Amy Ignatowski Memorial Award presented to SEC Sault reservist Story and photo by Shannon Dorrity, Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University student and U.S. Coast Guard reservist Will Dautremont received the 2023-24 Amy Ignatowski Memorial Award from LSSU. The award is given annually to an LSSU student who is a Coast Guard member (or dependent) stationed at Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. “I appreciate and understand Amy's love of service in the Coast Guard and for her family. My decision to enlist in the Coast Guard was heavily influenced by my mother who served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1991 to 1998. The way she described her passion for her career and the missions she went on with so much enthusiasm was always fascinating to me, and I wanted to have a career that was as rewarding as hers,” said Dautremont. “My mother, who passed away in 2022, was my personal hero, and joining the Coast Guard was an easy choice to follow in her footsteps and to fulfill the legacy she left for me.” The Amy Ignatowski Memorial Award fund was created by Paul and Robin Ignatowski in 2010, following the loss of their daughter, Amy, who had attended LSSU before enlisting in the Coast Guard. Amy was killed in May 2008 while serving in Corpus Christi, Texas, as a helicopter mechanic. She was pursuing a helicopter license at the time of her death and was awarded her wings posthumously. “I was very touched to learn more about Amy, and to meet her parents,” commented LSSU Interim President, Dr. Lynn Gillette. “We are so proud to honor her legacy with this scholarship and to host this annual event with the Ignatowskis, the Coast Guard and our scholarship recipient.” “This is a special day for our Coast Guard,” said Capt. James Bendle, commander of Sector Sault Ste. Marie “The event reminds us of Amy’s lasting legacy in the community and to our service. Petty Officer Dautremont is the fourteenth recipient of the scholarship, which honors Amy and firmly anchors Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie’s relationship with LSSU and the Ignatowski family. Despite the tragic circumstances, Amy, her family, and LSSU have positively impacted and changed the lives of many Coast Guard members forever.” In addition to meeting U.S. Coast Guard qualifications, candidates for the Amy Ignatowski Memorial Award can pursue any course of study at LSSU, must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and must answer an essay on the topic: What does it mean to live life? Dautremont’s response: “To live life would be to not live in a world of regrets, and to live free of self-doubt from obstacles that may come up, and let them only be obstacles and keep moving forward through life.” . Special agents to shipmates Senior Chief Petty Officer Matthew Ott, left, a U.S. Secret Service special agent, stands with Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Mitchell during the Saint Mary’s College of Maryland Spring 2023 Career and Internship Fair March 28. Mitchell, who is also a member of the USSS, is currently assigned to the Vice Presidential Protective Division as an assistant to the special agent in charge; Ott, a reservist assigned Sector Delaware Bay, is currently assigned to the Presidential Protective Division. Photo courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Mitchell. From left: Senior Chief Petty Officer Edmund Foster, Capt. James Bendle, Petty Officer 3rd Class Will Dautremont, Paul Ignatowski, and Cmdr. Bryan Swintek. 22 Reservist . Issue 4 • 2023 Celebrating Celebrating 70 70 years of the Reservist years of the Reservist
