U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Celebrates Graduation of 473 Cadets, Highlighting Program's Impact on Future Leaders

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps recently celebrated the graduation of 473 cadets across the nation, a testament to the program's success in preparing young Americans for the challenges of adulthood and future careers. Among the graduates are individuals like Naval Academy plebe Luke Villarreal and Yale freshman Zakai Lian, whose achievements underscore the diverse paths cadets pursue after completing the program.

Andy Lennon, Executive Director of the Sea Cadets, highlighted the program's impact, noting that approximately half of the graduates choose to serve in the military, while others excel in science, engineering, public service, and entrepreneurship. The Sea Cadet program, which partners with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and industry leaders, offers more than 4,500 middle and high school students career training opportunities annually.

This year's graduates include Derek Opperman from Monroe, Michigan, who received appointments to both West Point and Annapolis, opting to become a Naval Academy midshipman. Jon Garfield of Cleveland, Ohio, credits his summer Sea Cadet shipboard seamanship training for his aspirations to become a Naval aviator and eventually a congressman.

The program's transformative effect is evident in stories like that of Cadet Chief Petty Officer Rowan Crilly, who joined during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a three-sport varsity athlete heading to college on an ROTC scholarship. Similarly, Cadet Chief Petty Officer Ethel Leizer from Pasadena, California, will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a dream she attributes to her Sea Cadet experiences.

Other notable graduates include Cadet Petty Officer Third Class Santiago Lobo, who discovered his passion for culinary arts during the program, and Cadet Chief Petty Officer Shivah Sundar, who plans to pursue medical school after leading 90 cadets as a battalion chief.

The Sea Cadet program offers advanced career training opportunities, such as Seabee Naval Construction Training and SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Training, further equipping cadets for future success. For more information on the program, visit https://www.seacadets.org.

As these 2025 graduates embark on their respective paths, their stories highlight the Sea Cadet program's role in fostering leadership, discipline, and resilience, preparing young adults to become the next generation of industry, military, and community leaders.