A Shady Side Academy graduate is among an elite 7.5% of applicants admitted to the Class of 2025 Plebe Summer at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Porter Markel of Fox Chapel was inducted June 20 and will begin six grueling weeks of basic midshipman training in Annapolis, Md.
Markel is one of about 1,200 candidates admitted into the Academy this year.
The Naval Academy received more than 16,000 applications for the Class of 2025.
The rigors of Plebe Summer are designed to help freshmen prepare for an arduous academic year at the Academy. Students have no access to TV or internet and restricted use of cell phones — they are allowed three calls in six weeks.
Orientation offers basic skills in seamanship, navigation, sailing and handling yard patrol craft.
Team-building and professional development are targeted with swimming, martial arts, rock climbing and endurance courses.
Forty hours are dedicated to infantry drill instruction and five formal parades.
In 2020, Porter was selected by the Homestead American Legion Post 60 to receive a scholarship toward his studies.
At Shady Side Academy, Porter served as senior class president and was a two-sport varsity athlete, playing baseball and ice hockey.
The Naval Academy has been recognized as a Top 5 undergraduate engineering school and a Top 20 liberal arts college.
