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Today, May 22, the freshman class of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD took part in a long standing school tradition called the Herndon Monument Climb. Upon successful completion, the freshman earn the title of "fourth class midshipmen" at the end of their plebe year.
The object of the climb is to successfully remove the "dixie cup" hat from the top of the Herndon Monument and replace it with an upperclassmen's hat. The catch? The monument is covered in approximately 50 lbs of vegetable shortening.
The plebes strip down and remove their shoes as they try to build a human pyramid around the 21 ft obelisk. In order to reach the top, the first year students have to figure out how to successfully build multiple human layers by standing upon each other and linking limbs.
The purpose of the event is to demonstrate all of the teamwork, perseverance, and courage that the plebes have gained in their first year at the academy. This year freshman Joe McGraw was the lucky plebe who, with the incredible strength and help of his fellow classmates, successfully placed the upperclassemen's hat on top of the monument in 2:21:21.
The first recorded time: Class of 1962- 12 min.; The fastest recorded time: Class of 1972- 1 min. 30 sec. (no grease); The longest time: Class of 1998- 4 hr. 5 min. 17 sec.
Congratulations Class of 2020!
#WJZ NOW: Finally!!! "Plebes No More" @NavalAcademy Herndon Monument Climb. Close to 2 hours 30 mins.
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