ROGERS — Years of aspirations and dreams culminated in one extraordinary moment for John Rex Spivey when he was finally able to take his cover, or hat, and throw it in the air the day he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Spivey, believed to be one of the first Arkansans to serve as president of his graduating class, had the distinction of speaking at graduation May 24 and presenting the class gift of a special edition pewter mug to President Barack Obama, who also spoke at the graduation and commissioning ceremony.
“It was an incredible feeling to see our class representing all 50 states throwing their covers in the air,” said Spivey, son of Joe and Suzanne Spivey of Rogers. “I learned so much and now have the opportunity to give back.”
The dream is far from over for Spivey, who considers his graduation with 1,046 of his fellow classmates more of a beginning than an end to a life he is willing to commit to service for his country.
From the time Spivey was a sixth-grader at St. Vincent de Paul School in Rogers, his dream to attend the Naval Academy began to materialize. Steve Berens, a former teacher at St. Vincent de Paul, recalls Spivey as a hard-working student with lofty goals.
“I’m not surprised by John Rex’s accomplishments. He always had the determination to be successful,” he said.
The self-motivation of the ambitious young man was apparent in Subiaco Academy, according to Brother Joseph Heath, OSB, who taught Spivey social studies and religion at Subiaco.
“He was a very self-disciplined young man of principle. He not only spoke what he believed, but he acted on it,” said Brother Joseph, who attended the graduation ceremony in Annapolis. “I feel I am a better teacher because of teaching John Rex and knowing him and his family.”
Attending Subiaco gave Spivey advantages he never realized until attending the Naval Academy.
“At Subiaco, I walked away with the ability to achieve, mentors for life and an ability to respect all people by living in community,” he said.
Retired teacher of 46 years, Father Hugh Assenmacher, who also taught Spivey’s father, Joe Spivey, agreed that his attendance at Subiaco served him in good stead.
“Once he had an objective in mind, he would pursue it,” Father Assenmacher said.
“There was not a semester at the (Naval) Academy that I didn’t call the monks at Subiaco to help me through some of the rough times,” Spivey said. “The monks taught us that each day you have another chance to start again, to wake up with a positive attitude and to make the best of it.”
Spivey credits his faith as playing an influential role in helping him achieve his goals. From a young age, he had the examples of family and friends to emulate. His grandparents’ faith has always inspired him. He recognizes this same kind of profound dedication in his parents.
“They are the ‘rock’ in my life,” Spivey said.
The life of his uncle who served in Vietnam as a captain in the Marines also had a significant impact on the path he would choose. His uncle, Buddy Spivey, lost a leg and was blinded after stepping on a landmine and was thought to be dead Dec. 7, 1967. Spivey said his family had been praying the Memorare for him daily and learned of his injury, but also learned that his uncle was alive on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8. To this day, this feast day and the Blessed Mother hold special meaning for Spivey, who considers his uncle to be his hero.
Mary DeCredico, a Naval Academy history professor, said Spivey was a great advocate for the state of Arkansas. Nicknamed “Razorback,” Spivey said he was known for promoting the state whenever given the chance.
Since graduation, Spivey has has stayed busy visiting past teachers, speaking at Rotary Clubs and thanking people in his hometown.
“My goal is to be of great significance to others, not just to be successful, but to be the best leader I can be,” Spivey said.
At the end of June, Spivey will return to Annapolis to serve at the academy and to await his assignment for Navy pilot training in the fall.
