This young Marine is the first island resident to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland to be certified as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian, said Evangelista’s success story is worthy of commendation and manifests the people of the Northern Marianas’ commitment to serve their country in war and peace.
“First Lt. Adrian Anthony R. Evangelist had a dream and followed that dream to reality, thus, setting a fine example to our youth of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that nothing is impossible to achieve if you are determined to make a future for yourself,” said San Nicolas who sponsored Senate Resolution 16-25 commending Evangelista’s accomplishments.
His fellow senators joined him in adopting the resolution during their session last Friday.
After completing his high school in Tinian in 2000, Evangelista entered the U.S. Naval Academy to study bachelor of science in information technology.
While in the academy, he joined the boxing team and was awarded the 2005 U.S. Naval Academy Brigade Boxing Champion at 139 pounds in Annapolis, Maryland and even took home a bronze medal at the NCBA National Tournament in Colorado Springs.
He was also selected as a member of the 2005 All-American Collegiate Boxing Team.
He later took aviation training and recently earned his “Wings of Gold” as a certified helicopter pilot for the U.S Marine Corps.
