HS Graduation Ceremony

CurrentMid said:
Yes as a matter of fact - with the largest $$ amount. Scholarship recipient and award amount was named. No we didn't parade up on state. It was read and a huge applause was given by the audience and the end of the list with the total amount. I received many congratulations in private.

The awards that kids got for high school achievements were presented, on stage by the principal and award presenter. Nice photo taken for us and the yearbook. Personally that is were I basked in my achievements, and yes I will admit one of those awards was probably based on my college choice of USNA (DAR Good Citizenship Award - 3rd highest award given at my school.) My other award was based on every facet of my HS career, sports, community service, service to school, Arts and scholarship - if you will that is what earned my my appointment, I was recognized for my HS accomplishments NOT for going to a SA, the recognition was appropriate for that moment in time. Every one of my graduating class was accepted to 4 year college/Universities, none of us deserved an award for going to college - it was expected of us all. Why should a SA be singled out? What about the above posters comment about the person going to Stanford and wants to serve her county in the State Department?

That is what I am talking about with arrogance, that because were are "accepted" to a SA we are somehow better than our HS peers? Humility can go a long way and in some cases save egg on a face (Kid two years in front of me in HS never made it past two weeks of Plebe summer - bet his parents were glad that no big award had been presented! - Yes we are a bunch of ringknockers and many do have that certain attitude but save it for we graduation/commissioning.
Click to expand...
Currentmid, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Yes, the "better than anyone else attitude" is very bad. The awarding of the "scholarship" puts SA appointees on the same footing as everyone else with a scholarship, that was my point. So, I think we are all in agreeement. Thank you for the advice, it makes sense. I think as a whole, we are talking about recognition for accomplishment (getting the scholarship to wherever) in whatever way the school "usually" does it. By the way the assembly is called "Award and Scholarship Assembly."
Currentmid, thank you for posting on here for us, your advice (remain humble but work hard as illustrated by your other awards and the fact that you are actually making it through the academy) shows that you are an outstanding young man or woman! Congratulations! I hope my son will meet you at USNA or in the fleet someday and that he will learn from you!
 
Last edited:
I really enjoyed reading these posts. I agree that it's really what the kids want, and it's important to recognize their accomplishments, they've worked hard and deserve all the recognition.

I also agree about the enlisted folks. They are the backbone of the military, and will be serving with little privilege, unlike our kids that going into the officer ranks. They should get a standing ovation.

I would like to mention, that I went the enlisted route, and at the time I went in, it was not long after Vietnam, and the military was not a popular option. I was the only person enlisting out of my class. There was one other, but he pulled out before taking the oath.

I'll never forget the booing from the audience when it was mentioned that I selected the Marine Corps, and I'll never forget my principal, Mr. Arnie, handing me my diploma and telling me that I'll never amount to anything.

For those kids who don't have the support, like I didn't. Just believe in youself. I did. I rose through the ranks, loved my job and found it richly rewarding. I learned so much about leadership, discipline, self confidence, taking initiative, etc. And now, I'm now the CEO of my own company, and Mr. Arnie, well, he's sitting at home on Social Security.

I did visit him a few years later, as a Marine Sergeant. I visited the school in my dress blues, and I think 5 or 6 kids enlisted into the Marines that year. And yes, he remembered and apologized. I think I told him no apologies were necessary. It was a difficult time for us all. He just smiled.

JB
 
It IS a Big Deal

As an accomplishment, being offered an appointment to a service academy IS a big deal. It ranks on par with acceptance by an Ivy League school, Stanford, Cal Tech, Carnegie-Mellon, etc.

The really important piece, however, is the committment, to serve our country, rather than one's self.

For many, this will be the last opportunity for their classmates, their classmates parents and the school faculty and administration to congratulate and be a part of this process. Commissioning, while indicative of four grueling years of hard work, will happen away from these folks who have known and helped shape this future leader. This is an opportunity to represent the academy to the community. It is appropriate to do so with humility and the knowledge that the real work begins on 1 July.
 
The really important piece, however, is the committment, to serve our country, rather than one's self.
Click to expand...

You are right but that commitment does not begin until second class year. Up until then then we can walk away just like our civilian counterparts can walk away from their Ivy league scholarships.

There are many other ways to Represent the Academy to our peers and the HS community than being singled out with big presentation on stage. Trust me - I probably got more personal accolades being read in the list of scholarships with the USNA value at $280,000 (I seem to remember that was the number presented.)

All I am trying to present that you all need to listen to what your kid wants not what you want for for kid. My BGO was very supportive of my schools policy, he did say many schools in our area were doing similar Awards ceremonies.

I personally liked the way it was done at my schools Honor Assembly, I would have been uncomfortable having the award presented with a big to do. I am doing what I am doing as I have a love for this country. It is certainly not about me.

jbrown - thank you and your wife for your years of service. Hopefully your daughter will join the class of 2013 (Maybe I will have the priveledge of meeting her this summer :smile:)
 
Not About You

CurrentMid said:
...All I am trying to present that you all need to listen to what your kid wants not what you want for for kid. ...

...I would have been uncomfortable having the award presented with a big to do. I am doing what I am doing as I have a love for this country. It is certainly not about me....
Click to expand...

CurrentMid, thank you for choosing to serve and for expressing your love for our country.

Your understanding that it is not about you is completely correct. You may be uncomfortable when someone thanks you at the airport or elsewhere in public. When you have the opportunity to educate folks, do so. Sometimes you don't, and all you have time for is, "You're Welcome." I'm confident that you understand that to many who will see you both in uniform and out, you represent not only the academy but the US Navy and the rest of the military as well. You're right, it is not about you.
 
I've been a teacher for many years, and now am the principal. I can tell you that in OUR school, we all love the Senior Awards Banquet--because it's like "The Truth Comes Out" night. We recognize many scholarship awards winners. We recognize many community service contributions. We recognize MANY acheivements of our graduating class throughout their four years at our school. We recognize academic excellence, leadership, hard work and natural talent.

A few years back, we had a star quarterback who was in the paper every week, and he didn't get a single award that night. His parents were LIVID. It certainly wasn't planned that way. But the athletic awards that night are for sportsmanship, fair play, hustle and stellar achievement. The kids who got awards that night were NOT the kids who'd been in the paper after every Friday night. They were the kids who lifted every lift, ran every sprint, knew every play...and sometimes cheered from the bench.

We have some awards presented by members of the community, including BGO's who come to present USNA Appointments, NAPS appts and Foundation scholarships. We have others. We keep it moving, and recognize acheivements and honors in many categories.

I would never dream of leaving a SA appointment out of a lineup like ours. But it's not the highlight (for everyone). It is one among many.

That night, in my mind, is the highlight of their high school careers. It's the night we publicly acknowledge all the hard work, dedication, compassion, and spirit of the seniors.

I love it. I know not all schools have their ceremony like ours, and that's a shame.
 
On the CGA site this is actually a task to complete for the month of May:


Contact your Admissions Officer if you would like a service member to present your appointment certificate during your high school awards ceremony

Decisions / Actions : Contact your Admissions Officer if you would like a service member to present your appointment certificate during your high school awards ceremony.


Kudos to them!
 
J collinsActually in addition to the DoDMERB difference
most regular colleges do not require you pass the PFE/CFA,
most regular colleges do not require you have leadership skills
most regular colleges do not require you have a Congressional Nomination to get in, and that in itself is ANOTHER hoop you had to jump thru.
most regular colleges have higher acceptance rates then the SA's
most colleges do not require you go spend your summers "physically preparing for what happens next"
most colleges do not pay you (even if it is a small amount) to attend their college
Click to expand...

1. a few minutes of your time - I did it at summer seminar not time sink there. If you are having to work at it, PRT's are going to be your thorn. Think about the art students who have to submit a portfolio, of the voice students who have to audition. I had one LAC that wanted graded samples of writing in English, History, and a Science Lab.
2. Actually the Ivy's and Little Ivy's do require leadership and other values or they would have a boring student body of all 4.0's.
3. No big deal - one more application and interview. What happens after that is not any different than what happens in a civilian admin office - you either get the nod or you don't.
4. State U's yes Selective LAC's and Ivys are on par.
5. Summer school to get out in 4 years, study abroad programs that only fit in the summer, internships so you are employable (kind of sound like summer training)
6. I received two full rides - no money required to attend. USNA requires money you just do not see it coming from your bank account. I believe the state of Georgia gives all B students free tuition to attend a public state college/university. Who pays for books, who takes out the ACE loan and has to pay it back. Who pays for all my squad outings that help to bond my plebes, Anyone who assumes this place is free is in for an awakening.

You see these as all major differences - I see it as bit different, but no more work. The process of getting to a SA was no different for me or most of my friends at USNA than the process to apply to the types of schools our peers applied to. Procedure a bit different but effort about the same.
 
Last edited:
kaullman said:
As an accomplishment, being offered an appointment to a service academy IS a big deal. It ranks on par with acceptance by an Ivy League school, Stanford, Cal Tech, Carnegie-Mellon, etc.

The really important piece, however, is the committment, to serve our country, rather than one's self.

For many, this will be the last opportunity for their classmates, their classmates parents and the school faculty and administration to congratulate and be a part of this process. Commissioning, while indicative of four grueling years of hard work, will happen away from these folks who have known and helped shape this future leader. This is an opportunity to represent the academy to the community. It is appropriate to do so with humility and the knowledge that the real work begins on 1 July.
Click to expand...
Well said, Kaullman.
 
Current Mid - Thank You, for the gratitude to my family, and also because you to have chosen to serve.

I'm sure you'll meet her. She has everything but the waiver for her eyesight, which is correctable to 20/20, she's nearsighted.

She spoke to Yvonne yesterday and was told that the USNA Senior Medical Officer already made his recommendation, but the Superintendent needs one more, and they are hoping to have that soon.

We're very excited for her to attend the USNA. We come from a very, very long line of military service. But she'll be the first officer. I was the first Marine, and my wife was the first female to serve. But prior to that, every generation since we immigrated to the country has served. But everyone is more excited about her, than before. It's kind of a big jump in what the family tradition has been. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Anyhow, thanks again.

jb
 
BGO is a Blue and Gold Officer. Here is a link that explains a bit more.

Once you get your application filled out and you're officially a candidate, you'll meet yours and they are a great source of info and mentoring.

https://www.usna.com/SSLPage.aspx?pid=433
 
CurrentMid said:
Yes as a matter of fact - with the largest $$ amount. Scholarship recipient and award amount was named. No we didn't parade up on state. It was read and a huge applause was given by the audience and the end of the list with the total amount. I received many congratulations in private.

The awards that kids got for high school achievements were presented, on stage by the principal and award presenter. Nice photo taken for us and the yearbook. Personally that is were I basked in my achievements, and yes I will admit one of those awards was probably based on my college choice of USNA (DAR Good Citizenship Award - 3rd highest award given at my school.) My other award was based on every facet of my HS career, sports, community service, service to school, Arts and scholarship - if you will that is what earned my my appointment, I was recognized for my HS accomplishments NOT for going to a SA, the recognition was appropriate for that moment in time. Every one of my graduating class was accepted to 4 year college/Universities, none of us deserved an award for going to college - it was expected of us all. Why should a SA be singled out? What about the above posters comment about the person going to Stanford and wants to serve her county in the State Department?

That is what I am talking about with arrogance, that because were are "accepted" to a SA we are somehow better than our HS peers? Humility can go a long way and in some cases save egg on a face (Kid two years in front of me in HS never made it past two weeks of Plebe summer - bet his parents were glad that no big award had been presented! - Yes we are a bunch of ringknockers and many do have that certain attitude but save it for we graduation/commissioning.
Click to expand...

Good for you Current Mid! As one of those obscenely proud parents, my son received the DAR "Good Citizenship" award (this year) also and the school will probably not even mention that award, or his USMAPS scholarship but...who cares, he's excited and that's all I care about :biggrin:
 
I'm sorry, but I beg to disagree. My experiences with my peers have led me to the conclusion that anyone who is going to any sort of military path is doing more with their life than 75% or more of their graduating class, depending on the school of course.

With most people who are graduating with me, they are going to college and will party a good portion of their first 2 years away. What is your first year going to be like if you take any sort of military path after graduating, be it enlisting, going to a SA, going to an SMC, or going through ROTC? They will be working through harder conditions in their first year than most will in their life. If they do take that commission then they will have earned more, in my opinion, and done something that meant more than, again, most ever do. So by simply going to a SA you are chosing the path less tread and challenging limits most don't know they have. I think Reagan said it best, and feel free to replace "Marines" with the apropriate title: "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985.

It may not be what he meant by the letter, but I don't think he would disapprove
 
Mine too was his school's DAR Good Citizen.

Maximus - love your attitude. Really in the end who cares what others think and what awards are made public. As long as our Kids are excited and have our unconditional support life is good!

It is good to be an obscenely proud parent!
 
The DAR gal called our house on Super Bowl Sunday to ask why we hadn't responded to their award of the "Good Citizenship" award to our son yet? My wife was like...."What?" DAR gal: "Didn't Mrs. Soandso tell your son about the award and that we need him to finish up the paperwork to send his essay in for the National award stuff?" Wife: "Um...no."

Good news is we caught it and I couldn't care less about the school other than my son loves his teachers. Even his JROTC unit is not excited about his Appointment, at the Unit dinner a few weeks back, my son asked his Commander why he was not included in the list of students with an above 3.0 GPA (he's almost 4.0 this year) and he told my son he didn't need the recognition, most know he's a good student and he didn't want to take the spotlight away from the other kids.

We plan on being real low key at the Graduation and then off to our own celebration after. :thumb:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top