Welcome to US Merchant Marine Academy Parents' Club of Arizona

Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008, location to be announced at a later date. For information, contact Lori Nitta at nittahome@cox.net

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2008

Greg, Michael and April Schneider enjoying their last academy days.

April & Michael Schneider '08 with Michael's aunt, Penni Roth, taking in the sights.

Chris Nitta '08 and Joe Castro '08 enjoy the pool after the change of command.

Jennifer Davis '08 (right) poses after her dip in the pool.

Michael Schneider '08 (center) celebrates change of command with a few close buddies!

Lauren James McCullom '08 enjoyed his swim too!

Sarah Jo Frasier, Chris Nitta '08, Caitlin Nitta, and Ben Inouye '10 enjoying June Ball.

Greg, Michael '08 and April Schneider on a proud graduation day.

Hats off to the Class of 2008!

Two of our proud AZ grads.... Chris Nitta & Michael Schneider

Jennifer Davis '08 (center) celebrating with two of her classmates after graduation.

Grandparents Gene & Merillyn Jacobsen, Lori, Tom and Caitlin Nitta celebrating with the happy graduate, Christopher Nitta.

Chris Nitta '08 and his uncle, Gene Jacobsen '79, compare KP Class Rings.

WELCOME ABOARD TO THE CLASS OF 2012!

Five of our record seven Arizona Plebe Candidates joined us for a Welcome Aboard Luncheon with their families as they prepare to report for Indoc. Congratulations and good luck!

RING THAT BELL!

Michael Schneider '08 rings the bell after learning that he had passed his licensing exam. Graduation is soon to follow!

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Spring 2008

Christopher Nitta '08: Gold Star (3.5 or better)
Jennifer Swanson '07 : Silver Star (3.2 or better); Appointed as Regimental Officer, Honor Board

Chris Nitta featured in Spring Kings Pointer Alumni Magazine

Schneider Strong!

Michael Schneider '08 challenged his company midshipmen to "be creative" during Indoc... this guidon is the result! Very creative to be sure. Easy to see why Michael received a commendation for his outstanding leadership during Indoc.

All Academies Military Ball
The United States Air Force Academy Arizona Parents' Association hosted the cadets and midshipmen from the five federal academies with their guests at the annual All Academies Military Ball on Saturday, December 29, 2007. The event, held at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa, was a truly memorable evening. Our midshipmen were formally presented and our seniors were given beautiful, personalized compass/clock sets engraved with the USMMA seal. After the dinner, dancing followed and a fun time was enjoyed by all in attendance.

Christopher Nitta and Lauren James McCollum receive their Senior Awards from Steve Nygren, President of the Arizona USMMA Parents' Association.

Alex Laszok '09, James McCollum '08, Chris Nitta '08, and Kyle Mathews '11 with the Senior awards.

The mids and their dates looked great...

...and so did the parents!

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Fall 2007

James McCollum '08: Gold Star (3.5 or better); Containerization Intermodal Institute Award

Christopher Nitta '08: Gold Star (3.5 or better); Sea Year Academic Ribbon with a Bronze Star (3.5 or better for both Sea Years)

Robert Hood '11: Silver Star (3.2 or better)

Michael Schneider '08 with his proud mother, April.

Michael Schneider '08 was recently awarded the USMMA Commendation Ribbon for Service. In part, the award recognized his outstanding performance as a First Company Officer in Charge during the Class of 2011’s Indoctrination, and his selfless and distinguishing execution of his duties as 1^st Company Training Officer. Congratulations!

In With the New...
Parents' Weekend 2007....

Deanna Wingate with Alex Wingate ('10) and Eric Bardot ('10) receiving their DI Awards

The Arizona Contingent (or some of them!) met for a picture.

Robert Hoskins ('11) takes his oath with the other Plebe Candidates, soon to be Plebes.

Michael Schneider ( '08) leads 1st Company on the parade ground.

Out With the Old...
Graduation Weekend '07

Kent Nygren, '07 and all the graduating seniors do the traditional dunk in the pool as the guard changes.

Laura Anderson, '07, with mom Jackie, Steve Nygren, Chelsey Cook, and Lauri Nygren enjoy June Ball.

Proud parents Steve and Lauri Nygren with their equally proud grad, Kent.

Sailing, Sailing Away....

Chris Nitta ('08) with his sea partner, Joe Castro ('08 ) on the beach in Honolulu...

...and hanging around like a few monkeys in Waikiki!

Chris Nitta ('08) - the best soccer player on the continent of Antarctica!

Chris Nitta ('08) got up close and personal with the seals in Antarctica while sailing on the American Tern.

Jennifer Swanson, '09, standing in front of some shelves she built at sea...

...and down in the engine room of her ship...

...then all cleaned up and site-seeing, somewhere in Europe.

Chris Nitta, '08, looking like a real seaman on his way to New Zealand...

...where he discovered this UFO in Christchurch!

All Academies Military Ball
The West Point Parents' Club of Arizona hosted the cadets and midshipmen from the five federal academies with their guests at the annual All Academies Military Ball on Friday, December 29, 2006. The event, held at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort, was a enjoyed by all. Our seniors were given beautiful, personalized compass/clock sets engraved with the USMMA seal.

Kent Nygren '07 and Reed Kobernik '07 display the senior gift from our club.

Cathy and Ron Kobernik enjoy the evening.

Steve Nygren, Cathy Kobernik, Lori and Tom Nitta, and Lauri Nygren looked great!

2006 PARENTS' WEEKEND AND ACCEPTANCE DAY

Tom and Lori Nitta with Christopher, '08, at the Admiral's Cocktail Party during the Presidents' Conference.

Plebe Candidate Alex Wingate (far right, smiling) getting ready for Acceptance Day.

Alex taking his oath....

Deana Wingate pins on Alex's eagle, while his sister Kristin looks on....

Plebe Alex Wingate (candidate no more!) smiles broadly surrounded by his proud sister, Kristin and his equally proud mom, Deana.