There are so many outstanding graduates

from Coventry Public Schools.  We'd like to introduce you to them and celebrate their achievements.......

   

Ensign Michael Comerford

Class of 2005

 

After graduating from Coventry High School, Michael Comerford reported to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. He states, “The four years I attended the Academy was the best experience I could have had. Each year brought a new challenge to me as I developed as a Coast Guard Officer.” During his time at the Academy, he spent two summers receiving training on Coast Guard Cutters in various locations, as well as several weeks on the training square-rigged sail ship Barque Eagle. Michael became heavily involved in the Academy’s track and field program as a pole vaulter. He competed at the varsity level for all four years and was ranked in the top 8 of DIII New Englands his junior and senior year. 

 

Michael received a Bachelors of Science in Marine Sciences at the Academy. This program allowed him to study his two passions, marine biology and chemistry. In his senior year, he was honored to continue a cancer research group, which focused on microwave synthesis of potential cancer-fighting drugs. His research successfully synthesized a complex organic compound called Sansalvamide A, a derivative of a marine fungus which has shown promise in fighting colon cancer. The most important part of this research was the ability to synthesize the compound in 1/10th of the traditional synthesis procedures. 

 

After graduation, Michael was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Coast Guard and assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Walnut in Honolulu, HI. His unit specializes in buoy tending, fisheries law enforcement, search and rescue missions and coastal security. During his first trip on the Walnut, he traveled west to Midway and the surrounding atolls where they deployed 8 divers to remove fishing nets which had been stranded on the sensitive reefs. Michael’s unit recovered over 32 tons of derelict nets and returned them to Oahu where they were burned by the local power company.

  

Michael has continued to grow as a leader. He is in charge of a division, and responsible for the education and advancements of his entire crew. “Each day is a new challenge and experience. No matter what, I have been able to rely on the work ethics and determination that I gained from my teachers and coaches from Coventry.”