Cutchogue-New Suffolk: NJROTC unit takes first and second place at Cadet of the Year Competition

God Bless America and the troops that worked so diligently to catch Osama Bin Laden! We will never forget!

The Cadet of the Year Competition encompasses all Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps JROTC Units in New York State. Earning top honors is an outstanding accomplishment for a cadet and this year our NJROTC unit has the top two slots: Cadet Battalion Executive Officer Kim Krupski has taken first place and Cadet Commander Billy Goggins won second place. Congratulations!

Congratulations to AJ L’Hommedieu, who’s won a full four-year Army scholarship to Syracuse University and Norwich University, and Maria Peroni, who was chosen as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. In addition, the following cadets and cadet aides were selected to attend the Leadership Academy and Sail Training at Newport, R.I.: Richie Smith, Katie Saporita, Eddie Wright, Emmett Bufkins, Natasha Van de Wetering, Lyndsie Taylor, Caitlin Penny and Blue Platoon Cadet Aides Matt Ireland and Kerri Nands.

This just in from Shelby Dufton: According to Time for Kids 440,000 people in Japan lost their homes in the recent earthquakes. Some people may think an origami crane is just a piece of paper, but in Japan, the crane represents peace and good luck. And Shelby, Madelyn Shannon, Jillian Orr, Cade Patchel and other students at Cutchogue East believe they can make a difference, one crane at a time. Second-, third- and fourth-graders there have raised over $2,000 by making paper cranes in collaboration with Dosomething.org, which sends the paper cranes to the Bezos Family Foundation, which in turn will donate $2 per crane to Japan for the rebuilding effort. You, too, can help spread peace and good luck! Go to Dosomething.org.

It’s been said that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed! The MHS Class of 2008 has taken that to the next level. Toni Martinez and Cody Homan are studying in Rome; Courtney Italia, Rachel Dickerson and Evan Viola in Florence; Eric Koch in Vienna; and Jacob Smith outside Paris. This group of MHS friends gathered in Rome for spring break.

Speaking of spring break, Allie Surozenski spent hers in an alternative program with over 100 Suffolk University students to help others through Habitat for Humanity in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Belated birthday wishes to Reese Thompson, who turned 8 this week, and Wally Bunker, who turned 13. Joan and Henry Domaleski (“Babci” and “Dziedzie”) will dance the anniversary waltz on May 6. Happy 60th anniversary and God bless!

The local Lions Club will hold a food drive Saturday, May 7, at King Kullen and Waldbaum’s from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. New members are welcome. Contact Diane at 478-7010 or [email protected].

Speaking of food drives, you may have seen the red bus outside Waldbaum’s last Saturday. Boy Scout Troop 39 members have been doing their part to help fight hunger. Keep up the good work!

Mark your calendars: New Suffolk School will host its annual spring flower and vegetable sale on Saturday, May 14. To pre-order, call the school or email [email protected]. Checks can be made payable to the N.S. School Enrichment Fund. All proceeds benefit students’ enrichment activities. The fund and the entire school family are also reaching out to schoolchildren in Japan. Students will collect bottles and cans for redemption, sell chances for free wine tastings and collect box tops for education. MHS alum Gary Grossenbacher, who teaches English in Japan, will coordinate distribution. Cash donations are accepted. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Cutchogue New Suffolk Library’s schedule is chock full of preschool and elementary school programs. For more information call 734-6360.

To all moms: May your Mother’s Day be filled with all that you hold near and dear. Happy Mother’s Day!

Have a good week!