Recognition During Graduation

cstamm

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I heard from a friend of mine who just graduated from USNA that the academy sends an officer to the high school graduations of those who received appointments. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
 
I heard from a friend of mine who just graduated from USNA that the academy sends an officer to the high school graduations of those who received appointments. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

A bit of conflation here. There aren’t enough officers at USNA to hit all the HS graduations for 1100+ appointees in the same couple of weeks all over the country. Nor the travel funds.

Quite often a BGO will attend. I am sure the BGOs here will comment accurately.
 
BGOs will traditionally do them. If they can’t make it, they will usually have another one cover for them.
 
Some BGOs are active duty officers; others are retirees (allowed to wear the uniform). That might create the confusion about "an officer" attending. However, other BGOs are civilians.
 
I make a point of attending high school awards ceremonys. . There is no better way to recognize successful candidates, and promote awareness of USNA, particularly in rural areas. I did present the appointment at the actual graduation once- Very rural school, class was about 25 and almost all had been together for 12 years. Still my record for longest drive to present appointment - almost 3.5 hours one way.
 
Several older threads about this subject, these often discuss how to determine the specific value of an SA appointment. At some h.s., they have an 'award' ceremony separate from graduation where individual planning to attend USNA will get recognized.
 
AT my daughter's 2018 graduation in Chicago there was an officer from the Navy in uniform presenting the scholarship to the young man that was selected. It was very impressive.
 
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This is an old thread, but my question fits in with the title.

My son's BGO wants to make a presentation at his HS graduation ceremony. There are almost 700 graduates, and my son does not want to have any special attention thrown at him. He thinks it is a big day for all the graduates and doesn't want to take away from their special day. He feels he already is getting more than enough attention. However, he is also concerned about disappointing his BGO and school officials. He really doesn't know what to do. I wish I had an answer for him.
 
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If he does not wish to have the presentation by the BGO then he just needs to respectfully tell him that. I had an appointee last year that was the same way, didn’t hurt my feelings. It’s their day, I make the offer, whatever they want.
 
This is an old thread, but my question fits in with the title.

My son's BGO wants to make a presentation at his HS graduation ceremony. There are almost 700 graduates, and my son does not want to have any special attention thrown at him. He thinks it is a big day for all the graduates and doesn't want to take away from their special day. He feels he already is getting more than enough attention. However, he is also concerned about disappointing his BGO and school officials. He really doesn't know what to do. I wish I had an answer for him.
Your son should also consider that it is a way to increase awareness about the academies.

It isn't just entirely about him, it is also about that freshman who sees your DS being recognized and says "Hey, I want to do that!"
 
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This is an old thread, but my question fits in with the title.

My son's BGO wants to make a presentation at his HS graduation ceremony. There are almost 700 graduates, and my son does not want to have any special attention thrown at him. He thinks it is a big day for all the graduates and doesn't want to take away from their special day. He feels he already is getting more than enough attention. However, he is also concerned about disappointing his BGO and school officials. He really doesn't know what to do. I wish I had an answer for him.

Most schools have some sort of Honors night or scholarship recognition ceremony. Your MOC may also coordinate with your school to arrange a big signing ceremony. Your school would be foolish not to make a big deal out of this accomplishment as it certainly reflects well on them too. But I get why your kid doesn't want the added graduation attention, my kid didn't want any special attention at graduation either. It was a time to celebrate their collective efforts of their class and to celebrate each other. By the time graduation comes it will have probably been in the local paper (heck even the local news), you will all be ready to let the spotlight shine somewhere else and prepare for I-day. Now.... let me say that if your school doesn't acknowledge an academy appointment in other ways and graduation is the place for that then absolutely let that light shine :)
 
Your son should also consider that it is a way to increase awareness about the academies.

It isn't just entirely about him, it is also about that freshman who sees your DS being recognized and says "Hey, I want to do that!"

This is exactly what happened to my DS in 6th grade when we attended older brother’s senior awards night and a classmate received very nice recognition for appointment to USAFA.

I definitely get not wanting attention- hearing stuff like that from DS right now. I respect his wishes to a point. To those blessed with great fortune comes great responsibility.
 
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What about NAPS appointees? Will a BGO be present at the graduation. It is a very nice gesture.

I don't think she would be surprised if he were there, as she has had regular communication with him …. She doesn't necessarily want attention drawn to her, however.
 
Let me just give a different view. With an appointment comes a lot of attention. For some, it is overwhelming and not something they enjoy. As they complete high school and head off to USNA they have very few choices left to to make. Once they get to USNA their biggest choice will be Gatorade or water at a meal for 6 weeks. During the academic year it will be what kind of pizza to order. Sometimes having those few of decisions is a nice thing, but you get very little control over your life. Let them make these final choices in their young adult lives and go out how they wish. An appointment also has a lot of pressure... ‘can I make it’, ‘am I good enough’, ‘what if I don’t make it’, ‘is this right for me’. Even for the kid that is 100% confident and wanted this since they could walk... there is pressure and doubt, even the slightest amount that is rarely communicated to anyone. Just my two cents and to give a different view.
 
An appointment also has a lot of pressure... ‘can I make it’, ‘am I good enough’, ‘what if I don’t make it’, ‘is this right for me’. Even for the kid that is 100% confident and wanted this since they could walk... there is pressure and doubt, even the slightest amount that is rarely communicated to anyone. Just my two cents and to give a different view.

This is an excellent observation and one I need to be sensitive to.
 
In our experience, all the hoopla outside of the actual “ceremonies” sufficed to ‘create interest’. The school posted the appointment on its various social media sights, etc. The exposure and awareness can also come from that. DS didn’t want any special recognition either. Which worked out well Bc our school doesn’t allow outside presenters anyhow. He wanted to be like everyone else. Personally imo let your son decide. BGO’s will understand. Like NavyHoops said, it’s his last time to just be one of the guys.

One of the biggest adjustments for DS was realizing once he put on that uniform and got off they yard, that they are almost like movies stars. Kids want their pictures taken with Mids. People approach them. Line the streets to watch them march to games (and throw candy and drinks at them). They can no longer go under the radar unnoticed. He says it’s like paparazzi when they go out. So your DS will get that attention soon. And so will you when you go with him. Is surreal.
 
All interesting points of view. All different from each other, and each one is correct. Ain't that just wonderful....

I told him whatever he decides is fine. I explained to him that getting an appointment to a SA is a big deal. It's a big deal to a lot of people. His family is proud. His town is proud. His school is proud... He gets it. He understands that it may get a young kid interested in doing the same thing one day.

He is a humble kid. He is concerned that the ceremony lasts 3 hours as it is. He doesn't want to be the reason it is drawn out any longer. People have dinners to go to! I think his biggest concern is that they acknowledge all graduates who have enlisted. They all stand up together at once and then sit back down. No individual attention. He doesn't think he is any better than any of these people and doesn't think he is anything special to be singled out. Many of these enlistees are his close friends.

@justdoit19's comments made me laugh. When he was out for a run on CVW, he heard tourists shout 'Beat Army!' at least a dozen times. The Midshipmen he was running with said, 'Get used to it!'
 
What about NAPS appointees? Will a BGO be present at the graduation. It is a very nice gesture.

There is no "requirement" that a BGO make a presentation. It is certainly encouraged and I try to present appointments to both USNA and NAPS appointments, largely for the reason A-dad points out --promoting awareness. I frequently see an uptick in applications from schools after we have a successful applicant.

That being said, I would never make the presentation if the Appointee didn't want it, and I certainly wouldn't push for it at graduation. Graduation is the time to celebrate the accomplishment of everyone in the Class, and a USNA appointment puts the spotlight on one instead of the Class. That issue is compounded if the recipient is Valedictorian etc. Most schools of that size have a Senior Awards night, and that is a lot more appropriate setting for the presentation.
 
I think his biggest concern is that they acknowledge all graduates who have enlisted.

I live in a rural state, and Senior Awards Ceremony's often include a recognition of those enlisting. I frequently adjust my prepared presentation to include a recognition/acknowledgment of all those that chose to serve. That is one of the reasons that my normal presentation focuses on serving and leading the military, rather than "the free college education". I try to avoid putting the Appointee on too high a pedestal ....some of the kids in their class are just thrilled to receive one of the many $250 memorial scholarships handed out in small towns.

It's probably not necessary, but if DS is concerned about being put on the pedestal and overshadowing those that are enlisting, he could mention this to the BGO and BGO would (should) adjust his/her presentation accordingly.
 
DD's BGO and Congressman's Representative presented at Senior Awards Ceremony. Many of the parents and all of the other students were supportive and one parent even called it the (Her Name) Awards Ceremony. She was the first in our school to attend any academy. In just three years we now have 4 at an academy. So I agree it is the Appointees decision. As you will hear many times over ask your Mid what they want and follow their lead. JMHO. @brewmeist our school also acknowledged all grads who were enlisting too! :usa::usa:
 
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