NStar Articles

4 min read

The Beat Goes On: Navy Beats Helps Set the USNA Music Scene

By Bill the Goat on Mar 3, 2026 8:30:00 AM

Summary:

Navy Beats is a midshipman-led music and DJ production club that blends creative expression with leadership development. Originally launched as a radio station in the 1960s, it now supports Yard events with live DJ performances and produces music in-studio.

Tucked inside the historic walls of the U.S. Naval Academy is a creative pulse that’s been keeping time for decades. Navy Beats, one of the Academy’s most dynamic extracurricular activities, blends tradition, technology, and pure passion for music - proving that even in a regimented environment, creativity thrives.

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3 min read

Midshipman Lily Williams Earns Her SAR Certification

By Bill the Goat on Oct 2, 2025 9:53:57 AM

Summary:

Midshipman 1/C Lily Williams completed one of the Navy’s toughest training programs - Search and Rescue (SAR) school - and emerged as class leader after weeks of intense physical and mental challenges. Her experience reflects how the Naval Academy prepares future officers through high-stakes, hands-on training that builds leadership, resilience, and readiness for service.

The pool was cold, the instructors were unrelenting, and the first week of summer training seemed designed for one purpose only: to make candidates quit. For Midshipman 1/C Lily Williams, that was exactly the point. She hadn’t signed up for Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) school in Jacksonville, Florida, expecting it to be easy - she had signed up to be tested.

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4 min read

How to Sponsor a USNA Midshipman

By Bill the Goat on Mar 26, 2025 8:30:00 AM

Summary:

The U.S. Naval Academy Sponsor Program pairs Annapolis-area families with midshipmen to provide encouragement, stability, and a local support system during their demanding Academy years. The program strengthens community ties, enhances the midshipman experience, and plays a vital role in officer development, making it a deeply rewarding way for civilians to give back.

Have you ever thought about opening your home - and your heart - to a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman? If you live in the Annapolis area, enjoy meeting impressive young leaders, and want to give back in a meaningful way, the USNA Sponsor Program may be exactly what you’re looking for. Rooted in tradition and community pride, this program connects local families with midshipmen and offers support during one of the most demanding chapters of their lives.

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