Evangelista graduates from naval academy

Representing the island of Tinian, Adrian Anthony Rempillo Evangelista completed his academic career at the United States Naval Academy last Friday, May 27, and was commissioned into the U.S. Marines as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Among the invited guests on hand at the campus in Annapolis, Maryland, were President Bush, who gave the commencement address, and CNMI Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio.

Evangelista, the son of Antonio Boki and Evelyn Rempillo Evangelista, grew up and attended public schools on Tinian, graduating 2nd in his class in 2000. He was nominated to the Naval Academy by former Resident Representative Juan N. Babauta.

“I may not have had the honor to nominate [Evangelista], but it has been my pleasure to watch him grow into an extraordinary young man and now an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Tenorio.

Also present at the graduation was Ed Pangelinan, consultant to the Office of the Resident Representative, who said, “[Evangelista] has truly brought great honor to all of us in the CNMI, and I am privileged to have been able to assist him during his years at the academy.”

Making the long trip to Annapolis for the graduation were his mother, Evelyn; his sister, Abigail; his cousin, Connie Manglona, and her daughter Angelica; his former teachers Capt. Joseph Santos, and Jim and Julie Vinar; and his former classmates Joshua Q. Castro and Je Shin. All were also present at a reception held in Evangelista’s honor at Marianas House after the graduation.

During the reception, Tenorio presented Evangelista with a Certificate of Commendation, and several of his former teachers spoke of his unique qualities, their pride in him, and their wishes for further success.

Staff from Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo’s office read her remarks honoring Evangelista that she had presented on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and entered into the Congressional Record. Also read at the reception was a letter of congratulations from Gov. Juan Babauta.

Evangelista received a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. While at the Academy, he excelled in boxing. He was the 2005 Brigade Boxing Champion for the 139-lb weight class, and went on to become the 2005 Midwest Regional Champion, and finished third at the National Collegiate Boxing Championship in Colorado Springs. His next duty station will be Quantico, Virginia, and then on to Marine Corps flight training in Pensacola, Florida.

“Everyone in the CNMI, especially his family, friends, and neighbors on Tinian, should be proud of [Evangelista’s] accomplishments. He has overcome great cultural, educational, and personal obstacles in getting to where he is today. The service academies are extremely rigorous academically and have very strict discipline. [Evangelista] has great character and determination, and I know this young man is going places,” said Tenorio. (PR)