Connecticut Teen Named Top Ten Graduate At Leadership School

Youth member of the Young Marines, YM/MSgt Makayla Barstow, 15, of Moosup, Connecticut was named a Top Ten graduate of the Advanced Leadership School held in August, 2020, at Headquarters Young Marines in Dumfries, Virginia.

YM/MSgt Barstow trained for a week to become a more effective leader alongside Young Marines from across the country. After physical and written tests, leadership classes, and close order drill, she was selected as one of the Top Ten graduates of the Advanced Leadership School.

“The Leadership Academy was very valuable, because it taught me how to be a more effective leader,” Barstow said. “It’s an experience that all Young Marines should have if they have the opportunity. It teaches how to really find yourself as a person and as a Young Marine.”

The Young Marines is a national leadership program for boys and girls age eight through high school graduation. The program emphasizes the core values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline. It focuses on American history, physical fitness, public speaking, citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Barstow is a member of the Natchaug River Young Marines under the command of Joseph Couture. The unit meets in Danielson, Connecticut. She attends Plainfield High School. After she graduates, she plans to attend college to study music or interior design.

She joined the Young Marines in 2013 at eight-years-old. She is in her seventh year in the program.

"When I joined, I was following the footsteps of my older siblings,” Barstow said. “Because family was involved, I grew up in the program.”

She is the daughter of Jessica and Mark Barstow.

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 235 units with 8,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: https://www.YoungMarines.com.