Kim, Ching gets Air Force Academy nomination

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio nominated Myung Chin Kim and Christopher Centeno Ching on Jan. 31 as this year’s CNMI nominees for appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating Class of 2010.

“Myung and Christopher are exceptionally potential candidates. I wish them the best of luck in their journey to one of the best educational institutions, the USAFA,” said Tenorio.

Tenorio’s nominees in 2004, Caroline Claire Lynch and Jun Vicente Mihara Chong, were accepted and are now attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In 2005, Seung Hee Chong was offered admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Tenorio’s decision to nominate Myung was based on his high SAT scores and high school GPA and excellent athletic extracurricular activities.

Myung, 20, is the son of Soo-Ahn Kim and Bong Ja Kim of China Town, Saipan. He is a former student of Marianas Baptist Academy and Marianas High School, and a graduate of Green Hope High School, North Carolina.

“I wish to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and to serve in the U.S. Air Force at this time because of the crucial war in Iraq. I believe that it takes the qualities of academics, commitment, dedication, and leadership to serve our great country and I feel I have it all to become one,” wrote Myung in a letter to Tenorio.

Christopher Centeno Ching, 18, is the son of Wilfredo G. Ching and Violeta M. Centeno of Saipan. Currently a senior at Mount Carmel High School, he is in drama/acting, mock trial clubs. He also serves as captain/coach for the school varsity volleyball team. He is actively involved in the Red Cross Club and helps the community with fundraising for the less fortunate.

“If I ever get accepted into the Air Force Academy, I promise to be the best I could be in serving my country. I want to study aeronautical engineering and I believe the Air Force Academy is one of the best aeronautical schools in the world,” he wrote in his letter of intent.

The next step in the selection process is for the Academy’s admission board to decide whether to accept Tenorio’s nomination. By late April, the Academy will issue the majority of appointments and notify nominees of their acceptance.

In accordance with U.S. Public Law 104-106, one of Tenorio’s duties as CNMI Resident Representative to the United States includes nominating students to some of the best educational institution in the world: the U.S. Military Academy, Naval, and Air Force academies.

Students interested in seeking nomination to the United States Service Academies in the future are encouraged to apply early. For further information, contact Ana S. Teregeyo at the Saipan District Office at (670) 664-5651/2, fax (670) 664-5644 or Mr. Pete Torres in Washington, D.C. at (202) 673-5869, fax (202) 673-5873. (PR)