Local college students receive American Legion academic awards

February 3, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Left to right: Americal Legion Post Commander Wayne Goulet, Jesse Wilkesman next to his daughter, Kate Wilkesman, Kelsey O'Brien and her dad Kevin O'Brien, and Christopher Wood of the American Legion. Courtesy photo

Waterbury’s Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post #59 recently presented academic achievement awards to two local college freshmen who graduated from Harwood Union High School in 2024.

Waterbury's American Legion Post #59 honored Kate Wilkesman and Kelsey O'Brien, college freshmen studying early childhood education, with academic achievement awards. Courtesy photo

In a ceremony on Jan. 8, Kelsey O’Brien of Waterbury and Kate Wilkesman of Moretown were both honored. They each received a check for $2,500 in recognition of their academic work and association with the American Legion. 

O’Brien is a freshman at the University of Rhode Island where she is studying early childhood education. Wilkesman is a freshman at Plymouth State University where she also is studying early childhood education. 

Both students were eligible for the awards through their grandfathers who are American Legion members as former U.S. service veterans.