Gray headed to the Naval Academy with help of Congressman Bishop

A young Cairo woman is on her way to the U.S. Naval Academy. Alexis Gray earner an appointment to the prestigious military college and has already reported to Annapolis, Maryland to begin her Plebe Summer.

The 2021 graduate of Cairo High School was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2026 on Thursday, June 30, to begin her six weeks of basic midshipman training.

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy's "plebe" or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer. Last year, the Naval Academy received over 16,0000 applications for the Class of 2026.

A cheerleader in high school, Gray, 18, was also a member of the N.J.R.O.T.C.

Lt. Cmdr. Alex Baker says he's not surprised that Congressman Sanford Bishop awarded Gray with an appointment.

"Alexis is one of the most determined, hard-working and focused cadets I have ever had in the Cairo N.J.R.O.T.C. program," said LCDR Baker, U.S.N. (Ret.) the program's senior instructor. "She came to me just before the start of her junior year and told me her dream was to go to the Naval Academy after she visited its campus during the summer. There are an incredible number of hurdles that an aspiring Naval Academy midshipman must clear to get an appointment; top grades in AP level classes, demonstrated athletic ability, poise during the interview process, engagement in a broad range of interests, community service and a nomination from a U.S. Congressman or Senator. And in Alexis' case, not only participating in the Navy J.R.O.T.C. program, but rising through the ranks to be the Commanding Officer of the Cairo unit."

The daughter of Heather and Shawn Gray took high school by the horns, earning the Top 10 academic ranking in her class all four years, serving as a student council representative, and working in the N.J.R.O.T.C. first as public affairs officer, then executive officer and finally commanding officer. In 2020, she was accepted to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar as well as Girls State, but the pandemic forced the cancellation of both opportunities, her mother says.

Alexis was also the first cheerleader in the N.J.R.O.T.C. program, according to her mother.

"Most Friday night home games, Alexis would lead or participate in the Color Guard parade prior to the game and quickly change into her cheer uniform," states Heather Gray.

Alexis also gives the high school program another first.

Baker says, "Alexis is the first cadet from the Cairo N.J.R.O.T.C. to make it to the Naval Academy in its 22-year history, so we are extremely proud of her accomplishments, and I look forward to her graduation from the Naval Academy in 2026."

But first, she has to get through the Plebe Summer where they have no access to television, movies, the internet and music, and only have restricted access to cell phones. They can make only three calls during the six-week period.

According to information from the academy, the pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenges that awaits them.

As the summer progresses, plebes assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft. They also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical, and professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, and obstacle, endurance, and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental, and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

"I would also like to add that our second cadet from the Cairo NJROTC, Jayden Twyman, has earned appointment to the Naval Academy Preparation School in Newport, R.I. and after a year there, will follow Alexis' path to the Naval Academy next year," says LCDR Baker. "(Alexis and Jayden) are shining examples of what students at Cairo High School can achieve if they are open to the possibilities that being a part of the N.J.R.O.T.C. can provide... In addition to the Naval Academy, there are a number of outstanding programs that are available to N.J.R.O.T.C. cadets to get scholarships to other schools if they are willing to put in the work that it takes to get them."

Baker also points out that 2020 C.H.S. graduate Matthew Peters attends the Naval Academy on a football scholarship.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen to be professional officers in the naval service.