Lahainaluna High School senior Tyler Vanderlaan will begin studying at the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 28.

LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School senior Tyler Vanderlaan has accepted a nomination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. He will report for duty on June 28.

Seventeen-year-old Vanderlaan, the eldest of Kim and Greg Vanderlaan’s three children, was nominated to attend West Point by Hawaii Second District Rep. Mazie Hirono.

He recently finalized plans to begin his eight-year commitment to U.S. Military service. That commitment includes five years of active service and three years of reserve duty.

Tyler and his family visited several Mainland college campuses last fall, but West Point stood out for him.

“I just liked it the best. I was pretty nervous in the beginning, but as things have come into place, I’m happy and excited now. My parents are excited as well, and we’re all pleased about being able to go where I want to go,” Ty said.

Young Vanderlaan earns a 3.8 grade point average at Lahainaluna in advanced placement courses in biology and calculus, and he is a member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and Lunas baseball and basketball teams.

“We are very appreciative of the faculty and administration at Lahainaluna for providing Ty with the education over the past four years to qualify for this opportunity to attend the college that Forbes Magazine rated as the nation’s best,” said his dad, Greg.

Tyler thus joins the elite list of Lahainaluna graduates — including Bryce Kawaguchi, Casey Kawaguchi and Bailey Ball — that have dedicated their lives to the highest levels of United States Military service.