Naval Academy Freshmen Participate In Annual Herndon Monument Climb

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 14: The Herndon Monument after the 2028 climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 14, 2025 in Annapolis, Maryland. In the annual tradition, the plebes attempt to scale the 21-foot greased monument to knock off a “dixie cup” hat and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat. The 2028 midshipmen's class took 2 hours 27 minutes and 31 seconds to scale the monument and replace the hat. (Footage by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)