MAST-Students Today … Leaders Tomorrow
MAST Graduates … Where are They Now?
MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, is the only high school in the state, and one of only a few in the region, where every student is a member of the NJROTC and must pass the Naval Science classes in order to receive a MAST diploma. The Monmouth County Vocational School was one of the five full time county vocational schools that was named among the top ten schools in New Jersey for academics.
Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, a retired Navy officer who served as a salvage diver during her 23 years in the Navy, retired eleven years ago to become the Senior Naval Science instructor at MAST. A graduate of the University of South Carolina where she was in the ROTC, Commander Smith-Yeoman knows the importance of a solid foundation in all academic studies and sees the advantages of an NJROTC program that also teaches discipline, orderliness, attention to detail and communication.
While she candidly concedes every student at MAST is not enamored of drills, uniforms, or marching in formation on Pershing Field when the weather is either too hot or too cool, she is reminded constantly how their training there made their college days so much easier, their job searches so much better, and their futures so much brighter. Every year, MAST receives notices of graduates being accepted into one or more of the nation’s military academies, while numerous graduates earn ROTC scholarships to colleges throughout the country.
The Naval Science instructor is reminded of this because so many graduates of MAST come back and tell her of how their MAST years have impacted their lives. Commander Smith-Yeoman enthusiastically invites the alumni to her classroom to share their experiences. She also regularly sends updates she receives from graduates with the rest of the faculty, the students, and anyone wondering whether their 8th grader should apply for high school at MAST.
As an example, Commander Smith-Yeoman shared information she received from recent MAST graduates.
There was Dan, who graduated from MAST eight years ago and went on to Cornell for his degree. He is now a Navy lieutenant on the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125.) She pointed out Dan is a plank owner, meaning he was a member of the commissioning crew of the destroyer, and she included a link so all the faculty and students could see and hear Dan talk about his ship and the Medal of Honor recipient for which it was named.
There is Leor, another 2015 grad and the brother of Dean, a 2017 grad who graduated from Michigan. Leor graduated from the Naval Academy and received his Wings of Gold. He is now an F/A-18 fighter pilot with the Navy. The instructor included a photo of him flying over the head of his brother.
There is AJ, a 2018 grad and a Merchant Marine Academy grad last year. He is an ensign in the Navy Reserve, and a Merchant marine officer on a civilian merchant ship. The MAST instructor said she is looking forward to when he is expected home later this month and the visit he promised to make to MAST.
There’s the MAST grad who went on to graduate from Embry Riddle in 2022 and is now a Second Lieutenant in the Army. Commander Smith-Yeoman said Mike also received the German Armed Forces Badge for military proficiency, and explained how heavily physically demanding a course it is.
The list goes on as recent grads continue telling MAST leaders how well they’re doing and how grateful they are for their MAST education.
Jill is a lieutenant (junior grade) now after graduating from MAST and RPI and is serving as an Industrial Hygiene officer with the Navy. She’s married to Kyle, a Navy pilot serving in Virginia.
Both Jack and Liam are doing well, the commander reports from their letters and visits. Jack is an ensign in Navy flight school in Pensacola, while Liam is a second lieutenant after graduating from DeSales and is currently attending the Marine Corps’ Infantry Officer Course.
Ryan, class of 2018 and the University of South Carolina last year, is also finishing Marine Basic School and will be a ground intelligence officer. The commander attached a photo so MAST students could see Gamecocks Jack, Liam and Ryan along with Matt, another 2018 MAST alumni.
Nick, a senior about to graduate from West Point in May, just found out he has been selected to enter the Military Intelligence field, his top choice for career assignments.
Mary Catherine, who is in her second year at the Naval Academy and a member of the crew team, was part of the squad that ran the game football from Annapolis to Foxboro, Massachusetts, the site of last weekend’s Army-Navy game. A year’s long tradition, the academy’s 13th Company hand carries the ball to the rivalry game, no matter the location.
Commander Smith-Yeoman told her classes that both Alexis and Tyler are doing great as plebes at the Naval Academy, and that Jimmy, who just graduated MAST last year, was left rifle on the color guard that presented colors at the University of Texas/Oklahoma football game and was broadcast on ABC. She added he’s doing great even though his Longhorns lost the game.
“It is so wonderful to hear from our graduates and share in their good news and successes,” said the commander. “Over their four years here at MAST, all of the teachers get very attached to the students, and of course, the Naval Science Instructors – Senior Chief Vaccarella, Chief Fetherman, and I — get particularly close with those grads who choose to enter the military. We love that they keep in touch with us and often come back to speak to current students. These grads don’t just inspire our current MASTies; they inspire us, too!”
For more information on MAST and its program, visit their website at https://sites.google.com/navyjrotc.us/mast/home.
More Stories on MAST and the REMARKABLE Students and Graduates HERE
If you have an update on a graduate or graduates that you would like to see a story on …Like the story on US Naval Academy Cadet Smolensky, please Email me at venividiscripto@gmail.com
