2008 Ring Dance

The Ring Dance for the Second Class is as much a right-of-passage as Herdon is for the fourth-class. At this very special event, Second Class Mids officially receive their class rings and have them blessed by dipping them into the "waters of the seven seas," a bowl of water collected from all seven seas. As the tradition now unfolds, Navy chaplains gather and mix water from the seven seas, then dip each ring into this water which symbolizes the mids being "wedded" to the Navy. It is a solemn tradition that the midshipmen take very seriously. Here, at this formal dance at the end of their junior year, Second Classmen are officially permitted to wear their class rings.

The Ring Dance itself is more akin to a "dining-in" than a prom, although if you have never been to a dining-in, a prom is a close analogy. The dance is a formal affair. Anyone in attendance will see the midshipmen at their spit-and-polish formal mess-dress best. The gowns worn by the ladies are breath-taking--very elegant and sophisticated. The dance begins with a dinner (with entree choices like filet mignon, chicken breast, grilled tuna, or grilled portabello mushrooms). After dinner, there is the dipping ceremony and dancing. If weather is favorable, the dance is held outside on the landing between Rickover and Nimitz . If the weather is not cooperative, it is moved inside of Dahlgren Hall. To conclude the dance, they have a spectacular fireworks show.

The Ring Dance was established as an Academy tradition in 1925. It replaced a more rowdy custom where the Second Classmen put on their rings after completing their final navigation examination. As the Second Class left the classroom building, the Firsties grabbed them and dragged them to Dewey Basin where they were then thrown into the Severn River. Unfortunately, in 1924 a Second Class midshipman named Leicester R. Smith did not come to the surface after being thrown into the water. He had apparently hit his head on the seawall and no one noticed that he did not come up. Midshipman Smith's drowning prompted the Academy to change the manner in which the midshipmen received their ring.

Chris and Kim Bordino

Chris and his date in Pink. Kimmie got to go also with her date, she is in the black and White gown.

May Baseball Here is Luke Roberts from Charlotte playing in a game earlier this season v. Coppin State
May USNA Bike Race The Air Force cycling classic was this past weekend in DC. Andrew Christian hit an unstable manhole... Army came and hit him as he was getting up... both of them picked up their bikes and ran to the finish line. Andrew didn't win his race... he was really disappointed. Navy won overall. Andrew gave it a valiant try.   Andrew just found out his bike is totaled.  It was cracked from the crash. The team is in CO for Nationals and he just saw the crack across the chain "something" no bike for him to ride in the national competition. What a bummer. He is going to try to build something he said...   gotta love our midshipmen!
Spring Track Meet We were up at the yard this weekend for the Patriot League Championship. Chris took a third in the hammer throw. This is the new indoor Track facility. It will be dedicated next week. Chris is also involved in the dedication of the building.     Mike Bordino
April Meeting at The Arroyo's
New NC Appointments Class of 2012
Here are the first three appointees together at the All Service Academy Day.
Udit Rathore and Gray Guthrie, both of Providence HS with Charlie Hetzel, Charlotte Catholic HS USNA Class of 2012
Charlotte Mids in Action
Also, my daughter, Grace Portigue, '11, 19th Co, will be coxing the women's 2nd Varsity Eight boat this Sunday in the Eastern Sprints Championship, an event for the top college programs on the east coast, to be held on the Cooper River in Camden, NJ.   The attached photos are from the first crew event of the year on the Schuykill River in Phillie. Barbara Meskill
	Pictures by Linda Christian
Bike Race at USNA 3/1/08
Bike race hosted by Navy at USNA and Davisonville for the Time trial. Navy swept the board. Mens A 1-2 win Ryan McFeely 1/C took 1st place, Andrew Christian 2/C took 2nd place in the Time Trial.  No small feat for Andrew after a bad crash the day before at hospital point.   Mens B, C took top wins. A terribly cold, windy, rainy day at hospital point. Sunny and cold on Sunday in Davisonville.
	Pictures by Barbara Hendricks
Some more pictures of Charlotte Midshipmen in action. I went to Baseball, Lacrosse and Sailing this weekend! Had loads of fun. Mary Hesler is on the Sailing team, they won the race I was watching, Navy had the Red numbers on their sails, 1,2 & 3. Mary was in 1.   Then just a few of William in the JV game, he scored his first goal in a Navy uniform! I couldn't get over to the bike race, next time.  I believe #23 is Ali Fisher from Iron City, NC.. [Ladies soccer was playing Army] [I was way up in the bleachers, best I could do with the sun going down!] Barbara

The First Bike Race of 2008 Season