Most of the 25 Anne Arundel County midshipmen who graduated Friday from the U.S. Naval Academy chose to attend the institution mainly because they grew up close by or had a family connection.
At the end of Commissioning Week, the Capital Gazette asked many of them to reflect on their four years at the academy.
Charlie Brady, who is from Annapolis and frequented Navy football games growing up, said his grandfather went to the academy. Brady looks back on the decision to attend the Naval Academy as one that taught him to embrace a challenge.
“How to roll with the punches,” Brady said, when asked about his biggest lesson learned at the academy. “You might have a bad day or bad test or practice, but everyone here learns how to take some failure and move on.”
Brady, a 2020 St. Mary’s High school graduate, studied quantitative economics and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Friday.
18 Anne Arundel County residents graduated from the academy last year.
Charlie Kriel, a 2021 graduate of Severna Park High School, said he was inspired by his older brother, Sam, to attend the Naval Academy. Sam was a 2023 graduate.
Kriel, who captained the men’s soccer team, credited his time at the academy with giving him perspective on the strength of interpersonal relationships.
“Get to know people,” Kriel said. “Take the time to make bonds and form memories. Sometimes it’s not about what you know, but who you know.”
Mindful midshipmen
The recent graduates from Anne Arundel said the demanding nature of the academy — from I-Day, the first day of plebe summer, to Commissioning Week — requires midshipmen to operate effectively under pressure.
“Life is a roller coaster,” Arnold resident Luke Garner said. “There will always be ups and downs in life but the people who can stay calm and collected through the journey are the ones who will succeed and strive through life.”
Garner graduated from Broadneck High School in 2021. He said he was drawn to the academy for the opportunity to continue his tennis career and for the academic challenges.
Garner will soon depart for flight school in Pensacola, Florida, to become a Navy pilot.
Alexander Hoot, an Annapolis resident and 2021 Old Mill High School graduate, studied electrical and computer engineering.
“The academy offers unique challenges to every midshipman,” Hoot said. “I discovered how to identify stressors and respond in a productive way, in order to accomplish a diverse set of expectations.”
After completing basic training for surface warfare officers, Hoot will head to Rota, Spain, to assume leadership of a division aboard the USS Bulkeley, a guided-missile destroyer.
John Mandish, from Davidsonville, graduated from Severn School in 2020. He said his brothers inspired him to attend the academy and mental fortitude was the greatest strength he gained while there.
“There’s going to be challenges that stand in the way,” Mandish said. “Some of those challenges seem impossible and overwhelming but with the right mentality and surrounding yourself with the right people, anything can be achieved.”
Mandish will also depart for Pensacola, Florida, for flight school this summer.
Gracious graduates
The recent grads who grew up in “The Best Place – For All,” the county’s slogan, were quick to acknowledge the many individuals who helped them along the way to their budding military careers.
Emma Single, a 2020 Old Mill High School graduate and Millersville resident, is leaving for Mayport, Florida, to join the crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason.
“Growing up in Anne Arundel County was pivotal to my development as a young adult and midshipman,” Single said. “I could not have done this without the support of my loved ones — especially my parents — and the community.”
Christopher Crane, from Annapolis, graduated from Rockbridge Academy in 2021. The soon-to-be surface warfare officer is departing for Panama City, Florida, for dive school.
“I am grateful to God for the story that he is writing in my life,” Crane said. “It continues to surprise me and be an awesome adventure.”
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