MMA Regimental Awards Recognize Outstanding Students at Annual Banquet

Posted on: April 17, 2019

CASTINE, Maine—At a banquet held on Monday, March 25, the Maine Maritime Academy Regimental Awards recognized midshipmen for superior accomplishments they achieved using vision, effort, and tenacity. The awards emphasized strength of character, seamanship, and overall leadership on campus.

The following awards and award winners were announced at the banquet (Note: regimental fourth through first classes are abbreviated as 4/C or 3/C, etc. and generally equate to freshman through senior academic standing; e.g. a 4/C student is a freshman, a 3/C student is a sophomore).

MMA Alumni Chapters and The Portland Marine Society presented scholarship and commendation awards as follows:

The Seacoast Alumni Chapter presented two awards: the Captain Thomas Smith Award was presented to Cadet Master Midshipman 2/C Paul S. Woodworth of Rockport, Maine. The Paul Mercer Scholarship was presented to Cadet Chief Engineers Midshipman 2/C Justin Burgess of Orland, Maine, and Midshipman 2/C Geoffrey Knight of Bangor, Maine.

The Portland Marine Society awarded four scholarships to Midshipman 2/C Christopher Lenardis of Auburn, Maine; Midshipman 2/C Nathan Granholm of Brunswick, Maine; Midshipman 2/C Dylan Gooch of Saco, Maine; and Midshipman 3/C Samuel Tucker of Portland, Maine.

Leadership awards were presented as follows:

Al Brown Award: Contributed by the Brown Family in recognition of a student who has excelled in the study of Analysis, the award was given to Midshipman 2/C Julia Dillon of Norway, Maine.

Regimental Alumni Development Award: Contributed by Artec Machine Systems and the Amendola family. Awarded to the student who exemplifies diligence in the Marine Engineering program. This award was given to Midshipman 3/C Spencer Fish of Woolwich, Maine.

The Rear Admiral Warren C. Hamm Jr. Leadership Award: Contributed by Rear Admiral Warren C. Hamm Jr. ’49. Given to a 3/C Midshipman in good academic standing who exemplifies outstanding traits of leadership, accountability and loyalty in his or her demeanor and bearing. This year’s leadership award was given to Midshipman 3/C Dylan M. Labun of Waterville, Maine.

The Lester R. Paton Navy Leadership Sword: Contributed by the Paton Family in memory of Mr. Lester R. Paton. It is often asked, when at the entry level of an organization with no one reporting to you and very little assigned responsibilities, how does one practice leadership? The answer is to do your absolute best to further the goals and mission of that organization in everything you do. The Lester R. Paton Navy Leadership Sword is given to the 2/C Midshipman who best represents the answer to this question. The Navy Leadership Sword was given to Midshipman 2/C Kristen N. Gier of Cary, Illinois.

Eugene J. Silva Regimental Award: Contributed by Mr. Eugene Silva. Given to a 1/C Midshipman of any rank who demonstrates the qualities of leadership and character as described by Eugene J. Silva ’64. Those qualities include personal honor, integrity, courage, truthfulness, fidelity to principle, self-discipline, inspiration, tenacity, toughness, fairness and caring in the treatment of those in his or her charge. In short, the leader who inspires others to follow shall be the recipient of this award. The regimental award was given to Midshipman 1/C Clayton D. Carroll of Sebec, Maine.

The Regimental Wedge Scholarship is given in recognition of a rising Midshipman who is taking the utmost advantage of leadership opportunities within the Regiment of Midshipmen. This year the scholarship was awarded to Midshipman 3/C William J. Evon of Barrington, Illinois.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. The job placement rate for MMA graduates is approximately 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as the Brookings Institution, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.