Bell soccer player makes a week of memories at Naval Academy

Erin Keohane could hardly contain a week’s worth of memories. Just back from the prestigious STEM Program at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the L.D. Bell sophomore soccer player rattled off one exciting moment after another.

“I really got to see what engineers in the Navy do,” she said. “I’m definitely going to apply to the Naval Academy.”

Keohane was at the Naval Academy June 8-13. During that time she studied science, technology, engineering and math (hence, the acronym STEM).

“We found out that six thousand people applied for the STEM Program and only 600 got accepted,” said her mother, Joy.

Keohane worked with students with a variety of interests. One was a Naval architect, another a mechanical engineer, and another was into oceanographic engineering.

“We had scenarios, such as these villages, we had to get them supplies, but we could only use this much fuel, and we had to calculate the right amount,” she said. “We did stress tests on carbon fiber and steel.”

Keohane said she also made some new friends there.

“My favorite part was getting to talk to the Midshipmen all day. They answered any questions we had,” she said. “My squad leader was on the women’s soccer team, and that was cool to have that in common.”

Keohane’s sister Megan is entering her third year at the Air Force Academy, which Keohane has visited numerous times. This, however, was her first trip to the Naval Academy.

“It’s beautiful. It looks like an Ivy League school,” she said. “I like how the cadets can walk right down to Annapolis. Some of the restaurants there will deliver food to the campus. It’s very historic.”

Keohane’s mother and father (Robert) both served in the Air Force, she as a flight nurse and he as a pilot of a C-130.

“Even though we’re both veterans, we didn’t think they’d go that route, but they have both done that,” Joy said. “And we didn’t even talk much about it, and certainly didn’t push them.”

But Keohane said the world of engineering has always intrigued her.

“I’ve always been good at math and science. I like how it can impact people,” she said. “And those kids at the Naval Academy are doing things the Navy use, so that means everybody will use it.”

As for the rest of the summer, Keohane plans to work, take driver’s ed, and play soccer for the Sting West 2000 club out of Dallas. She was Bell’s Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention all-district in the extremely tough District 7-6A.

“It’s going to be a busy summer, and it’s already off to a great start,” she said. “This was a fantastic week.”

This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Bell soccer player makes a week of memories at Naval Academy."