Chatham Graduate Honored By Congresswoman

CHATHAM, NJ - Sean Lee has had a busy few months, the newly-minted Chatham High School graduate was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, he penned a comprehensive piece on climate change and Friday was honored by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

Sherrill honored the 16 students from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District were appointed and accepted offers to United States military service academies. Sherrill hosted the reception at her Parsippany District Office to honor the students, who will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

“It was an honor to meet the students in our community who have stood up to serve our country,” said Sherrill. “I commend these young men and women on their shared sense of duty and their commitment to our values. They represent the best and brightest of New Jersey, and I wish them the best of luck as they begin their service.”

The NJ-11 students attending military service academies:

• Antonio Zaccaria, West Essex High School, Fairfield – U.S. Naval Academy
• Arush Naidu, Delbarton High School, Randolph – U.S. Naval Academy
• Douglas Gologorsky, Montville High School, Montville – U.S. Naval Academy
• Nicolas Galup, St Peter’s Preparatory School, Caldwell – U.S. Naval Academy
• Sarah Williams, Morristown-Beard School, Morristown – U.S. Naval Academy
• Sean Lee, Chatham High School, Chatham Borough – U.S. Naval Academy
• Stuart Fechhelm, West Morris Mendham High School, Mendham Borough – U.S. Naval Academy
• Russell Eberding, U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, Sparta – U.S. Military Academy
• Samuel Eden, Mountain Lakes High School, Mountain Lakes – U.S. Military Academy
• William Hart, Madison High School, Madison – U.S. Military Academy
• Patrick McGurrin, Sparta High School, Sparta – U.S. Military Academy
• Colin Morgan, West Orange High School, West Orange – U.S. Military Academy
• Kai Youngren, Newark Academy, Florham Park – U.S. Military Academy
• Sarah Houser, Morristown High School, Morristown – U.S. Air Force Academy
• Connor Collins, Mountain Lakes High School, Boonton Township – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• Grace Rose, Passaic Valley High School, Totowa – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Lee will be inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2023 on Thursday and will begin six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer.

"Sean is intrinsically motivated by his thirst for knowledge and, despite his outstanding academic record, has maintained a sense of humility," Chatham High School counselor Mark Maka said. "He is a respectful young man that values education at its very core and has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and teachers alike."

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy's "plebe" or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer. Last year the Naval Academy received over 16,000 applications for the Class of 2023.

During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet or music, and restricted access to cell phones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.

The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenge, which awaits them.

As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical or professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, and military law. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 25 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

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