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                         April 11, 2003

Class crest unveiled

By Spc. Nate Jastrzemski
Staff Writer

The U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2006 held a dinner event April 4 in Washington Hall here in appreciation of their sponsors and to unveil their newly-designed class crest.

Designed by members of the Class of 2006, the crest is meant to symbolize the character and spirit of the class, said Class of 2006 Ring and Crest officer-in-charge, Capt. Shane Duncanson.

"The companies made several unique designs which were then narrowed down to the four of five that most reflected the class by company representatives," he explained. "They then met with artists from major class ring manufacturers and articulated the designs and the spirit behind each symbol.

"Just after the New Year, the manufacturer artist’s renditions were completed and the Ring and Crest Committee facilitated the selection from the four entries with input from the entire class," Duncan added.

The crest was approved in February, he said, by the Commandant of Cadets and the United States Institute of Heraldry.

"The unveiling of the class crest is another milestone for us and adds to our character," said Cadet 4th Class Brandon Archuleta, Class of 2006 president.

"The crest embodies all that is great about our class and it will always represent us."

Archuleta explained the crests were first placed on class rings in 1917 and as a matter of tradition must always include an officer’s sword, a bald eagle, the United States flag, oak leaves, the letters U, S, M and A, as well as the class year and motto.