Cadet Melissa Zakrzewski, a Gasport, N.Y., native, has exceeded expectations at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, one of the smallest of the nation’s five federal service academies.
The Academy, located in New London, Conn., holds cadets to high standards of physical fitness, leadership and professional development.
Recognized as one of the top institutions of higher learning by U.S. News & World Report, cadets must complete 200 weeks of college education and military indoctrination.
Zakrzewski earned a spot on the Board of Trustees Honors List and has become a part of a select group who receive the honor. Between one and two percent of the more than 1,000 cadets that make up the corps make the list. “I attribute my success to my family who taught me what love, hard work, and determination can do for you,” said Zarkrzewski.
To be included on the list, cadets must earn three uniform stars for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance during the semester. This means a cadet must simultaneously attain a term grade point average above 3.15, be in the top 25 percent of their class in military performance and obtain a score of 270 or higher on the Physical Fitness Examination.
Zakrzewski is an avid triathlon runner and also a member of the Academy Fencing Club. She is scheduled to graduate from the Academy in 2018 with a degree in Marine Environmental Science.
