Photo courtesy of USNA
Annapolis, MD - The annual Herndon Monument Climb for the Class of 2027 took place Wednesday, May 15. The Herndon Climb has long been seen as a milestone event for fourth class midshipmen (freshmen or “plebes”) at the Naval Academy. Demonstrating the teamwork and perseverance they have learned during their first year at the academy, the plebes build a human pyramid to remove the “dixie cup” cover (hat) at the top of the vegetable shortening-covered monument and replace it with an upperclassman’s cover. After successfully completing the Herndon Climb, the freshmen are no longer called plebes but “fourth class midshipmen.”
United States Naval Academy announced the results for the Class of 2027 on their social media platforms:
"Plebes No More!
Today, the #ClassOf2027 was officially promoted to 3/C midshipmen as they capped Herndon in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds! Herndon was capped by Midshipman 4/C Ben Leisegang from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and a proud member of 4th Company. After a rigorous year of plebe summer, academics, physical training, and professional military knowledge tests, the class of 2027 are #PlebesNoMore. Congratulations on completing this year of mental and physical development, and now those skills developed as a plebe will have to be translated into your future mentorship!
Photos: 1/C Jacob Madariaga & 2/C Chris Robertson"
