ANNAPOLIS, MD - John Carroll School alumnus, Samuel William von Paris, ‘09, son of John and Patti von Paris of Upper Falls, graduated from the United States Naval Academy with Leadership and Merit and a degree in Quantitative Economics on Friday, May 23rd, before a crowd of over 30,000 attendees at Navy Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, MD.
The Naval Academy Class of 2014 included 784 newly-commissioned Navy ensigns and 265 Marine Corps second lieutenants. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, provided the commencement speech, calling on the newly commissioned officers to forge bonds with those they lead, to understand those who have different perspectives and to practice humility. “By virtue of your unique experiences here at the Naval Academy, you have much to be proud of and confident about," Hagel said, "but if confidence gives way to arrogance, both your superiors and subordinates will respond. Your actions will define you in the eyes of everyone around you."
Ensign von Paris, who was nominated for the Academy’s prestigious Admiral Dewey Award for outstanding performance in systems engineering and weaponry, will report to Naval Station Norfolk where he will be assigned to the USS San Antonio for the next two years. He will then attend nuclear power school in Charleston, SC.
“John Carroll provided an excellent education and foundation for our son Sammy. He was well prepared when he entered the Academy, and we thank all the JC teachers, coaches and staff at John Carroll for a job well done,” said his father. Sammy, recipient of The John Carroll School's Black & Gold award in 2009, is the 15th member of the von Paris family to graduate from John Carroll, including aunts, uncles and cousins, his father, John, ’77, and brother John, ’07 (pictured right).
