All Academy Ball

Heatherg21

Heatherg21

USNA '24 Mom BGO Bacon Lover Dog Lover
5-Year Member
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Jun 26, 2019
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DS and I just returned from our Ball. It was spectacular. Held in an aircraft hangar, with a Navy training plane at the entry for photos. Top Gun themed, great MC, Marine Honor Guard, toasts for the fallen and those serving and those who haven’t yet come home.

Introduction of all MIDN and Cadets. Parent club gift presentations to those about to commission. MIDN and Cadets dancing. When Naptown Funk came on I was so wanting the MIDN to reenact it.

The best part, besides seeing them so well dressed and relaxed, was the Keynote Speaker. Retired USNA alumnus (‘64) Capt J. Charles Plumb. It was a once in a lifetime experience for everyone in the room. Remarkable. He graciously gifted them all his book and took the time to autograph, chat and take pictures with them. Class act and a hero.

We all had so much fun. Way to go AZ!!! Congrats to all of those who attend the Service Academies and those who are recently appointed. Join your parent club!!
 
HopefulDad2026 said:
Sounds awesome.
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Due to Covid it was my first and my youngster’s first. It was so fun. It was classy and fun and reverent and emotional. And it was so special to be held somewhere other than a hotel ballroom.
 
Newbie to potential DD candidate, what's the Academy Ball all about? Is that local to your state or is that held everywhere? We're in MD.
 
That sounds amazing, @Heatherg21. Our son’s (AZ) Plebe ball was hosted by Army at Talking Stick and was phenomenal. Succeeding balls went down from there with each of the other branches putting on increasingly underwhelming events. His Firstie year, Army hosted again, and it was dismal, the equivalent of a bad wedding reception at an Embassy Suites. Those cadets/mids deserved so much more. So glad to hear the Navy AZ club put together a memorable evening and perhaps inspired the other clubs to up their game.
 
Sealion II said:
Newbie to potential DD candidate, what's the Academy Ball all about? Is that local to your state or is that held everywhere? We're in MD.
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Each state parent club can choose to host the ball. In AZ each Academy takes turns hosting. And we help each other. Active parent groups make better balls than others.
Typically held over winter break each active MIDN and Cadets from that state are invited. For us, parent club members get two tickets included for their membership. We plan and schedule the event. We invite all active mids and cadets from our state and all academies to attend. They can buy additional tickets for dates, family, mentors etc. Each state does it differently. From what I saw this year as a parent board member and as a participant last night, all states need to do this and up their game.

Less than 1% of our citizenry volunteers to serve. Nights like this explain why more should and what those who do sacrifice. It was emotional and beautiful. We should share this feeling and patriotism with others.
If you don’t have an active parent club, you can be the impetus to revitalize one.
 
VelveteenR said:
That sounds amazing, @Heatherg21. Our son’s (AZ) Plebe ball was hosted by Army at Talking Stick and was phenomenal. Succeeding balls went down from there with each of the other branches putting on increasingly underwhelming events. His Firstie year, Army hosted again, and it was dismal, the equivalent of a bad wedding reception at an Embassy Suites. Those cadets/mids deserved so much more. So glad to hear the Navy AZ club put together a memorable evening and perhaps inspired the other clubs to up their game.
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My youngster had seen pics of these events this year from fellow MIDN. He was so surprised and happy to experience last night. We want it that way moving forward.
 
My wife would like to go, but my son has zero interest. If was a true bucket list item for her, he would do it.

I wonder what % attends nationwide each year?
 
Strangely — or maybe not — DD has never expressed any interest in attending our state’s version. She’s otherwise very gung-ho about all things SA, and knows a few people at USMA and USAFA. And yet….
 
I never attended one when I was a Mid as they were hours from my house and I was never home due to basketball. I would of never went anyways. They are hit and miss, depends on how large of area it is, number or Mids/Cadets around, parental group involvement, etc. I attended one in my local area a few years ago and it was very nice, large hotel, fancy, etc. Not my favorite thing and have escaped them since. I remember a few if my close friends from large cities going to them over Xmas break, it seemed to be more about appeasing Mom more than an event they wanted to attend.
 
brewmeist said:
My wife would like to go, but my son has zero interest. If was a true bucket list item for her, he would do it.

I wonder what % attends nationwide each year?
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We did not have them when I was a mid and they did not have them when my son was a mid despite there being a pretty active Parents Club.
I did however serve as an escort at the International Debutante Ball in NYC a couple of times while on Christmas Leave from USNA.
 
I am sure the quality of the parent clubs who host are a huge factor. We had great attendance this year. Possibly from being locked up and folks wanting to celebrate their kiddos.
It may not be for everyone. My DH doesn’t do crowds or people or strangers. So he chose not to attend. It was important to me and my DS knew and came home with his dress mess. He had fun despite thinking he wouldn’t. Also, don’t get out much so the chance to buy and wear a dress was hard to pass up.

The AZ Parent club committee did a fantastic job. It was a great experience for those who don’t come from military backgrounds. And for some parents, who were veterans, they wore their ribbons and certainly seemed touched by the solemnity of the ceremonies. Proud veteran parents of current MiDN and Cadets were spotted dabbing their eyes.
Across the board the feedback from new parents across the SA spectrum was they loved it and wanted to attend the next one.
 
Went to the Minnesota All Service Academy Ball last night with our DGD and family and it was so inspiring and so much fun. The MN Parent club did an awesome job and the President of the Mess, General Joseph L Votel and the Vice made the event both educational and fun for the midshipmen, cadets and guests. The folding of the flag was very solemn and the Preparation of the Grog was hilarious. Dancing with our grandkids made for big smiles all around. I strongly recommend that all Academy students and family attend next year if you have a chance.
 
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