Military academies continue to attract Judge grads

Friday, Jun. 06, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — Since 2000, 11 Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduates have accepted appointments to the nation’s military academies. 

This year, Kendrick Nafus will join that list, having accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. 

While Nafus reports this summer to join Dylan Cawdery (JMCHS Class of ’10) and Will Huntsman (Class of ’11), two other Judge Memorial alums graduated from the Naval Academy over Memorial Day weekend and were commissioned with the rank of ensign. 

Isaac Losee (JMCHS Class of ’10) graduated with a degree in oceanography and a minor in Japanese. He was a four-year letter winner for Navy track and field. He reports this summer to San Diego, Calif., with a career assignment of surface warfare, posted to the USS Independence. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Alec, is a member of the Judge Memorial Class of 2014. 

Joining Losee in the Navy Class of 2014 is Jon M. Huntsman III (JMCHS Class of ’09), who graduated with a degree in political science and with a career assignment as Navy pilot. After a stint back at Annapolis this summer teaching underclassmen and assisting with the Plebe Summer, he will report to Pensacola, Fla. to begin pilot training. 

“One of the hardest things attending the academy is getting through the day-to-day,” Losee said. “It made it much easier for both Jon and me that we had a whole school and an alumni base praying for us and pulling for us back at Judge. Any time we went back to visit, we were welcomed and embraced. That meant so much.” 

Huntsman also acknowledges that the Judge Memorial  community helped him succeed.

“I am where I am today – on my way to being a Navy pilot – because of the support I received at Judge, particularly from Rick Bartman,” Huntsman said. “It took me a while to get on track and I really needed someone who could see my potential to light a spark, and he did that for me. I couldn’t be more excited to see what my future holds.”   

Nafus will mark the 11th Judge student in recent years to attend a military academy. In addition to Cawdery, Losee, and the Huntsman brothers at the Naval Academy, currently at the United States Military Academy at West Point are Alexis Martinez (’10) and Jack Barnett (’12). Recent graduates from the United States Air Force Academy are Jesse Horton (’05), Kyle Meakins (’04), Chris Stepanek (’00) and Matt Thorne (’08).  

As one of the academy’s recruiters recently told Bartman, this is a significant record: “A high school in Utah can expect an appointment to a service academy once every six years. This roster of inductees from Judge is a remarkable record of scholars and service, one few other schools can claim.”

In explaining his decision, Nafus, 2013-2014 Student Body Secretary, said, “I had a number of fantastic options and in comparing those options, the Naval Academy was ultimately the best choice for me. It is a true Renaissance education, offering study in math, science, history, humanities, athletics and so much more. I plan to major in either electrical or mechanical engineering and hope, one day, to become a Navy pilot like Jon. I feel like my opportunities with Navy are limitless.”

Describing a patriotic and emotional graduation weekend at Judge Memorial, Bartman said, “My wife, Marianne, and I were able to attend Isaac and Jon’s induction in July 2010, and having the opportunity to join them and their families for this graduation was very special. Coming full circle with these men was a gift, and both have grown remarkably over their four years. All of us at Judge could not be more proud of Isaac and Jon. Their accomplishments and service are an inspiration."

Marianne Bartman is the JMCHS director of communications.