On June 17^th, 2017, Bridget Quinn will graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Kings Point is one of the five federal service academies. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science for Maritime Logistics and Security, along with her United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential to sail as Third Officer in the Deck Department. Her license is unlimited tonnage, all vessels, any oceans. Additionally, she will graduate with a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

During her time at Kings Point, Bridget will have successfully completed 171.5 total credit hours. She earned several endorsements towards her license, including Vessel Security Officer, Advanced Firefighting Training, Medical First Aid, and Fast Rescue Boat. She was a member of the women’s basketball and volleyball teams, and served as a volleyball team captain her senior year. In her senior year, she served as the Chairman of the Human Relations Department, in her Regimental Command position as Regimental Human Relations Officer (RHRO). As RHRO, she provided trainings to the regiment regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, Bystander Intervention, and Conflict Resolution.

To complete her degree, her Capstone project is a thesis paper discussing the need for a U.S. flag Merchant Marine, how to reverse the decline and restore the fleet, and the budgetary, security, defense, and logistical implications of the restoration efforts. The project is presented to an audience of industry leaders/experts, and Kings Point faculty and staff.

Bridget sailed for a total of 330 sea days on three different vessels in the U.S Merchant Marine. During her time at sea, she was an apprentice Third Officer, tasked with leadership, navigational, and safety responsibilities vital to the proper shipboard operations. From July to November of her freshman year she was on the SS Horizon Enterprise, a 1980 built D7 class merchant container ship. Her port calls were Tacoma, WA, Oakland, CA and Honolulu, HI. From March to June of 2015, she was on the M/V Mississippi Enterprise, a 1980 built coal bulker, which carried coal from the Mississippi River to Tampa, FL. From August to October of 2015, she was on the M/T Maersk Michigan, a 2003 built handy-size, pumproom tanker. Her ports of call were: Yokahama, JP, Sasebo, JP, Yokosuka, JP, Subic Bay, PI, Apra, Guam, and Deasan, Ulsan, and Yeosu, Rebublic of Korea. While onboard, she earned her Tankerman Person in Charge endorsement.

She interned at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD, where she collaborated with members of the project teams to better understand the shipyard operations and management. Bridget employed her prior knowledge of shipboard operations and assisted in undocking the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa from dry-dock.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy was ranked second to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Business Insider in the median annual earnings of graduates from four-year colleges. Regardless of future salary, the Academy produces leaders of exemplary character, who will serve America’s service and defense needs in peace and war.

Upon graduation, Bridget plans to sail commercially as a Third Officer and work to upgrade her license as quickly as possible. Her goal is sit for her Chief Mate/Master exam by 2022.

Bridget is the daughter of Michael and Noreen Quinn of Lake Ariel. She accredits her love for adventure to her two parents and her sister, Katie. Bridget stated that “I would not be where I am today without the support of my family, they taught me to listen to my heart and find my passion, and I’ve found it, it’s on the sea”.

She graduated from Western Wayne High School in 2013, where she was actively involved as a student, athlete, and member of several clubs/committees. She extends a special thank you to Greg Myers for his support and assistance for the past several years. She’d also like to thank the school board for honoring her for this achievement and hopes to inspire future prospective Merchant Mariners in the area.

First Class Cadet Tyler McKinney is set to graduate in less than twenty days from the United States Military Academy at West Point on the 27^th of May. McKinney graduated from Western Wayne in 2012, where she was accepted to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and later attended the United States Military Academy. While at the Preparatory School, Tyler played volleyball and was recognized as one of the top performing female athletes, where she was awarded a General’s Award for Physical Excellence. Tyler also received the Humanitarian Service Medal for her volunteer help with the Task Force Hurricane Sandy Response in New York City. Tyler graduated with honors from the Preparatory School.

Before graduating from the Preparatory School Tyler was recruited as an outfielder to play Softball for Army. Tyler continued her athletic career at the Academy where she played Division I Softball in the Patriot League Conference all four years. During her time on the diamond, Tyler appeared in 176 games with 129 starts. Tyler was a defensive specialist and wreaked havoc on the baselines, where she had over 176 put outs, a 0.959 fielding percentage, and recorded thirty stolen bases and 44 runs. Tyler was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and earned Patriot League Play of the week. Tyler was also named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Additionally, Tyler volunteered each summer as a camper counselor/aid for the Softball team’s Youth Camps.

During her time at the Academy Tyler was named to the Dean’s List 6 out of her 8 semesters, where she will graduate in the top 15% of her class, of which she has received the Superintendent’s Award of Achievement. Tyler currently ranks in the top ten percent in her class for both physical and military performance. Tyler will graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Civil Engineering concentration.

Militarily, Tyler has completed nearly 26 weeks of military field training during her summers at the Academy. Each summer Tyler underwent a variety of leadership trainings. During her junior year, Tyler served as a Squad Leader for the incoming New Cadets in Cadet Basic training, where she was recognized as one of the top performing squad leaders for her leadership skills. Tyler was a member of Golf Company, 2^nd Regiment and served as the Company’s Executive Officer her senior year. Additionally, Tyler was given the opportunity to travel to Bangkok, Thailand for a three week leadership program, where she volunteered with Cross Cultural Solutions and taught English in two different elementary schools. Tyler has also volunteered within the local Hudson Valley Community at Food Pantries, soup kitchens, and Habitat for Humanity.

Tyler will graduate from West Point and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Officer Corps. Tyler earned her first branch and post selection, where she will serve as a Quartermaster Officer and be stationed in Vilseck, Germany. Upon graduation Tyler volunteered to serve six weeks as a Junior Tactical officer for Cadet Summer Training at West Point. She will then attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Lee, Virginia for Logistic Officers. Following her officer course, she will be stationed with the 2^nd Calvary Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where her unit’s primary mission will be deterring adversaries across the European Front, reassuring Allies, and enhancing the NATO alliance.

Tyler is the daughter of Roger McKinney Jr. and Lisa McKinney of South Canaan, Pa. Tyler would like to extend her gratitude to the Western Wayne Administration, faculty, coaches, family, friends, and members of the community for providing her the academic, athletic, and leadership tools in order to attend the United States Military Academy. “My time at the Military Academy was an incredible experience and I am beyond grateful for the continuous support I receive from the Wayne County community. I will cherish my time spent both at Western Wayne and the United States Military Academy, and will forever bleed Black and Gold.”

Lucas Karnick – Navy ROTC

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Lucas Karnick from Waymart, a 2013 graduate from Western Wayne High School, will commission into the United States Navy on Friday, 19 May 2017. During his time at Western Wayne he was a four year varsity member of the high school soccer, wrestling, and baseball teams. He received the District II PIAA Scholar Athlete Award during his senior awards night. As well as a member of the FBLA, NHS, and SADD organizations. Outside of school, Lucas is an active member of the Sons of American Legion, Post 807, Wayne County 4-H, and has volunteered with the Waymart Area Baseball Association.

He will graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon commissioning into the United States Navy, MIDN Karnick will report to Charleston, SC for Nuclear Power School.

Lucas is the son of Dan and Ann Marie Karnick.