At 18, Brandon Dearborn, a longtime altar server at Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish in Northfield, has always possessed a maturity beyond his years, those who know him say.
So it seems fitting that Dearborn, who is also a top scholar and high school athlete at Mainland Regional in Linwood, is now taking on a weighty adventure in his adult life, attending the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
He chose a military academy for college, his mother says, because, “As he told us, ‘I want to do more with my life. I want to serve. I want to be more.’”
Dearborn starts basic training later in June, and will be out of touch until mid-August for Parents Weekend.
“We’re very excited for him,” Diane Dearborn says, adding that she naturally feels maternal pride for her son, who began as an altar server in the third grade. “He’s continued ever since – he goes every week.”
That dedication and maturity is especially appreciated by Father Anthony Manuppella, parish pastor, and Deacon George Del Rossi.
Del Rossi – who has been a deacon for 27 years, the past 16 at Saint Gianna Beretta Molla – has known Dearborn since he became an altar server.
“I remember his parents always coming here [to church] with him – then driving him to be the altar server. Now he’s driving here himself,” Del Rossi says.
Dearborn, who is both a football and baseball player, said his time as an altar server is an experience he is thankful for. “Many of my friends thought I should give up serving and concentrate, like they did, on the sports activities. It was hard being made fun of and not being understood that I valued my serving as much as my team sports.”
“Even though I truly loved playing sports, I felt happy that I could give back to God and my parish for one hour each week. I remained steadfast in my serving 8 a.m. Mass every Sunday. I still partake in my high school sports teams, but I reserve that one hour a week to God,” he says.
Faith also played a big part in Dearborn reaching this next chapter of his life. Applying for – let alone being accepted to – the U.S. Naval Academy was a faith-filled process, Diane Dearborn says. Part of the application process included a letter of recommendation from the pastor and Dearborn’s local congressman, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ, 2nd District).
“We said, ‘We’d leave it in God’s hands. If He wants you to go there, you’ll be there,’” she recalls.
Now, he has a summer in Annapolis ahead of him.
“He’s interested in aviation, and hopes to fly larger tankers or sonar planes – he told me he’s not necessarily joining the Navy to fly jets,” Diane Dearborn says, adding that her son hopes to become a commercial airline pilot. She said he also hopes to major in engineering because of his love for math.
“He’s definitely got goals,” she adds.
That is clear from Dearborn’s own words in applying for acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy:
“I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I will work very hard to live up to the ideals of a naval officer,” he wrote in an essay to the academy. “I personally have belonged to countless sports teams and have belonged to numerous clubs and service organizations. The commitment I am most proud of is serving my local parish as an altar server. Serving God in such a small way makes me proud and makes me feel stronger inside. I believe, as a server, I have gained confidence, leadership and strength that have carried into all aspects of my life.”
By Patricia McDaniel
Correspondent
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