Alumni

In August of 2019, shortly after graduating from Ramsey High School, Joe entered boot camp for the U.S. Coast Guard in Cape May, NJ. The eight-week program was academically challenging and physically demanding. He met people from across the country; but, mainly from California. He shared a “rack” with a young man from Virginia. Joe’s training covered topics such as seamanship, firefighting and marksmanship, Joe finished the program able to work as a machinist with the opportunity to continue his education over the next four years. After those four years, he will also be eligible for further education under the G.I. Bill.

When asked how his experiences here at RHS helped to prepare him for life after high school, he reported that the student workload taught him to manage his time efficiently and allowed him to handle the stress of boot camp. Joe played hockey and was a member of the Big Blue Marching Band in high school. He also traveled to Bolivia in 2017 with World Challenge. There, he and his team faced many challenges: cold temperatures on El Choro Trail, an unplanned hike down and up the mountain to get to the service project, and the mental/physical challenges that go along with being in a developing country. Many of the people in his company had not been outside the country! Joe was also surprised to learn that he would have opportunities to travel internationally during his career.

Joe has been assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma in Kittery, Maine. While in port, he will work, train and live in housing with six to eight other members of the U.S. Coast Guard. He expects to be there for approximately seven to nine months. No doubt family and friends will visit to enjoy shopping at the Kittery Outlets and dining on lobster!

Seaman Apprentice Joseph Stitz- Class of 2019