Blaine alum graduates from U.S. Naval Academy

Through hard work and dedication, a Blaine High School (BHS) alum graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 28.

Alfonso Dermendziev, BHS class of 2017, received his bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics from the prestigious academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Alfonso said he chose the major because it had real-world applications that focused heavily on math.

Following graduation, Alfonso will be granted leave before he commissions as an ensign in the navy with a surface warfare job. In this position, Alfonso will be stationed on the USS Portland in San Diego for two years and lead a group of 40-50 sailors.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the ship and sailors, and creating an atmosphere where we’re all focused on getting the job done but also having a good time,” Alfonso said.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy educates its student body of nearly 4,500 people to become officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through moral, mental and physical training, according to an academy press release.

Alfonso, the first in his family to serve in the military, learned about the U.S. Naval Academy from a close family friend during his sophomore year of high school. Alfonso applied his junior year and subsequently attended a track camp at the academy. “I knew I wanted to go there right away,” he said.

During high school, Alfonso competed on the football, basketball, and track and field teams. He was also part of the associated student body for three years and MC at pep rallies. With free time outside of school, Alfonso volunteered at Blaine Food Bank and was involved with Bellingham Police Explorers program, which offered ride-alongs and mini bootcamps to youth interested in a service career.

While attending the academy, Alfonso played rugby during his first two years, and was involved in mountaineering club, Latin dance club, Latin American studies club and Catholic midshipmen club.

Alfonso said his university experience challenged him with managing an array of responsibilities from military obligations to a rigorous academic load that required at least 18 credits per semester. Military obligations included 6 a.m. musters, preparing for parades that displayed military professionalism and two-month summer training.

“Going from high school without prep school, the transition from civilian to regimented service life can be a shock to a lot of people, and it definitely was for me the first few days,” he said. “I knew this was where I wanted to be so I did everything I could to ensure I graduated.”

Alfonso’s older sister Magda Dermendziev said it has been inspiring to watch her brother, who grew up in a low-income, minority household, achieve his dreams. Their mother escaped the civil war in El Salvador during the ’80s and eventually landed in Blaine, where Alfonso and his siblings grew up.

“I have to compose myself so I don’t cry,” Magda said when asked how it felt to see her brother graduate. “He worked hard in Blaine, and he had this dream and support from us and several families in Blaine. They pushed him to achieve this goal and he made it.”

For Magda, she’s most proud of seeing her younger brother stay humble through his accomplishments. People consistently tell Alfonso they’re proud of him, but it shows in his actions, she said.

“To think I’m a graduate from little old Blaine is pretty awesome,” Alfonso said.