Reese Graves, Leelee Denton, and Annie Taylor all graduated from Harpeth Hall in 2020, when the world was shut down due to COVID-19. These three, part of a graduating class of 100 girls, were about to embark on a very different path from their peers. Each had dreams that led them to the United States Naval Academy (USNA), a transformational experience that left them confident that the values instilled in them by their alma mater prepared them for their physically and mentally tough four-year journey as women at the Naval Academy.
This past year, two more students from Harpeth Hall joined them at USNA. This meant that five alumnae from the same small, all-girls school in Nashville, TN, attended the Naval Academy simultaneously*.
I spoke with Reese, Leelee, and Annie as they prepared to graduate and commission this past May. During their four years, each experienced accolades and leadership roles. Annie was captain of the Women’s Track + Field team; Leelee was captain of the Women’s Lacrosse team; Reese was her Battalion’s Operations Officer. All three were heavily involved in various other extracurriculars, along with many other leadership roles.
I was curious how they each chose to apply to USNA — historically not a common trajectory from Harpeth Hall — and what they had learned about themselves and their peers over the past four years. I discovered a tale of resilience, discovery, and unyielding support.
To be fully transparent, Reese is my daughter. My husband and I have witnessed this journey first-hand, which means I’m definitely not an unbiased author for this article! I’ve also condensed the quotes for clarity.
*The names of the other two alumnae are not listed, as USNA must approve all interviews and inclusion of student names. With various scheduling issues, this was not possible.
From Harpeth Hall to Annapolis: A Journey Begins
How does one learn about the Naval Academy when one is in high school, not from a military family, and has barely heard of USNA? This was the scenario for each of these girls.
Annie
“I was in Coach Romero’s office [the track coach at Harpeth Hall] when I received a letter from the Naval Academy about track and field,” Annie recalls. “I hadn’t thought much about attending, but that changed when I attended one of their track camps. The track coach even flew to Nashville. When the coach was on my doorstep … I mean, no other school had done that for me.
That was my first inclination that the Naval Academy was truly going to care for me throughout my entire experience, which is something Harpeth Hall did — always made me feel supported. After that, I went for my official visit. Ultimately, that one thing is why I made the decision to attend Navy. I wanted to be surrounded by people who go the extra mile and I wanted more than just friends who I went to school with. I wanted to leave with forever friends.”
Leelee
Leelee’s interest in the Naval Academy was similarly sparked during a summer athletic camp. “I was playing lacrosse with my friend. Her dad, a Naval Academy alumnus, made us attend a camp there. Seeing the values of the girls on the team and their dedication to serving — not just lacrosse — was inspiring,”
She adds, “With Reese and Annie also interested — and it’s not like these were two other girls I happened to know; I was friends with them — I thought it was crazy that we all three were actually pursuing it, not just interested and had it on our list. We all really wanted to do it. It was wild to me.”
Reese
Reese’s path was not through recruitment for D1 athletics but a chance trip to Annapolis. “My family went to Annapolis for Memorial Day weekend after my sophomore year in high school. We took a tourist tour of the Naval Academy on Memorial Day as something to do, and that was when I first saw it,” she says. “The teamwork, camaraderie, and friendships I saw resonated with me, reminding me of Harpeth Hall’s close-knit community.
Leelee actually encouraged me to attend the Summer Seminar [USNA’s summer program between high school junior and senior year], and that pretty much made my decision. I really liked the people who were attending Navy and their outlook on life — you know, giving back to others.”
Bridging the Gap: The Transition from Harpeth Hall to Naval Academy
Transitioning from the supportive, all-female environment of Harpeth Hall to the predominantly male Naval Academy might seem daunting, but all these women felt well-prepared.
“Harpeth Hall taught me to be confident and prioritize myself and my goals,” Reese said. “This confidence carried over to the Naval Academy, where I felt comfortable speaking up and asserting myself.”
Leelee had similar thoughts. “I feel like all-girls schools focus on empowering women to take down any challenge that comes her way, and that’s definitely what Harpeth Hall did,” she says. “I was excited for the possibilities … a whole new world opening up. But, I felt like I had a really strong foundation.”
Annie echoes this sentiment, “Academically, I was prepared. I really did worry I would struggle, but I found the academics manageable, and something just clicked in me once I got to Navy. Harpeth Hall also instilled in me the confidence to speak up and be assertive — that’s crucial for women in a mostly male environment.”
It’s worth noting that Annie was the TOP female graduate and #5 overall in USNA’s 2024 graduating class! This is awarded on a point system consisting of GPA, athletic acheivements, and leadership roles.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience
Even though the class of 2024 encountered a unique set of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they also bonded in an unusual way as they navigated class load, athletics, and required extracurriculars in addition to the school-wide COVID restrictions.
“I thought the Naval Academy would be tougher than it was described,” Annie admits. “But the real struggle was balancing academics and athletics, especially during the pandemic.”
Reese added, “Despite the challenges, everyone at the Academy — from the administration to my friends — was supportive and wanted us to succeed. I think that part gets lost in the messaging. The Navy spends a lot of money on you to be there. So, while they might be tough on you and throw a lot at you, their ultimate goal is to have you be a great leader. And for everything they do, they’re doing it for you to be better and ultimately succeed.”
Leelee found that the relationships she built exceeded her expectations. “I knew I was going make good friends in college, and I grew up hearing my parents say things like, “… our college friends are unmatched,” but I feel like the bonds we made at Navy are different. When I talk to many of my friends who went to other colleges … of course, they have best friends, too. I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s like you’re literally willing to die for your friends you go to Navy with. You just can’t beat the relationships that you make through the trainings that you go through together — being in the woods and the dirt together … You’re just not gonna get that anywhere else. So, that exceeded any expectation I had. That’s been great.”
The Unique Environment of the Naval Academy
The Naval Academy offers a unique environment that emphasizes holistic development — morally, mentally, and physically. This balance is something all three of these students appreciated deeply.
“The Naval Academy is focused on developing you holistically,” Annie explains. “Being a varsity athlete, I appreciated the balance between academics, athletics, and social life. It felt like a well-rounded experience where everyone, from coaches to classmates, was committed to helping each other succeed.”
Reese adds, “I loved the sense of community and support. Even though we lived in dorms all four years, it created a close-knit environment surrounded by your best friends where you were constantly encouraged to push your limits and grow.”
Advice for Future Students
Annie, Reese, and Leelee offer heartfelt advice for students considering the Naval Academy.
“The Naval Academy offers an unparalleled opportunity to impact others’ lives while developing yourself,” Annie says. “If you’re thinking about it, know it’s not just about academics or physical challenges. It’s about being part of a community that pushes you to be your best.”
Reese concurs, “Finding purpose is crucial. The Academy forces you to find your purpose early on, which is unique. If you’re unsure about your future, the Naval Academy helps you figure it out while providing so much support along the way.”
When I spoke with Leelee, she opened up about some initial fears. “I was pretty nervous going to Navy from the academic side. I knew it would be really challenging and I was told we’d be given a huge support network. The graduation rates are pretty high, so I trusted that was true. And, while I’m not dumb, I’m definitely no Reese Graves. I’m no Annie Taylor. Out of the three of us, they’re the academically gifted ones. But I definitely was supported and got help from other friends and teachers. And that help me got me through, no problem. They teach you that no one can do it all on their own.”
Next on the Horizon
Annie Taylor is now a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Reese Graves, Ensign in the Navy, is embarking on a career in Cryptologic Warfare, soon to be stationed in Hawaii. They both will need to serve a minimum of five years. Leelee Denton, Ensign in the Navy, will start her career as a Navy Pilot this fall in Pensacola, attending flight school for two years and then a minimum commitment in the fleet of eight years after that.
Congratulations, Reese, Leelee, and Annie! We can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
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Nashville women are doing remarkable things. Get to know more of them over at our FACES of Nashville archives!
