Graduation Help Please

proudmomcolorado

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I second the post that the class of 2013 parents were an extremely chatty bunch and with that thought and very much enjoying seeing my DS in the flesh, I would like to ask a question about graduation this June.

We are doing some finageling of schedules so all can make this once in a lifetime event.

I know all the links and emails are coming but could I have someone give us a quick rundown of what past graduation weekends went like. :thumb:
 
Proud Mom: This is from 2011, which I happen to have handy. The format is almost identical every year - except I do not think Melville Hall will be available this year.

A lot depends on how much you want to spend. There is the question of if your child will be part of the awards convocation also - it is not just about academics or even just sports.

Good luck - and you can always reach out to Mary cunningham.

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
KINGS POINT WEEKEND 2011 SCHEDULE

EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The graduation speaker has not been chosen yet. There is the possibility of limited seating which for graduation. The prices etc. contained herein are also subject to change and we are not accepting payment at this time.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011 1600 Varsity Awards Presentation in Ackerman Auditorium – To be followed by a reception at the
Yocum Sailing Center – Cash bar
Dress for Thursday is informal: e.g., sport coats and slacks for men; dresses, skirts or slacks for women.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011
0800 Colors Formation - (weather permitting) 1000 Awards Convocation- Ackerman Auditorium
1200 Awards Luncheon - Melville Hall - Invitation only
1900-2300 Senior Cruise – sponsored by the class of 2011 - (Dress for Friday is casual: e.g., slacks and sport shirts for men; dresses, skirts or slacks for women)

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 0800 Colors Formation - (weather permitting) 0815- 0945 Superintendent's Coffee Reception for Graduates, Parents and Guests (complementary) - McNulty Campus at the American Merchant Marine Museum
1000 Change of Command Ceremony- Powell Oval-Wiley Hall (Rain location:Ackerman Auditorium
1130-1300 Barbecue* for Midshipmen, Parents & Guests at Eldridge Pool - (Rain location: Delano Hall) Midshipmen free; Parents and Guests, Faculty & Staff – $13.00/person – Advance ticket sales
1830-2130 Melville Hall - Faculty, Staff Formal Dinner
** Limited seating available at the Pre-Ball dinner for midshipmen, their dates and parents Advance reservation only. Cost: $70.00/Person
2100- 0100 Graduation Ball*** - Eldridge Pool Area–All invited.
Advance tickets required (Midshipmen free / all others $10.00 /person) (Rain Location: Delano Hall) Dress for Saturday daytime is casual. Dress for Parents and dates attending the Ball is formal (black tie, tuxedoes, dinner jackets, or dark suits for men; cocktail dresses or gowns for women).

SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2011 0900 Catholic Mass - Mariners Chapel 0900 Protestant Service (St Andrew’s Chapel)
1100 Baccalaureate Service Speaker: Captain Donald P. Troast Chaplain Corps, USN- Mariners Chapel
1200 Brunch and Reception* - Land Hall. Advance ticket sales only Parents, Guests, Faculty, Staff & Midshipmen - $15.00/ person (Rain location: Delano Hall) Suggested dress for Sunday is lightweight sport jackets for men; dresses, skirts, or pantsuits for women. Low-heel shoes are recommended for the entire weekend.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011 0800 Colors Formation (weather permitting)
0810 Graduation Photo – Class of 2011 – Tomb Field
1000 Commencement Exercises - Graduation Speaker TBD ; -Tomb Field;
Suggested dress for Monday: is lightweight sport jackets for men; dresses, skirts, or pantsuits for women.

* Meal tickets for these events (Saturday Lunch BBQ and Sunday Brunch at Land Hall) must be purchased in advance from the Delano commissary. Tickets will go on sale starting May 9th and must be purchased by the Midshipman by May 28th.
** Reservations for the Pre-Ball Dinner are confirmed by check made out to Melville Hall and sent to Graduation Weekend Committee, Land Hall, USMMA Kings Point NY 11024. The cost is $140.00 per couple ($70.00 per person including midshipmen). Seating is limited; Contact Ms. Cunningham by phone or email, if you plan to attend the dinner.
*** Tickets for the formal Graduation Ball are paid for by check payable to Class of 2011 Fund and sent to Graduation Weekend Committee, Land Hall, USMMA, Kings Point NY 11024. The cost is $10.00 per person for non-midshipmen.
Please write separate checks for the Pre-Ball Dinner and the Graduation Ball.
For further information, call Ms. Mary A. Cunningham in the Office of the Social Director at 516-773-5398.
E-mail is cunninghamm@usmma.edu
 
OK,

I know I just posted the old schedule, but felt that I should add some additional thoughts based on personal experiences about graduation weekend all that that leads to it:

- Two weeks before graduation they (hopefully all) sit for license exams. Those that pass first time (and are not restricted in other ways) get free gangway -- right up to just before the graduation weekend commences. You may have a difficult time tracking down your own children during that time.
- Many will be taking re-takes, some will not be allowed to sit for a variety of reasons.
- Some who take the license may not be allowed to walk with their classmates while others who do not get to sit, or do not actually pass, may still be allowed to participate for a variety of reasons. Waivers are applied for and nerves go on tight edge for a variety of factors.
- All that said, if you are confident your child will eventually finish the process and your family needs to decide now to make arrangements – please do so!!! All these trials and tribulations will eventually be in a distant rear-view mirror, and Kings Point Classmates are a truly unique entity. The class stands united in their common experiences of suffering along with triumph, and both the good and the bad times together become great memories in the future.
- The single most expensive option is the Senior Cruise (commonly referred to as “The Booze Cruise”). I have attended two of them in the last six years and both were very enjoyable – but if you do not want to spend that much money there is no shortage of available activities in the New York Metropolitan area. The Great Neck Train Station provides easy access to the city if you do not want to drive.
- I am of course trying to address all the parents out there thinking about these things. Your children are no longer children, but they will always still be your children. They still have a rocky road ahead to get to that all-important finish line. They will have their discouraging moments and the simple validation of your faith in their abilities can go a long way to helping them through the tough times.
- Search for the link later in the school year to watch the bell ringing on a live feed that the Alumni Association has put up the last few years. There is a joy that can not be taken away, and even all those who did not get to ring the bell first time around last year have all since passed.
- In advance – CONGRATULATIONS to your sons and your daughters, and your families that have all become part of the greater KP experience.

Mr. Rodgers
 
Proudmom: Sent you a PM with our thoughts and experiences from last June's events. Mr Rodgers already gave the run down so i figured I'd just add our "picks & pans" and lessons learned from our personal perspective.

Class of 2013 - coming off the backstreatch and around the final turn to the homestretch now - Congratulations - until now you probably really weren't sure if that light was from the end of the tunnel or just another oncoming trai, were ya?:wink:
 
grateful thanks

I very much appreciate the posts. Have a better idea of when to arrive and where to stay. Thank you both so much for the advice.
:smile:
 
Class of 2013 - coming off the backstreatch and around the final turn to the homestretch now - Congratulations - until now you probably really weren't sure if that light was from the end of the tunnel or just another oncoming trai, were ya?:wink:
I was thinking this morning, when our church pastor mentioned the availability of 2013 calendars, how far away 2013 once seemed. It's been a wild ride, for both DS and us. Thinking back to that 6:30 a.m. Sunday phone call from Saudi Arabia... Hearing about the doctor visit in Honduras... Watching son's ship sail down the Hudson early one morning, en route to India....

One other question about graduation: how many of the activities are okay for younger siblings? They'll be 17 and 13. I'm not even sure they will be able to come down to KP with us since their school will still be in session and it's finals week. Obviously the booze cruise and the graduation ball won't be their cup of tea (although, believe it or not, they both have tuxes), but I'm sure they'd like to be there for graduation itself.
 
Wow! Its hard to believe that it is now 2013. It went by sooo fast for us - our son says he remembers every single day.

We booked our hotel rooms back in November when we were out for our his final football game!

If you have not booked your rooms - do it now! We have really liked the Hyatt in Garden City. Not a bad drive, lots of good restaurants, a Trader Joe's 400 yards from the hotel, and a discount for KP families (See the alumni website).

Of course, the "P" word - as in POTUS has been mentioned by my son as a possibility at graduation. If that happens, things will get weird......
 
2013 Graduation

Jasperdog,

I tried to send you a PM but since I don't have enough posts the forum would not allow. Could you please send me a PM regarding the suggestions for graduation accomodations as you did for proudmomcolorado? Thanks
 
Of course, the "P" word - as in POTUS has been mentioned by my son as a possibility at graduation. If that happens, things will get weird......
Please, no. The clearances for the mids to march in the inauguration parade are bad enough.
 
hotel help

There is a list of hotels on the USMMA web site, parents page. DS suggested the Adria (six blocks from LIRR) which he says he drives by all the time so if he is our taxi some it would be convenient for him. Hotels.com has a heck of a deal going on for graduation weekend now. Personally would not recommend the A I unless things have really changed in the past 3 1/2 years.

Of course the most convenient hotels are the two right in Great Neck. It probably would not hurt to make a reservation if they have free cancellations and I do know that some hotels give a graduation weekend discount. Hope this helps some.
 
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