Ansonia teen to attend West Point summer seminar

ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School junior Sean Coyle will attend the Summer Leaders Experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York later this month.

Coyle, of Ansonia, will be among 1,000 students to have an opportunity to experience life at West Point. 

Attendees live in the Cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. 

The one-week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives in general.

All attendees participate in virtual-reality war simulation, and military and physical fitness training. In addition each student selects three of the 15 offered workshops.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, coeducational, federally funded undergraduate college located 50 miles north of New York City. 

A preeminent leader development institution, West Point was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering. Since then, West Point has grown in size and stature, but remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America's Army.


This post is taken from a press release.  

Shelton veteran honored at West Point ceremony

Shelton resident Alfred Meadows, center, recently received the President's Gold Volunteer Service Award from Brigadier General Timothy E. Trainor, left, and Brigadier General J. T. Thomas III during a ceremony at West Point. / Submitted photo

Congratulations go out today to veteran Alfred Meadows of Shelton who recently was presented with two medals in a ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

From a press release:

Forty-one Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, and Seymour residents have participated in at least one of Operation Gift Card's two-day trips to visit the wounded troops at the Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Md. 

Their participation helped guarantee the success the program which has led to the program receiving two awards recently.

Alfred Meadows, the creator and coordinator for Operation Gift Cards, received two awards April 8 at the West Point Military Academy.

The Corporation for National and Community Service presented Meadows with the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award that included a congratulatory letter from President Obama and a lapel pin with the White House insignia.

He was also presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a “West Point Volunteer Recognition” Medallion from West Point Brigadier General J. T. Thomas III for his volunteer efforts in creating and coordinating Operation Gift Cards for wounded troops.

Seventy-one organizations have co-sponsored the 120 visits to the Walter Reed while delivering over $956,050 in post exchange gift cards and corporate donations to the wounded troops and their families. 

The Shelton residents are: Scott Alconfora, George Bashura, Lynne Bashura, Joanne Brejwo, Kas Brejwo, Clarence Douglas, Matt Frovarp, Josh Frovarp, Nick Frovarp, Jim Frovarp, Jim Garman, Poncho Martinez, Robert Muoio, Bob Perchard, Josh Phillips, Mary Porter, Roberto Santos, Nancy Stahl, Karen Stracquadanio, Dean White, and Bernie Williams.

The Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour residents are: Scott Alconfora, George Bashura, Lynne Bashura, Joanne Brejwo, Kas Brejwo, Clarence Douglas, Matt Frovarp, Josh Frovarp, Nick Frovarp, Jim Frovarp, Jim Garman, Poncho Martinez, Robert Muoio, Bob Perchard, Josh Phillips, Mary Porter, Roberto Santos, Nancy Stahl, Karen Stracquadanio, Dean White, and Bernie Williams.

The Connecticut and Rhode Island Red Cross produced a three-minute video describing Operation Gift Cards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIR9dV4uc4g&feature=youtu.be

Operation Gift Cards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Gift-Cards/348033711897771

For additional information about Operation Gift Cards contact Meadows at al.meadows@snet.net.