Midshipman James Patrick O’Connor II, graduate of Newtown High School Class of 2008, was recently elected president of the Class of 2012 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. Kings Point is a federal academy dedicated to ensuring that men and women are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the global multimodal transportation field. Midshipman O’Connor plans to graduate in June of 2012 with a degree in marine systems engineering and will be commissioned as an ensign in United States Naval Reserve.

Newtowner Kenneth William Cardelle recently graduated from Radford University, Radford, Va. Kenneth earned a bachelor of business administration degree in finance.

Jessica Halloran of Newtown recently graduated from the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design. Jessica earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration.

Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y., senior Megan Petruney of Newtown, daughter of George Petruney and Dianne Schnee, has been named to the spring term Dean’s List at Hartwick. Inclusion on Hartwick’s Dean’s List is an indication of excellent academic work, including the completion of a full course load with at least a 3.5 grade point average based on a 4.0 scale. Megan is majoring in art.

Nicholas Maurer of Sandy Hook, was named to the spring Dean’s List at St Bonaventure University, St Bonaventure, N.Y. Nicholas also graduated from the school in May and majored in marketing major.