Newtown Boasts Fifth Resident

Attending Military Academy

By Laurie Borst

Meridith Ashley Palo, daughter of Richard and Beverly Palo of Newtown, has accepted an appointment to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy and will be sworn-in as a member of the Class of 2011 on July 2.

Meridith, a senior at Canterbury School in New Milford, will begin basic training July 2 and eight weeks later, college classes will begin. She plans to major in marine law.

She decided she would like to attend the academy after visiting last year for a summer seminar.

“I loved the campus and the people. The atmosphere was amazing,” Meridith said in a phone interview. “There was a strong sense of camaraderie.”

Other reasons for attending include service to country and a desire to always challenge herself.

During her high school career, Meridith distinguished herself in many areas. Besides strong academics, she was on the varsity soccer team, serving as captain for two years. She also played varsity squash and varsity softball.

Meridith was active in Canterbury’s environmental club and in Women of Canterbury, a support/empowerment group for female students.

The smallest of the nation’s five military service academies, the Coast Guard Academy Corps of Cadets represents the nation’s best and brightest students ready to serve and lead their country. Admission to the Coast Guard Academy in New London is highly competitive and less than 400 appointments are offered annually from a pool of 3,000 applicants.

Cadets receive a full tuition scholarship and monthly stipend for a five-year service commitment to the Coast Guard upon graduation. All graduates receive a bachelor of science degree and are guaranteed a position of leadership as a commissioned officer in the USCG.