 In 1951 , McCain enrolled at Episcopal High School in Alexandria , an academically superior , all @-@ male private boarding school with a rigorous honor code , tradition of hazing , and spartan living environment . Most of the children there were sons of wealthy Southerners , from whom McCain got a glimpse of life and career aspirations outside the Navy culture . Nicknamed " Punk " and " <unk> " due to his combative , fiery disposition , McCain enjoyed and cultivated a tough guy image ; he also made a few friends . McCain earned two varsity letters in wrestling , excelling in the lighter weight classes . He also played on the junior varsity football team and the tennis team , and participated in the student newspaper , yearbook , and drama club . English teacher William Bee Ravenel III , who was also his football coach , became a great influence towards his sense of learning , honor , and self @-@ image . With what he later termed an " undistinguished , but acceptable " academic record , McCain graduated from high school in 1954 . 
