Newark’s Nadia Liesen sets sail on new journey with U.S. Naval Academy

NEWARK — Nadia Liesen will be without her phone for the next six weeks, and that’s perfectly fine with her.

As of June 29, when she officially enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2027 for Plebe Summer, the recent Newark graduate doesn’t have access to it on the Annapolis campus. After an often arduous process, she was appointed Dec. 23, 2022, and is now part of an elite group.

Of the plebes, 813 men and 371 women make up the class of 2027. The number of women in the military has remained low throughout history, with only 17.3% of active duty armed service members identifying as women in 2021, according to Department of Defense data.

“It’s an 8.5% acceptance rate (to Navy), and at first, I thought, is this really possible?” Liesen said during an interview, right before she left. “When I got my nominations (from U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson and then-Sen. Rob Portman), it started to get real, but even then, I was not guaranteed the appointment. I was chosen for candidate visit weekend and received a letter of assurance. Then, when I received the appointment, it was absolutely mind blowing.”

Her Wildcat family, however, is not surprised she survived her journey, to reach her next journey. Several spoke of her leadership skills during a stellar academic and athletic career. Liesen was one of Newark’s valedictorians, receiving an honors diploma, and also competed successfully in four sports: soccer, cross country, track and bowling. Five, if you count indoor track.

Newark teachers, coaches describe Liesen as always a leader

In her letter of recommendation for Liesen, cross country coach Erika McCullough said Liesen was not only a leader but also exhibited the intangibles that will help her be in successful service to her country.

“I am confident that Ms. Liesen possesses not only the determination and mental fortitude to succeed in a challenging academic environment, but also a demonstrated passion for learning and personal growth that simply cannot be taught,” McCullough wrote. “She is intrinsically motivated, laser-focused, and is driven by unmatched discipline, and a relentless pursuit of self-improvement. She confidently interacts with adults and peers alike, and conducts herself with integrity, humility, and empathy for others.”

McCullough said Liesen not only has an unmatched work ethic and dedication to completing goals but in cross country managed to command the attention and respect of nearly 50 girls and boys of varying ages, experience levels and demographics.

“She has obvious care for her teammates, and has a desire to see them succeed,” McCullough wrote.

The Wildcats were running 1,600-meter repeats during a sweltering August afternoon (Liesen was competing with the top varsity boys), and a teammate was sitting against the wall, partially blocking the start area.

“Before I was able to walk over, Ms. Liesen crossed the finish line and, out of breath and exhausted, jogged straight to her teammate, bent down, helped raise her to her feet and walked her to another shaded area,” McCullough said. “Ms. Liesen reported back that her teammate was doing fine, before she went to grab a drink of water and prepare for her next run.”

A four-sport champion in Newark, Liesen leaves a legacy of titles

As a junior, Liesen was part of championship teams in all four sports at Newark. She will continue in track and cross country at Navy. She also played middle school basketball at St. Francis before moving on to the Wildcats.

“I went to a camp, and I had to choose, senior year,” she said. “It was really hard because I loved soccer. A friend and I decided to do bowling because it’s a lifetime skill, and we loved it. There’s not as much pressure. Sometimes, it got physically challenging (in the fall, when she did both cross country and soccer). I ran in the district meet; then three hours later, I was playing in a soccer tournament game. But the team environment, in all the sports, was like nothing I’ve ever been around.”

Newark track coach Marc Montella said Liesen was the ultimate leader.

“She did everything the coaches asked and then made sure her teammates knew what they were supposed to do,” he said. “She made everyone around her a better person and not just teammates or coaches.”

Liesen’s biology, anatomy and physiology teacher Alexa Schneider said she was always impressed with her ability to stay on top of her work, while still being friendly with everyone, including her.

“She was somehow able to be friends with everyone while simultaneously never being involved with any of the drama,” Schneider said. “I have no doubt that Nadia’s impressive social skills, combined with her natural intelligence, will take her far in life.”

Even though Spanish teacher Rebekah Estep didn’t have Liesen during her junior year, only meeting her through a half-hour non-academic period, she already made an impression.

“I had her as a student for the first time in Spanish 4 this year, and Nadia has always struck me as an exceptional person, not just scholastically but as an individual,” Estep said. “She is hardworking, driven and dedicated in her endeavors, and I’m very much looking forward to where life takes her, as she begins her post secondary journey at the Naval Academy. I have no doubt she will be a contributing, successful adult member of society, just as she has in her life thus far.”

Applying for the Naval Academy was a long process

Liesen actually thought about applying for the Navy at the start of her high school career.

“My uncle (John Liesen)’s family has always been in the military,” she said. “His oldest son (Alex Liesen) went to West Point, and his second oldest daughter (Tori Liesen) went to the Naval Academy. She told me about her experiences, and it got me thinking. It’s an incredible honor serving your country, and that opened the door for me. I went to Girls State and got my ACT up, tried to set myself up for even that possibility.”

In January 2022, the long process began, continuing through August of her senior year.

“There were essays and letters of recommendation. I had to pass a fitness test, conducted by a coach and a Blue and Gold officer,” Liesen said. “I had to pass physical exams and an eye exam and receive congressional nominations. That was its own application process. There were essays and transcripts and an interview with a Blue and Gold officer. All together, there were seven interviews for everything. It’s been a lot of long hours, and late nights.”

But all worth it, with her notification received right before Christmas becoming a special gift.

“Congressman Balderson called me to congratulate me,” Liesen said.

She hopes to eventually commission into aviation or surface warfare and will major in engineering at the Naval Academy.

Newark principal Tom Bowman said he knew the school had something special early on with Liesen.

“She quickly stood out her freshman year,” he said. “Academically, she was outstanding. Athletically, she was a strong competitor. However, what impressed me the most was her leadership and character at the high school.

“She always led by example and additionally possessed those intangible qualities that naturally led others to follow her,” Bowman said. “These qualities will transfer seamlessly to the Naval Academy, and I am confident she will be successful there and make our community and country proud. “

dweidig@gannett.com

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