Harrison HS Alum Graduates From U.S. Naval Academy

PURCHASE, NY — A Purchase standout has accomplished what many dream of, but only an elite few accomplish.

After successfully completing four years of challenging academic, physical and professional military training, Mark Anthony Rigano, of Purchase, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as a U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt.

Rigano is a graduate of Harrison High School. He was the Commanding Officer of the Silent Drill Team and performed the duties of squad leader for two semesters and platoon commander in his final semester.

Rigano also studied abroad for one semester at the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno, Italy.

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Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious 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 also 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 different 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 state in the union. Each year, approximately 1,200 young men and women are admitted to the Naval Academy’s 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.