by bill wells
DEPARTMENTS: NEWS FROM THE HILL
Director of Student Promotion
News from the Hill Class of 2021 sends 3 students to U.S. service academies As a combat veteran, the mental radar for Head of School Brian Easler pings whenever a member of the graduating class elects to pursue a future in the military. Mr. Easler’s radar pinged multiple times with the Class of 2021, which sent three graduates to two of the country’s service academies. Gio Biondo ’21 and Nathan Gould ’21 were accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., while Miles Fortune ’21 earned a spot at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. All three reported during the summer. “As a military veteran, I could not be more proud of Miles, Giovanni and Nate for earning admission to two of our nation’s service academies: Kings Point and West Point,” Mr. Easler beamed. “They are outstanding academic institutions, and I have the deepest respect for service to our country. I look forward to following their careers, and to hearing about their accomplishments. “Having students earn admission to a service academy is always a big deal for us, but three in one class—that’s a first in my 20-plus years at WMA.” FROM TOP: Gio Biondo ’21, Nathan Gould ’21 and Miles Fortune ’21.
Jack Perenick ’21 excels at U.S. Senate Youth Program In essence, in the realm of U.S. government at the high school level, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Jack Perenick ’21 made his state’s all-star team. Jack was selected as one of just two representatives in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to attend the Washington, D.C. based, U.S. Senate Youth Program, which was held virtually for eight hours a day for six days in March. A finalist for the position last year, Jack earned one of the coveted two spots after he submitted a résumé, took a test and was interviewed by an employee at the state’s Department of Education. As a recipient, Jack earned a $10,000 scholarship. “The highlight was being able to meet one-on-one with Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey and discuss some of the policies and upcoming government events that were really occupying the news at the time,” Jack said. “To actually be able to talk to someone who was dealing with these things and making decisions about them on the national stage live and in real time … it was almost like I was talking back with the news and interacting with some of the events that were going on.” The group was presented the opportunity to speak to an astronaut during a live broadcast at the International Space Station during the program.
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