Scholarship Class of 2024
10/08/2024
Cadet Andrew Byrnes
Cadet Command Sergeant Major Andrew Byrnes served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Wildcat Battalion JROTC detachment in Langdon, NH. He is a 2024 graduate of Fall Mountain Regional High School and a recipient of the Capt. Phaneuf Memorial Academic Scholarship. While Andrew demonstrates exceptional academic achievements, he goes beyond his academic pursuits as a natural leader both inside and outside the classroom. With active participation in co-curricular activities within the JROTC program, he has also served as the Team Captain for the battalion’s Drill, Raider, and Rifle teams. Additionally, he has held many leadership positions, most recently as the Wildcat Battalion’s Command Sergeant Major, where he oversaw and enforced the standards of performance, training, appearance, and conduct. Additionally, he taught and mentored all the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) in his battalion, as well as oversaw the teaching of all lower enlisted personnel. While receiving many awards through the JROTC program, he has also received several external awards, most notably the Sons’ of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet for New Hampshire Medal, as well as awards from the American Legion and VFW, in addition to the Superior Cadet Medal. Outside of academics and dedicated leadership, Andrew is incredibly committed to giving back to the community. He embodies the spirit of service and community engagement and has volunteered countless hours giving back between the Keene Community Kitchen, the Fall Mountain Food Shelf, and other various service activities within his community. He was also part of his local Boy Scout troop, where he attained the rank of Star Scout, as well as held various positions such as Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Den Chief. Andrew has been accepted to Norwich University where he will major in Management which is expected to seamlessly blend with the expectations and duties of Norwich’s Corps of Cadets, which will help him reach his long-term goal of commissioning as an officer into the United States Army.
Cadet Logan Casey
Cadet Logan Casey is the Operations Squadron Commander with the AFJROTC, a graduating senior from the Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH, and is a 2024 recipient of the Capt. Phaneuf Memorial Academic Scholarship. Logan was a recognized leader in the JROTC program and subsequently was selected to serve as the Cadet Operations Squadron Commander. Responsibility he didn’t shy away from and was accountable for planning and executing cadet events and training new first year cadets. He exerted a strong work-ethic while routinely volunteering to lead the cadets in several community service events throughout NH, and personally accumulated nearly 200 hours. While striving for academic excellence, Logan would challenge himself through various honor courses and AP statistics. His presence in the classroom created a productive environment among fellow students. He was a Career & Technical Education Ambassador and was part of the National Honor Society and Kitty Hawk Air National Society. Voted as team Captain for the Junior & Varsity Baseball and Varsity Golf teams his senior year and also coached Hudson Youth baseball for 2 years. Logan has been accepted to Norwich University where he will major in History while participating in the Corps of Cadets Reserve Officers Training Corp program.
Cadet Andrew McLaughlin
Cadet Andrew McLaughlin served as the Deputy Cadet Commander of the Civil Air Patrol Seacoast Composite Squadron at Pease Air Force Base in NH. He is a graduating senior from the Hampton Homeschool Group and a 2024 recipient of the Capt. Phaneuf Memorial Academic Scholarship. Andrew excelled both academically in the classroom and outside with various facets of involvement. With an impressive transcript to back his yearning for knowledge, it is evident how much he strives for excellence. Showing a wealth of personal maturity within his academics, he would ask questions for better understanding and not let things intimidate him. Outside of his personal pursuits, he was also very giving in education, serving as a tutor and co-teacher with the Hampton Homeschool Group, where he co-taught Algebra 1 and was a math tutor for elementary-aged boys. Despite the importance of academics, he also made time to dedicate to his duties within the Civil Air Patrol, where he devoted five years to the program and was nominated as the Honor Officer in the 2023 NH Wing Encampment. In addition, he earned the Mitchell Award, rising to the rank of Cadet 1st Lieutenant, and attended and graduated from the E-Tech Robotics NCSA at the USAFA. In his compassion for others, he was involved with Ukrainian Refugee Care, Uniting for Ukraine Refugee Support Team. Andrew has been accepted to the University of Alabama, where he will major in Mechanical Engineering while participating in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. When he graduates, he will continue his military career serving his country as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Cadet Thomas Shepherd
Cadet Major Thomas Shepherd is the Commander for the Concord NH Civil Air Patrol Squadron and a 2024 graduate of Kearsarge Regional High School. Cadet Shepherd is a recipient of the Capt. Phaneuf Memorial Academic Scholarship. While demonstrating his ability to perform, achieve and excel in over a dozen AP and Honors courses, Thomas was recognized and inducted into the Kearsarge Chapter of the National Honor Society where he held the positions of both Vice President and President. He was a member of his high school's math team and the individual high scorer for his grade level multiple years in a row in a league of eight high schools. With his mathematical, mechanical, and coding skills, Thomas was Co-captain for four years of the KRHS Robotics Team. In addition to his academic achievements, Thomas was Co-captain of the Boys Varsity Alpine Ski Team and Varsity Tennis Team, the latter of which won two NHIAA/NHADA Division III State Championships, and two State Champion Runner-up titles during his tenure at KRHS. Thomas's pursuit of academic and athletic excellence is balanced by his love of music and the performing arts. Thomas performed as a Bass vocalist and featured soloist with the NH Classical All-State Mixed Choir, the NH Jazz All-State Honors Choir, the NH Chamber All-State Tenor-Bass Choir, as well as the roles of Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street and Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia at KRHS. At the age of 15, Thomas attended the Civil Air Patrol National Flight Academy for gliders and earned his solo wings. At 16, he began powered-flight training, and at shortly after turning 17 passed the Federal Aviation Administration check ride and earned his private pilot certificate, single-engine land. Within the Civil Air Patrol organization, with his demonstration of exceptional leadership, he was appointed to the position of Cadet Commander for the Concord, NH Civil Air Patrol Squadron, one of the largest squadrons in NH. As Cadet Commander, his performance has exceeded expectations with a strong presentation of commitment and focus on the success of the squadron all while leading by example and mentoring younger cadets. Thomas also served as the NH Representative for the Northeast Region Cadet Advisory Council and was recognized as the Honor Cadet at the Northeast Region Honor Guard Academy. Thomas has been accepted to Purdue University where he will major in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering while participating in the AFROTC Detachment 220.
