Leitz takes part in Herndon Climb

Wahkiakum High School alum Megan Leitz, left, joined her classmates in the annual Herndon Climb at the United States Naval Academy on May 17. The event marks the transition from plebe to midshipmen and women, and involves scaling a 21 foot greased up Herndon Monument to get to what is referred to as a "dixie cup" hat and replace it with the hat of an upperclassman. Photos courtesy of Stephanie Leitz.

Nearly there! Plebes closed in on the target a few times, and were finally successful at the two hours and 31 minutes mark. The record for the annual event is 20 minutes.

Leitz can be seen in the center of the second photo. Not only was the monument greased with lard, but upperclassmen would badger the first year students, hosing them down with sprays of water.