CASTINE, Maine—At a banquet held on Monday, March 20, the Maine Maritime Academy Regimental Awards recognized students for their strength of character, seamanship, and overall leadership on campus. This year, the entire Regiment was welcomed to the banquet, including nearly 600 students who enjoyed dinner sitting with their companies.
The following awards and award winners were announced at the banquet (Note: regimental fourth through first classes are abbreviated as 4/C or 3/C, etc. and equate to freshman through senior academic standing; e.g. a 4/C student is a freshman, a 3/C student is a sophomore):
Master’s Citation: Recommendations issued by any member of the Ship’s Marine Transportation crew for upholding the ideals of the Ship’s deck department. The 2017 citation was given to Midshipman 1/C Luke Olson of Charleston, Maine.
Master’s Commendation: Outstanding to the Ship’s operation and deck department based on recommendations of a member of the Ship’s Marine Transportation crew. Two commendations were given this year, to:
Midshipman 1/C Glenn Burleigh of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Midshipman 1/C Elliot Grindle of Camden, Maine.
Chief Engineer’s Citation: Recommendations issued by any member of the Ship’s engineering crew for upholding the ideals of the Ship’s engineering department. Two citations were given this year to: Midshipman 1/C Kurt Carlson of Topsham, Maine, and Midshipman 1/C Spencer Boonstra of Katy, Texas.
Chief Engineer’s Commendation: Outstanding to the Ship’s operation and engineering department based on recommendations of a member of the Ship’s engineering crew. Three commendations were given this year to: Midshipman 1/C Taylor Overlock of Owls Head, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Nicholas Janes of Eliot, Maine, and Midshipman 1/C Jonathan Graveline of Litchfield, New Hampshire.
Cadet Shipping Awards: For excellence on Cadet Shipping projects. Thirty eight students were recognized for their above-average projects. A cash prize was awarded to Adam Olearcek of Islesford, Maine, for the best Deck project and to Alec Grant of Hollis, New Hampshire, for the best Engine project.
Commandant’s Citation: Recommendations issued by any member of the Academy Community for upholding the ideals of the Regiment. This year’s recipients were: Midshipman 3/C Gerald Aquino of Oakdale, Connecticut, Midshipman 3/C Eli Olson of Charleston, Maine, Midshipman 2/C Cody O’Brien of Moody, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Connor Stevens of Millinocket, Maine, Midshipman 1/C David McCann of New Gloucester, Maine, Midshipman 3/C Vincent Freiberg of Natick, Massachusetts, Midshipman 3/C Logan Goewey of North Sandwich, New Hampshire, Midshipman 3/C Christina Wilson of East Granby, Connecticut, Midshipman 3/C Warren Owen of Orrington, Maine, Midshipman 3/C Harrison Clark of Castine, Maine, Midshipman 3/C Coady Lagasse of Poland, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Jonathan Graveline of Litchfield, New Hampshire, Midshipman 3/C Alexander Black of Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, Midshipman 3/C Bryon Fogg of Winslow, Maine, Midshipman 3/C Trenton Lloyd-Rees of S. Portland, Maine, and Midshipman 2/C Austin Gamache of Vassalboro, Maine.
Commandant's Commendation: Consistent, excellent performance within the regiment of Midshipmen, plus being active in the Academy and/or community or by being specifically recognized for an act or deed that is considered to be worthy of special recognition. This year’s recipients were: Midshipman 2/C Chase Whittemore of Skowhegan, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Ian Lane of West Gardiner, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Cory Willette of Chapman, Maine, Midshipman 3/C Matthew Cook of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Midshipman 2/C Truman Slocum of Sebasco, Maine, Midshipman 2/C Elizabeth Bailey of Castine, Maine, and Midshipman 2/C David Harrison of Thomaston, Maine.
Band & Drill Participation Award: Being recognized for 4-year participation in Band: Corey Eastup of South China, Maine, Zach Hollen of Freeport, Maine, Liam O’Leary of Stratford, Connecticut, Aaron Perry of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and Matthew Fendl of Ellsworth, Maine. Recognized for 4-year participation in Drill: Tyler Downing of Peabody, Massachusetts, Erin Donlon of Saco, Maine, Ryan Donlon of Saco, Maine, Jared Hall of North Granby, Connecticut, Taylor Overlock of Owls Head, Maine, and Christopher Randazzo of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Sea Dog Chapter Maine Maritime Alumni Association Scholarship Awards: This year the chapter presented three (3) $1,000 scholarships to: Midshipman 1/C John Ramsey of Houlton, Maine, Midshipman 1/C Luke Olson of Charleston, Maine, and Midshipman 2/C Micah McBrine of East Machias, Maine.
Regimental Wedge Scholarship: The 2017 scholarship was awarded to Midshipman 3/C Mikayla Lewis of Purcellville, Virginia.
Al Brown Award: Contributed by Ms. Sharyn Brown and the Brown Family. In recognition of a student’s outstanding grade and work in Casualty Analysis. Given by the Brown Family to Midshipman 1/C Caroline Martin of Scarborough, Maine.
The Rear Admiral Warren C. Hamm Jr. Leadership Award: Contributed by Rear Admiral Warren C. Hamm Jr. Given to a 3/C Midshipman in good academic standing who exemplifies outstanding traits of leadership, accountability and loyalty in his or her demeanor and bearing. This year’s leadership award was given to Midshipman 3/C Jack Weeks of Ellsworth, Maine.
Regimental Alumni Development Award: Contributed by Artec Machine Systems and the Amendola family. Awarded to the student who exemplifies diligence in the Marine Engineering program. This award was given to Midshipman 2/C Travis Audet of Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
The Lester R. Paton Navy Leadership Sword: Contributed by the Paton Family. Given in memory of Mr. Lester R. Paton by his son, Mr. Richard R. Paton. It is often asked, when at the entry level of an organization with no one reporting to you and very little assigned responsibilities, how does one practice leadership? The answer is to do your absolute best to further the goals and mission of that organization in everything you do. The Lester R. Paton Navy Leadership Sword is given to the 2/C Midshipman who best represents the answer to this question. The Navy Leadership Sword was given to Midshipman 2/C Kylie Bradley of Northboro, Massachusetts.
Eugene J. Silva Regimental Award: Contributed by Mr. Eugene Silva. Given to a 1/C Midshipman of any rank who demonstrates the qualities of leadership and character as described by Eugene J. Silva '64. Those qualities include personal honor, integrity, courage, truthfulness, fidelity to principle, self-discipline, inspiration, tenacity, toughness, fairness and caring in the treatment of those in his or her charge. In short, the leader who inspires others to follow shall be the recipient of this award. The regimental award was given to Midshipman 1/C Cameron Brownlie of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. Year over year, the job placement rate for MMA graduates exceeds 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as the Brookings Institution, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine, which ranked MMA the number-one Best Public College in America in 2014 and 2015. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.
