Cody M. Cahill, son of Patricia Cahill of Sandy Hook, recently enlisted in the US Marine Corps under the Delayed Entry Program at Military Entrance Processing Station, Boston. Erik V. Dreher, a 2008 Newtown High School graduate, Anthony R. Whitlock, a 2005 graduate of NHS, and Andrew D. Bounocore, a 2010 NHS graduate, also recently enlisted in the program at its Boston station. The program allows recruits to enter the Marine Corps and take up to one year to complete prior commitments such as high school. Using recruiters as mentors, this program helps recruits ease into the transition from civilian to military life. Cody is a 2010 graduate of Henry Abbott High School of Danbury.

Marine Corps PFC Arben Kupa, a 2007 graduate of Newtown High School, recently graduated from the CH-53 Helicopter Airframe Organizational Maintenance Course at Fleet Replacement Skills Training, Helicopter Marine Training 302, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, N.C. During the 14-week course, Arben received specialized mechanical training needed to become a CH-53 aviation mechanic in the Fleet Marine Force. He also received instruction in removing, repairing and troubleshooting aircraft components. After graduating, Arben reported with Naval Aviation Technical Training Marine Unit New River, Marine Corps Air Station, Jacksonville, N.C. Arben joined the Marine Corps in August 2010.

Wooster School senior and Newtown resident Grace Hamilton is among 16,000 semifinalists in the 56th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program, officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced recently. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represent fewer than one percent of US high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. Grace has an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, that will be offered in the spring. To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed by the Upper School head, and earn superior SAT scores. The semifinalist and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application.

Gabriella Ruggiero of Sandy Hook was inducted into the Western New England College, Springfield, Mass., chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta on August 28 during the school’s convocation ceremony. Gabriella is majoring in political science.

 The following students graduated from the University of New Haven in West Haven on August 21: Lorraine Gibbons of Sandy Hook, who received a master of business administration; Patrick McDonald of Sandy Hook, master of business administration; Jacob Gotliboski, master of public administration; and Megan Kelly of Sandy Hook, bachelor of arts in graphic design.