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There are some proud grandparents in Farmington. And they’re neighbors.

Barbara Allen’s grandson, and Myrna and Barry Whitley’s granddaughter each graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Connor Davidson of Fort Wayne, Ind. earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Spanish. He is the son of Kim and Mike Davidson, and also the grandson of the late C.W. Allen and Evelyn and Bob Davidson.

Madeline G. Cashion of Kernersville earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is the daughter of Brooke and Jake Cashion, and also the granddaughter of Theresa Fulton and the late John A. Cashion.

At the academy Davidson was a member of the Intramural Sports, Squad Leader, Platoon Commander and was Advanced Open Water Certified.

Cashion was a member of the Naval Academy Leadership Conference and Fall 2022 4th Battalion Commander.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy is a four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service.

More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen. U.S. News and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as a top five undergraduate engineering school and a top 20 best liberal arts college.

Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, and military law.

Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 27 subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

The Brigade of Midshipmen is comprised of approximately 4,400 students from every staten. Each year, approximately 1,200 young men and women are admitted to the incoming class.

The academy’s alumni include one president, 21 members of Congress, five governors, 73 Medal of Honor recipients, two Nobel Prize winners, 54 astronauts and 4,000 admirals and generals.