Academic Awards Night

J

jollyrogerUSNA

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Hello everyone! Is it common to have cadets/midshipman recognized at this event? I tried doing a quick search bc I recall a chat about the USNA tuition being equated to a $450,000 scholarship. I would love to have my son recognized for this as they took away Valedictorian and several other notable awards even National Honors Society! Thanks for your help.
 
It depends on the high school and what they allow but it is definitely worthy of recognition! My son (USAFA 18) was recognized at his school's awards night (rather than graduation) and it was awesome! I still have the video on my phone. An Academy rep came and presented his appointment and gave a short speech about what it meant. He was the only one of his class (of about 700) heading to a service Academy so it was really special.
 
We have been thinking about having DS’s BGO present the appointment to him at senior awards night. This night falls on the same night as a varsity baseball game being played at our state U’s new field. DS says he wants to skip the awards night. Says nobody at school cares about his appointment and has no idea what USNA is. There probably is some truth to that. The awards night is mainly for school-based scholarships and scholarships awarded by colleges are not recognized.He was excited and told his guidance counselor about his appointment when he got it. She apparently has told no one. None of DS’s teachers know. It hasn’t shown up on the school ‘s web site or in the daily announcements. I refuse to say what does appear on these sites.

DS is the first SA appointee since 1993 and the third since 1967. The high school class of 1967 produced a USNA astronaut.

DW is kind of sad about this. I think she was hoping to finally see one of our sons recognized in the sea of theater and robotics awards we’ve sat thru over the years. I’m a bit peeved. DS is cool - he has bigger fish to fry.
 
ders_dad said:
We have been thinking about having DS’s BGO present the appointment to him at senior awards night. This night falls on the same night as a varsity baseball game being played at our state U’s new field. DS says he wants to skip the awards night. Says nobody at school cares about his appointment and has no idea what USNA is. There probably is some truth to that. The awards night is mainly for school-based scholarships and scholarships awarded by colleges are not recognized.He was excited and told his guidance counselor about his appointment when he got it. She apparently has told no one. None of DS’s teachers know. It hasn’t shown up on the school ‘s web site or in the daily announcements. I refuse to say what does appear on these sites.

DS is the first SA appointee since 1993 and the third since 1967. The high school class of 1967 produced a USNA astronaut.

DW is kind of sad about this. I think she was hoping to finally see one of our sons recognized in the sea of theater and robotics awards we’ve sat thru over the years. I’m a bit peeved. DS is cool - he has bigger fish to fry.
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Sad and pissed are the right emotions.

We are fortunate that people recognized it. It’s a huge honor. Is it anti-military school?
 
School recognitions run the gamut...lots of discussion about it. Really it’s a school specific thing. If your DS/DD wants recognition and the school allows it, you will be able to find someone to accommodate I’m certain.

Our school does not do a big whoop-de-do. A slide on a PowerPoint presentation is all. It used to irk me, then I got used to it as it’s not about me anymore. And DS would have been horrified.

To the parents who want it proudly (and rightfully so!) announced: there will be tons of really cool things to proclaim once they get there! Participating in Senator McCain’s funeral (RIP) was pretty neat in DS’s first month.

My personal advice is to listen to your plebe to be’s and honor them. They soon won’t have a say in ANYTHING. Even how they hold their fork.
 
The school in which I teach is a couple miles south and across the river from the Pentagon. Much of our convocation is military related with big check presentations and whatnot. Anything otherwise would be met with lots of boot stomping.
 
BGOs will present when asked. I always offer to my appointees. Most BGOs make every effort possible to make this happen. Last year’s appointee said no thanks, I am good. Let the kids decide. I know many say it’s helps recruitment for the SAs, it is, but I still respect what a kid wants. It’s their appointment, I will support what they want. For some kids, it’s alot of pressure too. Especially a small town kid with tons of fan fare.
 
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A1Janitor said:
Sad and pissed are the right emotions.

We are fortunate that people recognized it. It’s a huge honor. Is it anti-military school?
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I wouldn’t say anti-military- I would say “clueless”. The military just doesn’t have a “footprint” in our school district.

The adjacent school (same district) typically has an SA appointee every the other year and my two oldest went there before they redrew the attendance boundaries. None of DS’s peers and teachers really understands the commitment to serving. They are not selfish, just clueless. IMHO they live in a bubble and never encounter the military. They don’t appreciate the difficulty of applying to an SA, let alone the chances of receiving an appointment. Let’s just say we are sometimes confronted with “somebody did something.”
 
I feel the best approach is to remember that humility is an important asset to being a great leader, which is the goal for all of our children fortunate enough to get an appointment to a SA. Do I want my son to be recognized? Absolutely! He got free rides to several schools, but there was never any doubt in his mind to become a Naval Officer and to go the USNA route. Will he get recognized this June? I really don't know. There are people that ask him almost every day, "Why did you settle for the Navy? I thought you could have gone anywhere." These people clearly do not get it. My son shrugs it off. He does appreciate how fortunate he is to get an appointment, and he realizes the responsibilities that are in store for him. That's all that matters.
 
I sense that a school’s desire to impart recognition really depends on the school and also the part of the country you are from. At DS’s school, they don’t see a difference between someone going to Tufts from someone going to USNA - why recognize one but not the other? Also, a kid going to State U who is from an immigrant family and is the first person in their family to get a HS diploma is an even greater achievement (and I believe it is). How do you not recognize that achievement but do recognize a kid who had a much greater head start and got into USNA? Where do you draw the line?

We’re all proud of our kids. I have to remind myself of a t-shirt I bought at Philmont a couple of years ago - “The pursuit IS happiness”. DS has achieved an intermediate goal- the rest is window dressing.
 
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ders_dad said:
I sense that a school’s desire to impart recognition really depends on the school and also the part of the country you are from. At DS’s school, they don’t see a difference between someone going to Tufts from someone going to USNA - why recognize one but not the other? Also, a kid going to State U who is from an immigration family and is the first person in their family to get a HS diploma is an even greater achievement (and I believe it is). How do you not recognize that achievement but do recognize a kid who had a much greater head start and got into USNA? Where do you draw the line?

We’re all proud of our kids. I have to remind myself of a t-shirt I bought at Philmont a couple of years ago - “The pursuit IS happiness”. DS has achieved an intermediate goal- the rest is window dressing.
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Excellent post.

The difference as I see it ... my son is putting his life on the line to join the Unite States military as an officer to defend our country. He could have chosen a different college and career path and had as much personal success. His recognition stems from his choice to serve, not the college he attends.

As an American, I’m proud of and salute all achievements like the immigrant family to have their first HS diploma.

Just my opinion.
 
One of the important missions of the BGO program is to promote awareness of USNA. I view the High School Awards ceremony as an opportunity to promote awareness as well as recognize a significant accomplishment, and always offer to come to my candidates. I ask them to give their HS Administration (usually the Guidance Counselor) my contact information , and coordinate directly. One school actually invited me to present the Appointment at graduation (it was a very small, rural HS, graduation class of 25, and about 24 of them had been together in schools since Kindergarten).

I had to laugh at the comment about sitting through arts and sciences awards-- unless I am traveling a distance (my record is 3+ hours), or presenters are seated in a place that I can slip away discreetly, I usually sit through the entire event. Sometime I have to chuckle (to myself ) at some of the awards people come up with, but keep in mind that to some of these kids , that Arts award is as meaningful as a USNA appointment.
 
Thank you everyone! And I agree with every post. My son does not care if his appointment is recognized or not. I care because like A1Janitor mentioned, my son is choosing to defend everyone in that room. I think its a special distinction. I'm probably being selfish and braggy, but wow am I proud of all these kids that can make such a commitment at such a young age. Also, he is the first student to get an USNA appointment from his HS. There have been several USMA and USAFA, but he is the first to NAVY! And so many that hear he is going to NAVY think he enlisted, which is another fine way to get into the NAVY but like many others have posted, no one quite understands that grueling application process unless they have been through it. Thanks again for all the words of wisdom. It puts things into a better perspective for me. But again, I need to stress how PROUD I am of all these fine, young individuals. I have been keeping tabs on the kids waiting on a TWE or BFE and I am in awe of their determination and positive attitudes. It has been such a privilege to be part of this journey with everyone on these forums. No doubt, each individual has an exciting future ahead of them.
 
The ONE thing that I do wish concerning awards night is this - recognition of the importance of service (particularly military service). I would love to see all those graduating who are going to be enlisting, ROTC, SAs, Peace Corps (don't know if that's a thing anymore or something you can do out of high school), going to divinity school, training to be EMTs, police academy, etc. to stand up together on a stage in front of their classmates and be recognized as a group. It seems like everything has become so transactional and "me" focused. What I am most proud of with my DS is his genuine desire to be a part of something bigger than himself and to be of service - his willingness to make small sacrifices for the greater good. If there is one thing I want celebrated, it is that.
 
ders_dad said:
The ONE thing that I do wish concerning awards night is this - recognition of the importance of service (particularly military service). I would love to see all those graduating who are going to be enlisting, ROTC, SAs, Peace Corps (don't know if that's a thing anymore or something you can do out of high school), going to divinity school, training to be EMTs, police academy, etc. to stand up together on a stage in front of their classmates and be recognized as a group. It seems like everything has become so transactional and "me" focused. What I am most proud of with my DS is his genuine desire to be a part of something bigger than himself and to be of service - his willingness to make small sacrifices for the greater good. If there is one thing I want celebrated, it is that.
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My daughter graduated HS last year. About 700 graduates, held in a college arena. At one point during the ceremony, the principal asked for any graduate who is enlisting to stand. I would estimate about 15 stood up. Then he asked for all active and retired military in the audience to stand. It was by far the longest applause of the entire ceremony.

I have mentioned in previous posts that my son doesn't want to be singled out at graduation. His BGO wants him to, and we haven't heard how the school wants to handle it. He doesn't mind people knowing where he is going. He just doesn't want to be singled out as somebody special. However, he also appreciates what @Old Navy BGO is saying. There may be a kid sitting in the audience who gains an interest in attending a SA because of the presentation.
 
ders_dad said:
The ONE thing that I do wish concerning awards night is this - recognition of the importance of service (particularly military service). I would love to see all those graduating who are going to be enlisting, ROTC, SAs, Peace Corps (don't know if that's a thing anymore or something you can do out of high school), going to divinity school, training to be EMTs, police academy, etc. to stand up together on a stage in front of their classmates and be recognized as a group. It seems like everything has become so transactional and "me" focused. What I am most proud of with my DS is his genuine desire to be a part of something bigger than himself and to be of service - his willingness to make small sacrifices for the greater good. If there is one thing I want celebrated, it is that.
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ABSOLUTELY agree with this. GREAT post.

Also love the idea @brewmeist stated, having military audience members stand. Brought a small tear to my eye actually.
 
ders_dad said:
The ONE thing that I do wish concerning awards night is this - recognition of the importance of service (particularly military service).
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I frequently see the enlisted recruiters at these Awards events, particularly in the small rural towns. They are often presenting small scholarships or enlistment bonuses, etc, and I make a point to recognize those enlisting when I talk about service. My theme when presenting the Appointment is Service and the opportunity to lead our sailors and marines; I try to keep it short, sweet and to the point, and only briefly mention the 4 year college education. USNA discourages trying to put dollar figure like the reference to the "$450,000 scholarship" mentioned above, as that merely causes those that don't fully understand the USNA mission and program to ask why taxpayers are paying 10X the tuition at State U for a "college" education.
 
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