Downingtown area vets support youth

Downingtown American Legion presents scholarships, medals to students

The Downingtown American Legion presented scholarships and medals to local students.

DOWNINGTOWN » The Downingtown American Legion again showed its support of young people by its backing of America’s newer generation.

The Charles F. Moran American Legion Post 475, in its yearly recognition and support of the nation’s future leaders, awarded college scholarships, presented and school medals that praised the qualities of good citizenship and character.

The American Legion scholarship winners are Nicholas Cacchione of Downington East High School and Logan Hillsinger of Downington West High School. Several nominees were put forward by each school. Then a threeman team headed by Post Historian/Service Officer John O’Neal did extensive interviews with a number of candidates selected by the schools. “It was a very difficult decision,” he said. The two scholarships are worth $4,000 each.

Recognition also went to six eighth-grade boys and girls in a school award program which takes into consideration the student’s participation in school activities: athletics, clubs, offices, church, and several others. A resume is written by the student describing their idea of a “good American” and what they are doing as a good American, both as an individual and in your community. The award exemplifies six qualities that define character: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service.

The outstanding students, recognized by their respective schools are:

• Downingtown Middle School – Alexa Houseknecht and Sean Herrmann.

• Lionville Middle School – Kathryn McFarland and Jalen Ward.

• St. Joseph School – Lila Ceribelli and Gabriel Calabro.

According to O’Neal, the school award program was started by Post 475, expanded to the Pennsylvania Department, and then adopted nationally.

The Post and O’Neal also received a letter from Louis Margay which read: “Keystone Boys State finished today and I wanted to thank you for providing this incredible opportunity for me. It was a week that will truly shape the rest of my life. I made many new friends and learned countless lessons about leadership, communication, and hard work. Again, thank you for sponsoring me for KBS and enabling me to participate in this great event.”

The Charles F. Moran Post 475 sponsors an American Legion Senior Baseball Team made up of 17 young men 16 to 19 years old. The Dtown Dogs have finished their season at 9-5 and competed in the Chester County Legion playoffs.

The Post is also working with several scouting programs.