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Jun Vicente Mihara Chong makes NMI proud at US Naval Academy
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Posted on May 27 2009
[B]WASHINGTON, D.C.[/B]—Midshipman Jun Vicente Mihara Chong graduated last week from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, earning the rank of Ensign and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address.
Chong accumulated an outstanding record at the Academy. He was on the Dean’s List, Commandant’s List, or Superintendent’s List in every semester beginning with his Plebe year. Because of this exceptional record, Chong has been assigned to the prestigious Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida for training as a Naval Aviator.
Chong’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vicente T. Chong, were present at the ceremony as were his younger brother and his aunt Dolores from Washington State.
CNMI Rep. Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan also attended the graduation with members of his staff. “Ensign Chong is a source of pride for all of us from the Northern Mariana Islands,” he said. “It was a wonderful moment when Jun Chong’s name was called, and we watched him go on stage to shake President Obama’s hand and receive his diploma.
“Ensign Chong embodies that ‘Yes We Can’ attitude that all our young citizens should emulate.”
Chong was widely recognized for his leadership skills at the academy. He served as a company drill sergeant, plebe summer company executive officer, squad leader, and drill officer. His natural charisma and energy were a great motivator to his classmates and a significant factor in the achievements of Fourth Company, of which he was a member, over the past four years.
Chong is not the only academy student from the Marianas. Jake Tenorio, grandson of “Pinko” Tenorio and nephew of former Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio, is a member of the class of 2012.
“Ensign Chong was nominated to the Academy by Resident Representative Pete Tenorio,” said Kilili. “It was certainly apparent today what a good choice he made in selecting Jun Chong.”
Kilili, as the CNMI congressman, takes on the responsibility of making nominations to the U.S. military academies. The next open slot is at the Air Force Academy. Nominations will be made in January 2010.
Sablan has also introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress that would increase the number of persons from the CNMI who may attend the academies.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B]
