Issue No.148 | 1.30.2025

Welcome back to another edition of the Weekly Warrior newsletter. 

In this issue, you'll find an athletics roundup, news from the Academics team on their new clubs, competitions, and Saturday school, Warrior Family Weekend updates and an introduction of our newest team member, Dr. Mark Ryan.

The Health Center would like to remind everyone that if your Cadet has experienced an injury and has been placed on activity restriction, it is essential that we receive written medical clearance from their healthcare provider before they can return to activities. This documentation is necessary to remove your Cadet from the activity restriction list. To ensure seamless continuity of care and the safety of our Cadets, please keep the Health Center updated with any progress notes, or changes, to your Cadet’s condition. Use the embedded email address above or call 760-547-5213.  

Thank you for being part of our Warrior community!

Like Army and Navy Academy, schools across the country are tackling their digital device policies, which is sparking legislation. Deb Schmill recently published an article with a foreword by Jon Haidt author of The Anxious Generation titled How to (and How NOT to) Mandate Phone-Free Schools: A guide for legislatures looking to make their states’ schools phone-free, and not just during class time.   It's a great read.  To see the policies in place or being discussed for your state, click here.

ANA welcomes Dr. Mark Ryan to the Academy's Leadership Team as our new Director of Accreditation and Strategic Planning. Dr. Ryan comes to ANA after having led two large public military academy charter schools in California for nearly two decades. He also served for many years on the Executive Committee and as President of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS), and is the author of the Handbook of Research on Character and Leadership Development in Military Schools. 

He will be working to help us prepare our Strategic Plan, as well as prepare for upcoming accreditation visits. 

In preparation for Parent/Teacher/TAC conferences over Warrior Family Weekend in March.  Starting Friday, January 31, at 8:00 am, you will be able to sign up for a time using this link. If you have any questions, contact Amber Smith at Amsmith@armyandnavyacademy.org

Mandatory Grading Period 4 (GP4) Saturday School for Cadets who are not meeting academic standards will occur in two weeks, on February 8, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Qualifying Cadets will automatically be assigned to Saturday School and will spend this time completing outstanding assignments. Saturday School for GP5 will be on March 29, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr Patrizia Zary, Dean of Academics at pzary@armyandnavyacademy.org or Ms. Maya Ramirez, Assistant Dean at mramirez@armyandnavyacademy.org.

Two new clubs have been established; Pickleball and Men of Distinction.  If you are a Cadet interested in joining either club or want to learn more, reach out to ASB directors Mrs. Victoria Fernandez or Mrs. Megan Hludzinski.  

Warrior Robotics is preparing for the VEX V5 Robotics Competition as part of the 8th Brigade Robotics JROTC Invitational this weekend.  They will be vying for awards in multiple categories including coding techniques, program design, robot build, innovation, creative engineering, sportsmanship, sportsmanship, and overall excellence. We wish the team of Cohen Lu, Tyler Hansen, Pietro Casciaro, Nicolas Chestnut, and Pratheek Ganta good luck! More details can be found here and here. 

The Speech Team will compete again next Saturday, February 8, at El Cajon Valley High School.  Dean Zary will be volunteering as a judge from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm but we are looking for a second volunteer to judge from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm.  If you are interested, please reach out to Mrs. Megan Hludzinski. State Qualifiers will be on February 21.

Join Us for a Weekend of Celebration & Connection on March 21-23, 2025.  Mark your calendars for an unforgettable Warrior Family Weekend, featuring our Golf Tournament & Gala on Friday, March 21, at The Links at Lakehouse, San Marcos, CA.

Start the evening with Happy Hour, followed by our Gala, featuring a buffet dinner, drinks, and an exciting auction led by Hollywood’s Jesse Shapiro. Enjoy music, a photo booth, and honor our Distinguished Warrior Award recipients and Elite Athlete Hall of Fame inductees. The night concludes with a coffee nightcap and a sweet treat! Round-trip transportation between ANA and The Links at Lakehouse will be available, with room accommodations for those staying overnight.

The weekend continues with military traditions and family fun, including:

• Military Review & Academic Awards Ceremony
• Mug Social for Alumni & Parents (Saturday)
• Pancake Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday)
• Alumni & Senior Cadet Long Gray Line Lunch (featuring Honorary Alumni, Golden "A" Awards & Silver Taps)
• Alumni Reunion Photos & Campus Tours
• Alumni vs. Cadet Softball Game

Don’t miss this special weekend to connect, celebrate, and support our ANA Cadets!  Questions? Contact Simone Brown at (760) 547-5274 or sbrown@armyandnavyacademy.org.

See the Weekend Schedule of Events below - we can't wait to celebrate with you!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Feb 5 - Lunar New Year celebration 6:00-8:00 pm.
• Feb 14 - End of Grading Period 4.
• Feb 17 - Washington's Birthday - no school.
• Feb 19 - Grading Period 4 Awards.  Livestreamed on YouTube.  Attend in person inside Duffield.
• Feb 20-23 - Harvard Model Congress (HMC).
• Feb 21 - Faculty and Staff Professional Development Day - no school.
• Feb 23 - 47th Military School Band and Choir Concert hosted on campus at ANA.  The concert begins at 2:00 pm.
• Mar 4 - JROTC Program of Accreditation (JPA) Inspection.
• Mar 5 - Annual ANA Talent Show from 2:15-3:30 pm.
• March 8-16 - Spring Break - no school.
• Mar 21-23 - Warrior Family & Alumni Weekend. See the schedule.

In addition to our social media channels, including Flickr where we store our Cadet captured photos,  you can find professional photography of Army and Navy Academy's major events and sports coverage in the embedded links.  Watch our military reviews and parades on our YouTube channel and all HOME football and basketball games on Hudl.com