Graduation 2011: BHS Seniors Honored by Military

Several Broadneck High School students were recognized with military appointments and awards in the recent BHS senior awards ceremony.

Here is a summary of the award winners for 2011.

U.S. Naval Academy Appointment:  Lauren Riffle, Alexander Ramos, and Mark Brashears

Lieutenant Commander James Sprungle welcomed these three students who beat the odds and won three of only 1200 available slots for the over 19,000 who applied for the Academy.  All three students will be competing on Navy varsity sports teams. Lauren will be on the Women’s Cross Country team, Alexander on the Navy Sailing team and Mark on the Navy Lacrosse team.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy:  Benjamin Hannon and James Meyers

Commander Patrick Dugan presented Hannon and Meyers with their appointments to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2015. Each year more than 20,000 students inquire about admissions and many go on to complete the application. Of those, only 290 are appointed. Hannon and Meyers will soon head to the Academy in New London, Conn.

NROTC Scholarship:  Kathleen Hawkins 

As one of ten individuals selected for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Marine Option Scholarship, Hawkins competed against 36 applicants from Delaware, Eastern Maryland, and the District of Columbia. The scholarship will help Hawkins pay for tuition, books, instructional fees, and uniforms.

U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award:  Hayley White

Sgt. Brent Frauenfelder presented White with this award that recognizes students who are a distinguished scholar, an exemplary citizen and a role model for younger students.

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award:  Brooks Wiggans and Lauren Tolliver 

Sgt. Brent Frauenfelder presented Wiggans and Tolliver with this award that recognizes students who have exhibited personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence, and leadership while performing as varsity athletes.

U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award:  Philip Tateyama

This award, named for John Philip Sousa’s “Semper Fidelis” march, is provided to a music student who held a first chair in the band, has proven capable of performing as a soloist, and been recognized as both an outstanding musician and young citizen.

U.S. Air Force ROTC Scholarship:  James Franceschini and Kathleen Hawkins

Col. George Ryan was on hand to present these two Broadneck students with a scholarship that is an officer’s commission in the U.S. Air Force. The scholarship can cover tuition, a textbook allowance, lab and incidental fees and a tax-free monthly allowance that increases by their senior year.

Finally, Nicholas Fash was recognized by the entire awards ceremony audience for having signed up for the U.S. Marines Corps.