Although they composed only 15% of the school’s student body, women made up five of the Naval Academy’s top ten graduates, and four of its top six.
The top graduate was Mary Godfrey of Dousman, Wisconsin. Officials chose Godfrey based on her excellent grades and skillful performance in gymnastics and in the school’s glee club. The number two graduate, Josephine Nguyen, said that women students of the Academy have had to work very hard “to show we can succeed in the military.”
In addition to the top two spots, women also claimed numbers 4, 6, and 9. The Naval Academy determines class standing based on grades, military competency and conduct, and athletic achievements.