Hi everyone,
These last few weeks, especially the few days leading up to Junior Ring absolutely FLEW by. Although I've waited nearly 3 years to get my class ring, the whole thing still seems surreal. On Friday (April 23) before the ceremony, a couple of my rook buddies & I drove to Killington to meet the property manager for the house that we had rented for the weekend & to check the place out. It was absolutely gorgeous! We had a ton of bedrooms with just as many bathrooms, a hot tub, a beautiful view of Mt. Killington, a 2nd level deck for grilling, 2 kitchens, etc. This made for a relaxing place to stay for the weekend, which has been much needed with all the stress that occurs at a semester’s end!
After that, we headed back to campus to get ready for the ceremony. The juniors lined up on the side of the UP while the rest of the Corps marched on in honor of our class. There were many friends and alumni on campus as well – including my Platoon Sergeant from freshman year who we designated to march us down to the ceremony. Once at the ceremony, actually acquiring our rings was drawn out. There was a guest speaker, dinner, coffee, a social period, and playing of our 2007 rook video. Then, they brought forth the rings! The rings come in a wooden box that has the receiving cadet’s name on it and company. Inside are the ring(s), neck tabs for dress blues, and a challenge coin.
After the ceremony, company photos were taken and we headed back to the UP where the rest of the Corps and guests were awaiting our return. My rook buddies & I did some push-ups with our PSG and everyone was snapping pictures. Then it was time to change & head back to Killington! Friday night was spent in the hot tub, playing cards, and intermittently staring at my hand.
Saturday morning we had a BBQ at the house and then headed back to campus to get ready for the ball. There was a social hour before the ball and the juniors were lined up to go through the arc of swords. The ball was a great time and flew by. “Goodnight Saigon” was especially memorable for my rook buddies who were there.
After a night of dancing, my feet were hurting! Thus, I jumped right in the hot tub when we got back to Killington. The rest of the night was R&R and before we knew it—the weekend was over! We made breakfast for all of us at the house and had a group clean-up before heading back to Norwich.
Since then? I’ve had exams, finished my final project for Medical Ethics, had my last clinical of the semester...and now I am eager for final exams!
This summer I will be at Naval Air Station Jacksonville for the month of June working at the hospital there for my 1st class MIDN training. I am really excited about seeing Navy nursing in the works!
This has been a great year and I am looking forward to the next. It is scary to think that I will be a college SENIOR! Didn’t I just get here? Next year I will serve as a Platoon Leader for freshmen and as a section head in the Naval Battalion. Nursing will keep me busy as well and of course, I will need to start preparing for the NCLEX examination very soon.
Thank you to all of my readers, especially those who have followed me all 3 years that I have been on here.
Thank you to my Mom & Dad for being my biggest supporters. Inside my Norwich field ring reads “GIVE IT HELL” which my Dad has been telling me all along. I live by that each and every day.
To the class of 2013 (especially those of 09-3-2), you did a great job this year. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to serve as SSG cadre.
To the future class of 2014 – I’ll see you in August!
Very respectfully,
Holly
Original Foxtrot Company - Class of 2011
At the Ball with the 09-3-2 freshmen girls