This newsletter is your go-to resource for staying informed and connected to our Warrior community. Feel free to pass it along to friends and family and don’t forget, past issues are always available on our website.
This week, senior parents received a special video message, a heartfelt and personal invitation to Commencement, straight from their Cadet. We hope seeing your son’s smiling face and hearing his words filled you with excitement for the milestone ahead.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus next week to celebrate the Class of 2025. If you haven’t already, please be sure to RSVP and plan accordingly for the weather. While San Diego is usually warm and sunny, "May Gray" can bring cooler temps, cloud cover, and even a light shower, so we recommend dressing in layers and bringing an umbrella, just in case!
School Principals' Day
ANA celebrated our Dean of Academics, Dr. Patrizia Zary, during School Principal's Day. The Cadets presented flowers and honored her with a proper Cadet Celebration during lunch formation. Thank you for all your hard work, Dr. Z. We are grateful to you!
Warrior Robotics Shines on the World Stage
Warrior Robotics represented Army and Navy Academy on the global stage this week at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, and they did us proud! Cohen Lu, Tyler Hansen, Arav Gupta, Nicolas Chestnut, and Ziteng Chen competed in the JROTC National Science Division, going head-to-head with some of the top robotics teams from around the country.
Their performance was outstanding, and here’s what they accomplished:
Made it to the semifinals (top 8 teams!)
Ranked 25th out of 70+ teams during qualifications
Pulled off a thrilling quarterfinal comeback win, 37-33
The event, hosted by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, brought together teams from over 30 countries. Powered by major STEM sponsors like NASA, Google, Amazon, Tesla, Eaton, and MathWorks, the competition challenges students to design, build, and program a robot for a new game each year. This year’s challenge, “High Stakes,” tested teamwork, strategy, and fast thinking.
Outside the arena, our Cadets got a real taste of Dallas by exploring downtown, enjoying some authentic Texas BBQ, and soaking in the energy of a truly international STEM event.
This trip was the culmination of months of hard work and commitment. We’re proud of these Cadets for their performance and the way they represented the Warrior spirit.
Celebrating Excellence at the ANA Achievement Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, May 13, the Academy hosted its annual Achievement Awards Ceremony, honoring Cadets who have distinguished themselves in academics, leadership, athletics, and citizenship throughout the year.
Led by Dr. Patrizia Zary, Dean of Academics, the event recognized outstanding Cadets across departments, including English, Math, Science, Social Science, World Languages, Fine Arts, Aviation, Culinary Arts, Business, JROTC, and more. Special honors were also awarded for leadership, discipline, and character, including prestigious scholarships and ROTC awards.
If you missed the ceremony live, you can watch the full event on our YouTube channel to celebrate these achievements and experience the pride, tradition, and purpose that define our Corps of Cadets.
Congratulations to all award recipients!
Final Exam Schedule Available
The Final Exam Schedule has been posted. Please review it carefully and help your Cadet prepare for a strong finish to the semester!
Senior Exhibition Projects
On Friday, May 2nd, our Senior Cadets proudly presented their Senior Exhibition Projects to an audience of Staff, Faculty, and Community members. This exciting event marked the grand finale of months of dedication, creativity, and perseverance. With the guidance of their mentors, our seniors poured their hearts into their projects, and it showed! We celebrate their achievements and the impressive work they’ve accomplished. Bravo, Seniors!
AP Testing Continues May 12-16
Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be completed this week. Families, please encourage your Cadet to stay on top of review materials and maintain healthy habits. Rest, routine, and preparation go a long way in supporting success during testing. Best of luck to all our AP students!
Year in Review Ceremony
Join us this afternoon at 2:15 PM in the Chapel for our Year in Review ceremony, a cherished end-of-year tradition. Highlights include the Pass the Gavel ceremony, where our current Honor Council members officially transfer leadership to next year’s council, the dedication of this year’s Yearbook to a faculty member, and the distribution of the ANA Talisman, a showcase of Cadet art and writing. Don’t miss the celebration!
Chromebook Return
As the school year comes to a close, we’re inviting senior Cadets to consider donating their Chromebooks if they no longer need them.
Donated devices will be added to our loaner pool to support Cadets next year who may be without a Chromebook due to damage, repairs, or temporary needs. This simple act can make a big difference in helping fellow Warriors stay connected and prepared for class.
Parents, we appreciate your help in encouraging your senior to participate in this meaningful initiative. Thank you for your continued support!
Book Buy-Back Underway
Cadets, are you ready to clear out those textbooks? The bookstore will be in Bliss Café during the following times for Book Buy-Back:
Tuesday, 5/20: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, 5/21: 2:30 - 5:00 PM
Thursday, 5/22: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Can’t make those times? Starting May 15, you can bring your books directly to the bookstore for processing.
Please note:
Only books in sellable condition are eligible for credit
Novels and workbooks are not part of the Buy-Back program
The bookstore will closed for the year on May 23, at 3:00 PM
Take advantage of this opportunity to turn in your books and earn credit before you head out for summer!
Warrior Athletics Update
Warrior Baseball plays its final home game tomorrow, May 16, at 3:00 PM against Pacific Ridge on Maffucci Field. Before the first pitch, we’ll honor our five graduating seniors during Senior Recognition. We hope to see you there to help celebrate their contributions!
Our Track & Field team heads to Valley Center on Saturday, May 17, for the CIF Division 3 Championships. Events begin at 10:00 AM, with eight Cadets competing in both field and track events.
A big shoutout to Zavier Leatherman, who is competing in the Rugby Youth Championships this weekend with Carlsbad Thunder Rugby. We’re cheering him on!
We also want to celebrate the incredible journey of our inaugural ANA Boys Volleyball team. From day one to their first playoff appearance, the team showed remarkable growth in skill, confidence, and teamwork. Their commitment transformed them into a competitive, cohesive unit and laid a strong foundation for the future of Warrior Volleyball.
A heartfelt thank-you to Coaches Duane Destefani, Jo Milo, and Jeff Palacios for their outstanding leadership, patience, and mentorship throughout the season. Your guidance played a vital role in the team’s success.
Lastly, it was an honor to host representatives from every Ivy League school over the past two weeks as they visited campus to meet with our student-athletes. This is a proud reflection of the excellence and potential within Warrior Athletics. Big shout-out to Coach B for his leadership and vision!
Build the Brotherhood: Bring a Friend to Army and Navy Academy!
Have you heard about our Bring-a-Buddy program? Cadets, you can refer a friend to the Academy and receive a $1000 Bookstore credit for every verified enrollment!
You can help a friend begin their Warrior journey today at:
Take advantage of the time between the Promotion Ceremony and the Change of Command Parade to pack up your Cadet’s belongings. A large dumpster will be available for discarding unneeded items, and Cadet bags will be staged by the blacktop area (parade meeting point) the morning of May 22. You’re also welcome to begin loading gear after the BBQ on May 21 to ease traffic and simplify departure.
Summer Storage
To help make Move-Out Day run smoothly, families are encouraged to begin taking home unneeded items now. If your Cadet needs on-campus summer storage, please complete this form and return it to their TAC Officer by May 15, 2025. Cost is $125. Thank you for helping us prepare for a smooth end to the school year!
Thank you for your cooperation as we wrap up the year and celebrate our Cadets’ achievements!
Changes in Laundry Services Provider
Army & Navy Academy has requested that DropMint close all laundry accounts at the end of the school year. Whether your student’s account still has a balance in it, or there is an amount owed for services rendered, DropMint will be reaching out. Please watch for a messaging from DropMint regarding your students account and respond accordingly.
RSVP for Commencement Events
Join us in celebrating your Cadet’s achievements during Commencement Week! Be sure to RSVP using the button below to help us prepare for each event. Some activities are free of charge, while others require a ticket, but all require an RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable Warrior Weekend in Las Vegas, August 22-24 packed with school spirit, connection, and celebration. More details and RSVP information coming soon!
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
May 5-16 - AP Exams
May 15 - Year in Review Ceremony: Yearbooks/Talisman/Pass the Gavel
May 19-22 - Final Exams
May 19-23 - Commencement Week
Aug 4 - Move In for Athletes, Cadre, and ESOL Cadets
Aug 11 - Move in for New Cadets
Aug 18 - Move in for Returning Cadets
Aug 22-24 - Warrior Weekend in Vegas
Help Us Share the Warrior Experience!
Your feedback makes a difference! If our Academy has impacted your life or your son’s journey, please take a moment to leave a review. Your words help others learn about the transformational experience we provide. Review us on Google,Yelp, Niche, Great Schools, and Boarding School Review today!
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. Stay in-the-know on ANA Athletics on Instagram at ArmyNavyAthletics.
Army and Navy Academy, 2605 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA, 888.762.2338