Name: Brendan O'Connell - Age 19
School: - 2012 Graduate
Accomplishment: As a member of Boy Scout Troop 204, Brendan achieved the . His project involved building four bookshelves and collecting books to benefit the children who attend the center for special education services. He volunteered at the Welcome Inn Soup Kitchen, achieving over 500 hours of community service. He was the recipient of the Congressional Award of Merit at the bronze, silver and gold levels.
The recent grad took six Advanced Placement (AP) courses during high school and was on the high honor roll for every quarter of his four years. He was the recipient of the Award for General Academic Excellence each year and as a senior received the Presidential Award of Achievement. He was the student class president for his senior year, a member of the National Honor Society and the yearbook editor.
O'Connell played the tenor saxophone and the bass clarinet in the symphonic concert band, pep band and jazz ensemble. He competed in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) competition.His excellence on those instruments earned him a place in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) festival in both 9th and 10th grades. He played the bass clarinet in the pit orchestra for the high school drama productions of Curtains and Fiddler on the Roof.
Brendan's skills shone outside of the classroom as well. He was on the Varsity cross country, Varsity winter track and Varsity spring track teams each year, earning a total of 12 Varsity letters. He received the All-League Award, the 2nd Team for Cross Country Award and the Gold Key Award.
Brendan works at the Cedar Beach Bar and Grille, teaches private music lessons and tutors.
Having received the , the 6th Precinct Cops Who Care Scholarship and the Rocky Point Teachers Association Scholarship, Brendan will be headed to Boston College in the fall. He will be double majoring in Finance and English, with a possible minor in Film Study. His career goal is to become a writer.
