caption:

Scholarship Awards
The American Legion District #4 scholarship winners, from left: Scholarship Committee Chairman Al Cormier Abby St. Martin, Putnam High School; Abraham Antonelli, Killingly High School; Giovanna Gioscia, Somers High School; John Steglitz, Tourtellotte Memorial High School; and District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre. Courtesy photo.


PUTNAM — American Legion District #4 recently awarded four scholarships.
District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre said the 2021 scholarship awards were presented to Abraham Antonelli of Killingly High School, John Steglitz of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Giovanna Gioscia of Somers High School and Abby St. Martin of Putnam High School, four local high school seniors, who are all members of the National Honor Society.
Abraham Antonelli excelled in academics and extracurricular activities.  Abe is an Eagle Scout and participated in tennis and the weightlifting club at Killingly.  He will be attending Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., in the Global Honors Scholars program.  Abe is the son of Nathan and Leigh Antonelli of Danielson.
John Steglitz is a scholar/athlete. He received Tourtellotte’s Integrity Plus Award, Class of 2021, and National Honor Society treasurer and has been a member of the TriTown American Legion Baseball team.  He will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, pursuing a degree in engineering.  John is the son of William and Kimberly Steglitz of Thompson.   
Abby St. Martin is president of the Putnam High School Student Council.  She is a scholar/athlete, who was the captain of the volleyball and basketball teams.  Abby is active in Girl Scouts, also a member of the Putnam Leo Club and Putnam Rotary Interact Club.  Abby is the daughter of Michael and Amy Beth St. Martin of Putnam.  Abby will be attending Worcester State University in September, where she will be enrolled in the Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan Honors Program.
Giovanna Giosca, an elite musician looking to pursue an in-depth education in music, will be attending Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. A noted saxophonist, Gioscia is an All-National Band selection and was selected to perform at the 2020 Navy Band International Sax symposium.  She volunteered in her church and community.  Giovanna is the daughter of Anthony and Charlene Gioscia of Somers.   
Scholarship Committee Chairman Al Cormier of Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13, said the winners were honored June 6.
Coderre said the American Legion District #4 encompasses Tolland and Windham counties. “The American Legion’s mission is based on four pillars – Care and Rehabilitation of Veterans; Defense of our Country; Americanism; and Service to Youth.  These awards are part of our commitment to the youth of our area and to promoting Americanism in our young people.  We’re honored and proud to support these worthy individuals.”
“The District scholarship committee received a larger than usual number of applications this year.  Following much deliberation, the committee made its selections.  All of these young people demonstrated wholesome American qualities.  Their applications also indicated strength in the area of American citizenship.  District #4 is very pleased to make these presentations,” said Coderre.

.