in positions of leadership.”
Students at the service academies obtain their college education for free and are commissioned as officers in their respective branch of the military after graduation.
The 12 congressional nominees from the Northern Marianas are:
Matthew Anthony T. Aquino – The son of Daniel Aquino Jr. and Joann Aquino, Matthew is currently attending Mount Carmel High School and will graduate this June. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval Academy.
Steven Paul Sonio Centino – The son of Marlene Centino, Steven is a senior at Saipan Southern High School. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy and the Military Academy.
Diana Choi – The daughter of Choi Young Sup and Bak Soon Hee, Diana is a senior at Marianas High School. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy and the Military Academy.
Grace Chung – The daughter of Hyun Joon Chung and Jung Me Park, Grace is currently a senior at the Northern Marianas Academy. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy.
Raena Pangelinan Cing – The daughter of Raynaldo Mendiola Cing and Priscilla Pangelinan Cing, Raena attends Tinian High School and will graduate this summer. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval Academy.
Federico Quintero Fernandez – The son of Fidel S. Fernandez and Josephine Q. Fernandez, Federico is a senior at Marianas Baptist Academy. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.
Min Joo Jung – The son of In Young Jung and Ae Soen Jung, Min graduated from Mount Carmel High School in June 2009. He is currently attending the New Mexico Military Institute, the preparatory school of the U.S. Military Academy in Roswell, NM. He was nominated by Kilili to the Merchant Marine Academy in October.
Denn M. Manglona – The son of Senate President Paul A. Manglona and Lydia Manglona, Denn will graduate from Rota High School this June. He was nominated to the Military Academy.
Marvin Olopai Rabauliman – The son of Jose and Mercedes Rabauliman, Marvin graduated from Marianas High School last year. He has been nominated to the Air Force Academy.
John Mendiola Ramos – The son of Luise Mendiola Ramos, John is a senior at Tinian High School. He was nominated to the Military Academy and the Naval Academy.
Calvin Yang – The son of Youn Geun Yang and Sung Sook, Calvin is a senior at Mount Carmel High School. He was nominated to the Merchant Marine Academy and also recommended to the Coast Guard Academy.
John Yoon – The son of Tae Hyung Yoon and Kyung A. Hang, John is a senior at Marianas Baptist Academy and is expected to graduate this summer. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval Academy.
Congressional nomination is not the final step in acceptance to the one of the service academies. Now that they are nominated by their congressman, each applicant will be reviewed by the admission boards at the academies. The boards select the best candidates from among the 4,000 or so normally nominated. Of those, 1,500 will be offered admission.
But before Sablan’s legislation passed, the Northern Marianas could have only one student at each academy at a time. Now there can be two.
Admission is granted to students who meet the service academies’ high standards of academic achievement, leadership potential, physical conditioning, and moral character.
“I am confident that these nominees will succeed if granted appointment and will represent the Northern Marianas well as cadets or midshipmen in school and as officers in the armed services after graduation.
“I wish them all the best of luck in obtaining admission, completing their studies, and serving their country,” said Sablan.
