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Belmondo wins Legion scholarship

From left are Chautauqua County Commander Jim Lemanski, Past District Commander Martin Moot, Bradley Belmondo, Past District Commander Jim Bojanowski, and Past Chautauqua County Commander Henry Link.

Bradley Belmondo of Westfield Academy and Central School is one of two winners of the American Legion Past National Commander Michael J. Kogutek Scholarship.

The scholarship is for $1,500. The scholarship committee looks for well-rounded individuals in a number of areas; scholastic excellence, school activities, service to the community, while respecting the wishes of PNC Kogutek to help veterans and their families. Two awards were presented, each with a check of $1,500.

Belmondo ranked fourth in his class at Westfield with an average of 96.2%. Bradley’s passion is music, both school and community, bands, chorus and a member of the 2019 National American Legion winning Band Tonawanda Post 264 as trumpet player. He plays the national anthem for school sporting and community events, and Taps at funerals. Bradley will be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., with a goal of composing and writing music. His father served 12 years with the Marines and will be rejoining the American Legion after his conversations with the local representatives who participated in the presentation.

In addition to Belmondo, Alyssa Wright of Attica High School was awarded a scholarship. Alyssa’s main passion is as captain of the school’s Youth Court and has been on the county’s Youth Court for five years, along with many school activities and 200 hours of community service. Alyssa attended American Legion Auxiliary 2019 Girls State. Her goal is a masters degree in education, with a focus on biology adolescent education at the State University at Fredonia. Her father served four years in the Army, 21 years in the National Guard and is member of Harder O’Donnell Post 734.

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