Canyon Lake teen inducted into Naval Academy Class of 2023

Canyon Lake teen Mason Dowell, right, was inducted into the Naval Academy on June 27. Mason is pictured with his mother Stephanie and siblings Ryan and Ashlyn. Photo provided by Stephanie Dowell

Canyon Lake teen Mason Dowell, a 2018 graduate of Temescal Canyon High School, was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2023 on June 27 where he began six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer.

During this time, Mason will have no access to television, movies, the internet or music, or cell phones. The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help students like Mason prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenges that await them.

As the summer progresses, Mason will rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft. He will also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

His daily training sessions will involve moral, mental, physical or professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

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. The Naval Academy is recognized 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 25 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.

Mason, a triplet, was born and raised in Canyon Lake with his siblings Ashlyn and Ryan. His parents are Stephanie and Daren Dowell.