Connor Damaré, a junior at Brother Martin High School, has been selected to be among less than 1,000 attendees at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) in June. Damaré is active on the Cross Country, Soccer and Track teams at Brother Martin.
More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. The one-week seminar is designed to help juniors with their college-selection process while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives, in general. All SLE attendees participate in virtual-reality war simulation, military, and physical fitness training. In addition, each student selects three of the 15 offered workshops.
Damaré is part of a strong Brother Martin and West Point family. Connor’s father, Robert Damaré is 1990 Brother Martin graduate, a 1995 West Point graduate, and an Army Veteran. The roots run even deeper with Connor’s grandfathers also serving in the Navy and Coast Guard, along with 3 of his 4 great grandfathers being WWII Veterans.
For Damaré, this summer leaders seminar is more than just an experience – this is the first step towards a life he has been picturing since he was little. He submitted all of his information and went through the rigorous application process 
and was ecstatic to learn the news that he would get a preview of life at West Point during his summer break from school.
“I hope to come out of this summer leader experience with a good understanding of what life is like at West Point, and I also hope it provides a good opportunity for my future,” reflected Damaré.
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federally funded undergraduate college located 50 miles north of New York City. A preeminent leader-development institution, West Point was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of engineering. Since then, West Point has grown in size and stature but remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America’s Army.
Congratulations to Connor on this outstanding achievement! Brother Martin is incredibly proud of his acceptance into this prestigious program.
Information derived from West Point Academy press release.
