Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, has announced his selection of principal nominees for the United States Military Academies. Langevin has selected Lilly Robinson, Bryan Hong, and Tsegaye Eugene Janat as nominees for military service academies.

“Nominating the men and women who wish to serve our country is one of the greatest privileges that comes with my job,” Langevin said in a statement. “The commitment to service that I’ve witnessed from Lilly, Bryan, and TJ at such young ages is remarkable, and I believe their integrity and devotion to our country makes them well-suited to be the future of our armed services.”

A student at South Kingstown High School, Lilly Robinson, comes from a family where service is second nature. Her grandfather, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, instilled a strong sense of service in Lilly starting from a young age. In 2021, Lilly attended the United States Naval Academy’s virtual STEM seminar and the United States Coast Guard Academy’s in-person Academy Introduction Mission (AIM), where she had the opportunity to experience what life in the academies might be like. She currently serves as a volunteer firefighter in her community. Lilly hopes to study engineering and devote her career to serving her country. Her exceptional academic record, extensive extra-curricular activities, and outstanding leadership qualities make her a strong nominee for the U.S. Naval Academy.

A student at Bishop Hendricken High School, Bryan Hong of Warwick, realized early on that he was meant for a career of service. He volunteers weekly at the Miriam Hospital and the Providence Rescue Mission and is active in his high school ministry. Bryan is also an Assistant Leading Petty Officer in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, where he participated in a 2-week recruiting process overseen by Naval Officers. Bryan emulates qualities of tenacity and integrity and shows a remarkable commitment to academics and leadership. He shows great promise as a nominee for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Also a student at Bishop Hendricken High School, Tsegaye Janat, of Westerly, chose to dedicate himself to service after he lost his mother, who spent her career working with NASA and the U.S. Army, to ALS in 2020. Tsegaye hopes to pursue a similar STEM path, earn a doctoral degree in engineering, and expand the limits of what science and technology make possible. Tsegaye is regarded by his peers as a role model for his leadership, exceptional merit, and immense resilience in the face of hardship. He shows great potential as a nominee for the U.S. Military Academy. High school seniors from Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District submitted applications to be considered for a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Nominees are selected based on eligibility requirements and strength of transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Academy admission boards will review the nominees and determine final appointments.