Lakewood Ranch High senior ready to begin career at US Naval Academy

Seventeen-year-old Vicente Rivera has known from a young age that he wanted to be in the Navy.

After experiencing a seminar last June at the United States Naval Academy, he knew his dreams would be secure.

It was during that five-day camp that he, along with the other potential recruits, were subjected to some screaming instruction by Charles Hale, a sophomore at the academy, for what is called an "induction day simulation."

The purpose of the screaming was to show them just how real and tough studying at the academy and military service could be.

“My heart rate was a little up on my watch," Rivera said. "It said, 'Hey, you're in a little stressful situation, try a breathing exercise. I'm like, 'Oh, I'm in a stressful situation? Thank you for telling me.'”

Rivera visited the Naval Academy's Memorial Hall, and it made a huge impression on him. There were stone engravings that listed all the Naval Academy graduates who have died in service. Rivera was told that the reality of military service is that some soldiers face the ultimate sacrifice.

“I've accepted that I am willing to die for my country, because it's for something I believe in," Rivera said. "I'm willing to die for you, I'm willing to do it for the people beside me, not just the government. I'm willing to do it for the people around me, for the people I'm serving with, for the people back home.”

Since attending the summer seminar, the Lakewood Ranch High senior has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy.

Rivera also had been accepted into the University of South Florida while receiving a ROTC scholarship to attend there, but his first choice was the Naval Academy.

“I could have taken that, and that would be the easy route,” Rivera said of going to USF. “The thing about academy graduates is they're a different caliber officer. I would be the best of the best. I'd get the best training.”

Rivera said that his track coach Bill Zarrella has a saying that he stresses to his team, which is “Do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?”

Rivera said he is determined to be great. 

Zarrella said Rivera has a great work ethic and has grown as a runner and as a person right before his eyes.

Photo by Ryan Kohn

“He’s a hard worker, so he’ll do fine there,” Zarella said of Rivera going to the Naval Academy.

Although Zarella knew Rivera was involved in ROTC, he had no idea his dreams included a military academy.

“I didn’t know it would be this great of an honor,” Zarella said. “A lot of kids go into the military, but it is hard to get into the academy.” 

Rivera said he sees himself being a career Naval officer.

“For me, I'm doing my 20 in the Navy,” Rivera said. “That's my career.”

He would like to become a surface warfare officer or work in special operations.

“I feel like the goals of the Academy fit with my ideals as a person,” he said.

Rivera said his leadership skills will help him succeed and he believes those skills led to his acceptance at the Naval Academy.

“They don't just want academics, they don't just want big football guys, they want somebody who could have the potential to be an officer and to be a leader,” Rivera said. “They want you to have the potential to develop.” 

The Naval Academy has high expectations and standards for the students, but Rivera is not worried, especially for the physical requirements. He said his track skills have given him good cardio, strength and endurance.

He has been balancing academics and sports his entire high school career and he is prepared to do the same at the Naval Academy. He said he is nervous about adjusting to life away from home and finding a rhythm in his new surroundings.

Before Rivera knew he wanted to be in the Navy specifically, he was fascinated by uniforms in general. His father Humberto Rivera was in the New York Police Department for 26 years and retired in 2015. They moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2016.

“When he was little, 1 or 2 years old, he used to sit in the police car when I would pick him up from the daycare center,” Humberto Rivera said. “He always liked the idea, but I always thought he would do better for his life. He’s very smart, he's very ambitious. He did it himself to be honest with you ... I did nothing.”

Humberto Rivera is sad that he won't be seeing his son every day, but proud of his accomplishment.

“Everything you could want as a son, I have,” Humberto Rivera said. 

The younger Rivera said he is eager to begin the journey of becoming a Naval officer.

“I like having order in my life and a structure, and that place is so structured that I'll really fit in there,” Rivera said. “I'm just excited to see the person I will become.”