The U.S. Naval Academy's class of 2027 participated in the annual Herndon Monument Climb on May 15 in Annapolis, Maryland. This tradition, dating back to 1940, marks the end of the first year for recruits, known as "plebes." Approximately 1,175 recruits worked together to scale the 21-foot greased obelisk and replace a "Dixie cup" hat with the upperclassmen's formal cover.
Under rainy skies and battling hoses spraying cold water, recruits formed a human pyramid. After two hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds, 20-year-old Ben Leisegang from California managed to replace the hat. Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids congratulated the midshipmen, who will now be known as fourth class midshipmen.
Originally begun in 1940, the Herndon Climb's tradition of placing an officer’s cap atop the obelisk started in 1947. The fastest recorded climb without grease took one minute and 30 seconds by the class of 1972, while the fastest time since greasing began was 20 minutes by the class of 1975. The longest climb took four hours and five minutes by the class of 1988. Admission to the Academy is highly competitive, with an eight percent acceptance rate.