Joseph Watkins, an 18-year-old senior at St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington, will graduate this spring and enter the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, following a recent decision to pursue military service. He said he feels both “really excited” and “really nervous” as he prepares for the next chapter in his life.
Known among teachers and peers for his motivation and intellect, Watkins completed 14 Advanced Placement courses and thrived on the academic rigor. “I enjoy being around people who are smarter than I am, because they push me to work harder,” he said.
Outside the classroom, Watkins participated in soccer, basketball and golf. He served as captain of the golf team and held leadership roles in the Inter-House Council, the school’s student government body, and in the Big Brother–Little Brother mentorship program.
Faith and leadership played central roles in Watkins’ school life. As a senior, he helped lead the school’s Kairos retreat and mentored the next team of student leaders. “Leading Kairos last year was incredibly impactful, more than I expected,” he said.
Service has also shaped his high school experience. Early on, an uncle who later died of pancreatic cancer encouraged him to join a leadership program with Outward Bound. “It was hard to go, knowing it was our thing,” he said. “But I tried to live it out for him.” The experience, which included early challenges such as bullying, became a turning point. “I learned a lot about grace, respect, and listening — even when people are difficult,” he said. “That experience changed me, and I’ve carried it through all four years.”
He volunteered at St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families in Hyattsville, Maryland, and spent summers as a camp counselor in Arlington, Virginia.
Raised in a devout Catholic family, Watkins attends St. Ann Catholic Church in Washington’s Tenleytown neighborhood with his parents and younger brothers. He serves as an altar server at the parish, where his uncle, Msgr. James D. Watkins, is the pastor and a steady spiritual guide in his life.
At St. Anselm’s, theological studies and youth ministry deepened both his intellectual and spiritual growth. “You’re not just going to Mass, you’re growing in your faith,” he said. Participation in youth ministry, he added, gave him opportunities to grow socially while staying grounded in faith, and it is something he hopes to continue through a Catholic ministry at the Naval Academy.
Watkins credits his military aspirations to a family legacy of service. His grandfather served as a U.S. Navy admiral, and his father completed Navy ROTC at the University of California, Berkeley.
Though undecided on a career path, he is open to submarines or other naval specialties. “I just know that I want to serve my country, and this seems like the best way to do that,” he said.
Watkins intends to pursue a STEM major at the academy, leaning toward chemistry but keeping his options open. “I’m fascinated by all of it,” he said.
He described St. Anselm’s as a uniquely close-knit environment. “I know every person from sixth to twelfth grade by heart. We support each other,” he said of the school, which is sponsored by the Benedictines.
A proponent of servant leadership, he added, “I want to be a servant leader. Lead by example, set the tone, bring energy and enthusiasm. It’s about making progress together.”
In difficult moments, Watkins turns to his faith. “When I’m at my lowest, I think of the Passion. What Christ went through — my struggles are nothing in comparison,” he said. He also finds peace in quiet walks or evening runs, using that time for reflection and prayer.
Asked about the Church’s relevance for young people, Watkins said, “I think the Church can inspire us to strive for greatness, to give glory to God by being the best version of ourselves.”
If one day he finds himself deployed without access to the sacraments, he said his faith would remain strong. “Even if I don’t have the Eucharist, I’m growing in my relationship with God through it all,” he said.
Watkins summarized his senior year in three words: “Faith. Hope. Impact.” His graduation walk-up song? “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe. “It’s rowdy, upbeat, gets people riled up,” he said with a grin.
