John is heading into his junior year at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he has had a strong academic and athletic collegiate experience.  In his freshman year, he was selected for the Bresnahan Presidential Scholarship, and named a Dennis M. Houston Scholar, which is a merit-based award for full tuition as well as room and board. He went through a ten-week orientation period, consisting of a boot camp period during the summer, and extensive discipline and leadership courses during his first months at school.

 

He was named a Cadet in October 2005. Cadet status requires daily formations and inspections, as well as strict regulations of uniforms and liberties, which have been part of his daily life at school for the last two years.  John is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Marine Transportation. In January he will move on board the 550-foot training ship Enterprise.  He will spend a week loading provisions and preparing for sea.  The voyage lasts about 52 days on average, and during that time he rotates through class and laboratory training at sea, ships operations, maintenance and emergency drills.

 

John's first sea term took him across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea for stops in Italy and Spain, for three days each.  His second sea term was a Caribbean trip to Barbados, St. Thomas, and Miami. He continues to work toward a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer's Licence, and must qualify through examination by the United States Coast Guard.

 

Athletically, John has been involved in club hockey, as well as varsity lacrosse for two years.  His first year of lacrosse, he started at attack and was named to the Pilgrim Lacrosse League All-Academic Team.  In his second season, he switched positions and finished with the most points for a midfielder, and was once again named to the All-Academic team. 

 

His first semester at school he made the President's List by earning a 3.9 GPA.  Since then, John has been named to the Dean's List with a GPA of over 3.3 twice, and currently holds a 3.5 average. He was awarded a Good Conduct award his freshmen year.

 

During the summer, John works at the Stamford Yacht Club as a launch driver, and also at Fish Tale's Bait and Tackle.