NYS Assemblyman honors Students of Achievement

NYS Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R-New Windsor) honored 15 students his first 99th Assembly District Students of Achievement event at Washingtonville Middle School.
Schmitt recognized students from across his district who were nominated by their teachers for making significant contributions to their schools and communities.
The local honorees are as follows:
Miguel Connell, Chester Academy
Miguel Connell is a student at the Chester Academy and the Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, where he is pursuing his private pilot’s certification.
Miguel is currently participating in a summer Leadership Experience Program at West Point. He has already completed his first solo and serves as the president of the SkillsUSA local chapter and state secretary. Additionally, he is a flight commander in the Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the Air Force and a Technical Officer in the Lee Archer Red Tails Youth Flying Program. He is a proud member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor society.
His ultimate goal is to pursue an Engineering degree while attending the Air Force Academy and become a pilot in the Air Force. Miguel was also selected to attend Boys State at SUNY Morrisville in June.
Matthew Lewis, Goshen High School
Matthew has lived in Goshen his entire life and is a very hardworking, dedicated and active community member. He attends Goshen High School and Orange-Ulster BOCES for heavy equipment.
He is a member of stage crew and National Honor Society. He began his journey in scouting in the seventh grade, when he joined Troop 63 in Goshen, and in October 2018 achieved Eagle Scout rank.
Matthew has been actively involved in the troop leadership and attended National Youth Leadership Training. His Eagle Project consisted of replacing 800 square feet of pavers in the ceremony area at Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen. He works as the landscaper at St. Stephen’s School and Parish in Warwick.
Grant Stevenson, Burke Catholic
Grant has been the type of person one can always rely on and has embodied the school model of “Non Vox, Sed Votum” — Not Words, But Deeds. In addition to being a good student at John S. Burke Catholic High School, He played varsity football and lacrosse, of which he was captain of the team. In addition to his leadership on the field he is also president of the student body and was class president for two years.
Grant has been a member of the Key Club, and has been active in Boy Scouts for many years. He is the president of programing for his venturing crew as well as senior patrol leader of his Boy Scout Troop. Grant recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, for which he completed a project of creating a children’s memorial for the children in his community who have died. Next year, he will be attending Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
"These students come from all different backgrounds, have different strengths, talents, and interests but are united in their common goal and purpose in life to be the best that they can be," said Schmitt. "I thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for the betterment of our communities.”