By HEATHER MONGILIOCAPITAL GAZETTE |AUG 10, 2020 AT 5:04 PM
Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck has indefinitely postponed the Class of 2022 Parents’ Weekend, citing coronavirus pandemic concerns.
The parents’ weekend for second class midshipmen, or juniors, would have been Sept. 11-13.Advertisement
The Naval Academy is in the staggered process of bringing back its midshipmen, which will continue until mid-September. Currently, the plan is for all midshipmen to be in Annapolis for the fall, although 500 midshipmen, mostly third class, will be housed outside of the academy.
Since the reform of the brigade is occurring through September, holding the parents weekend could jeopardize the plans put in place to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19, Buck said in an letter to Class of 2022 parents.
“While difficult to make, I believe this is a necessary decision in order to safeguard the health and welfare of the entire Naval Academy family and local community,” Buck said in the letter.
The parents’ weekend is not necessarily canceled, according to the letter. The academy is looking for possible dates to have the event in the future.Paid Post E
“I know this is very disappointing for all of you to hear, and I appreciate your understanding and continued support as we learn to adapt and exist in uncharted, uncertain, and unprecedented times,” Buck said in the letter.
Parents’ weekend for the plebes was canceled this year, as well, due to COVID-19. The weekend was originally scheduled for Aug. 8-11.
Instead, plebes were allowed to use their cellphones and laptops to call and video family and friends for three and a half hours on Sunday, according to a Facebook post from the academy.Heather MongilioCONTACT
Heather Mongilio is the Report For America corps member with the Capital Gazette, where she covers military affairs. Mongilio previously reported at The Frederick News-Post and the Carroll County Times. She earned a master’s degree in science writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from American University.