Myung Kim gets Air Force Academy appointment

Myung Chin Kim, son of Soo-Ahn Kim and Bong Ja Kim of China Town, Saipan has been accepted for the 2006 incoming class at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kim received his nomination to the Academy from CNMI Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio in January; the Air Force Academy announced the appointment on March 21. The cadets for 2006 class enter June 29.

“The appointment is a tribute to the hard work Kim has put into his studies and his character and leadership in the community. I am glad that you have accepted the Academy’s offer to be a cadet. You should be proud for having successfully competed with many outstanding young people in the United States for admission to one of the most prestigious undergraduate institutions in the U.S., the United States Air Force Academy. I commend you for your excellent academic achievement, and for joining an elite group of outstanding citizens from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas who are nominated by my office and are now matriculating at the U.S. Service Academies,” said Tenorio in his letter to Kim.

“Congratulations to Kim and his parents. His hard work and dedication have shown him to be an excellent candidate to represent the Northern Mariana Islands at the Academy. He was excellently qualified and it was a pleasure to nominate him for this honor. He is a well rounded individual whose work ethic and disciplined attitude have contributed to his overall success,” said Tenorio.

Kim, 20, is a former student of Marianas Baptist Academy and Marianas High School, and a graduate of Green Hope High School, North Carolina. He is currently residing in Morrisville, North Carolina and a student at Durham Technical Community College.

Selection is competitive with only the top students being offered a slot in the program. To select students, the academy uses a total person concept that is based on a student’s academic achievement, athletic abilities, leadership skills, and desire to pursue a career in the Air Force. These students have demonstrated that they have the academic background for attending the Air Force Academy. In addition, students need dedication, a desire to serve others, the ability to accept discipline, and a sense of duty.

Tenorio’s most recent academy appointees currently attending the U.S. Service Academies include: Cadet Seung Hee Chong at the Military Academy, West Point; Midshipmen Caroline Claire Lynch and Jun Vicente Mihara Chong at the Naval Academy.

The Resident Representative may have one constituent attending each tri-service academies: the USMA, USNA and USAF Academy at any one time. Ten nominations are permitted for each vacancy. When a constituent leaves the Academy, a vacancy is created. There is no vacancy at any of the academies at this time. Northern Marianas residents who are interested in learning more about the U.S. Services Academies should contact the Saipan District Office at (670) 664-5451/2 or the Washington, D.C. Office at (202) 673-5869. (PR)