Claremore Sailor Finishes Top Of Her Class

A Green Country sailor received a special homecoming.

U.S. Navy Seaman Lexi Lariviere earned a high honor that's rare for women in the Navy.

She returned to the homefront in Claremore after being away for nearly six months.

"It's been a long time since she's been home," stepgrandpa Wayne Campbell said.

Lariviere enlisted in the Navy the day after her 18th birthday.

Five months later, she was packing her bags for bootcamp.

"Extremely proud of her," Campbell said. "She is really making a future for herself."

It's a future that is spearheaded by the fact that Lariviere finished at the top of her class, which had more than 900 recruits.

"When my [commanders] called me in and told me, I didn't have much to say because it was a shock for sure," Lariviere said. "But you know, when you trust God and you do what you're told to do, nothing is going to stop you."

In a branch that's dominated by men, it is an accomplishment that takes on a whole new meaning for Lariviere.

"It was kind of a little heads up that women can do just as much as men, if not more," Lariviere said.

This young seaman wanted to join the Navy to better her life.

She's now able to go to school, travel the world and meet new people.

"That was unbelievable," Lariviere said.

But she has to admit being away from home is a little tough.

"Right now, I'm very, very happy to be home," Lariviere said. "They're what got me through bootcamp."

"She wants to come home and just kind of hang out and do some cooking and stuff," Campbell said. "It's what she wants to do."

"It's my favorite time of the year, favorite time of the year, so I'm very excited to be home for Christmas," Lariviere said. "Spending time with my family, eating normal food. I miss the cooking."

Lariviere ships out on Jan. 2.