Branford Students Named SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month

Branford’s Megan Shea and Mike Caminear were among the 13 student-athletes from seven high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the Month for November.

Now in its ninth year, The SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program will honor outstanding young men and women each month during the 2014-15 academic year.

“Many thanks to the Sports Center of Connecticut for its support of the SCC and the Scholar Athlete of the Month program,” SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said. “This conference has been proud of its success for the last 20-plus years, and to be able to recognize outstanding young men and women who demonstrate the desire and ability to succeed solidifies what the SCC is all about.”

Each SCC member school gets two honorees per season (fall, winter and spring). The Conference announced the fall recipients in September, October and November.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letter-winner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month recipients and receive a certificate, commemorative T-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

Shea, a standout for the Hornets’ field hockey squad, has also been an exceptional performer in the classroom. She is ranked first in her class, and sports a 4.49 grade-point average.

A member of the National Honor Society, Shea is the Branford Board of Education’s Student Representative. On the field hockey pitch, she is a two-time All-SCC, All-Area and All-State honoree.

“Megan is a true leader on and off the field who is a wonderful and mature role model for our younger athletes,” Branford field hockey coach Cathy McGuirk said.

Caminear, a two-sport captain (soccer and lacrosse) for the Hornets, has been an exemplary student and leader.

Caminear sports a 4.2 grade-point average and is a member of the National, Science and World Language honor societies. He is President of his class and Model Congress, and serves as a peer mentor. He also plays the saxophone in the band.

On the soccer field, Caminear earned SCC All-Oronoque honors leading the Hornets to a division title, and also a share of the Class L state championship – the first in school history.

“Mike is a terrific young man,” Branford boys’ soccer coach Paul Hunter said. “He demonstrates his leadership qualities by being prepared every day and being a rock solid communicator.”