Westport Students Nominated For Young American Award

WESTPORT, CT — The Western Connecticut Military Officers Association (WCMOA) and Patriot Bank N.A . have announced the nominees for the "Young American Awards" and named two Westport students to the list.

Willem Schuddeboom of Greens Farms Academy and John Nealon of Staples High School are among just 31 students to be nominated. According to a press release, the award is given to local high school students who demonstrate leadership, academic success, community service and an underlying love of our country.

The Young American Awards are the centerpiece of multiple scholarships presented by WCMOA at a banquet on June 9, 2019. WCMOA and Patriot Bank will award over $10,000 in scholarships to chosen nominees.

Western Connecticut Military Officers Association is a non-profit organization founded in November 1958, currently celebrating its 60 year. Its goals are to stimulate love of country and supporting and defending the US Constitution. Its membership consists of women and men who served as officers in all branches of the Armed Services in both peace time and war. The WCMOA Young American Awards program is in its 44th year of supporting the education of young Fairfield county patriots.

Here is the full list of nominees:

1. Aidan Cooke - Bethel High School
2. Samahar Mehrtab - Bridgeport Bassick
3. Jennefer Torres - Bridgeport Central
4. Anna Harris - Bridgeport Harding
5. Mayrine Lebron - Bridgeport Military Academy
6. Tabitha Halupa - Brien McMahon
7. Michael Quinn - Brookfield
8. Jessica Pereira - Danbury
9. Connor Fay - Darien
10. Louis Guzzi - Fairfield Prep
11. Molly McLaughlin - Fairfield Ludlowe
12. Michael Murphy - Fairfield Warde
13. Willem Schuddeboom - Greens Farms Academy
14. James Heavey - Greenwich
15. Colby Bellone - Immaculate Danbury
16. Christine Tong - Joel Barlow
17. Taggart Weiss - Masuk
18. Chase Crum - New Canaan
19. Rachel Dee - New Fairfield
20. Annika Brady - Newtown
21. Jessica Alvarenga - Norwalk
22. James St. Pierre - Ridgefield
23. Clayton O’Brien - Shelton
24. Isabella Sorial - Stamford
25. John Nealon - Staples
26. Brooks Matthews - Stratford
27. Katharine Riffice - St Joseph Trumbull
28. Chona Cubarrubia - Trinity
29. Ryan Cranston - Trumbull
30. Maria LoDolce - Westhill
31. Tyler Previte - Wilton

Contributed press release.