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Shanna Post-Maher, daughter of Jeffrey Maher and Lorraine Post-Maher of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. Taking the oath as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, 3rd Assistant Engineer, she was also awarded citations from Maersk Lines Ltd. and The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts for "significant leadership contributions to the Cadet Regiment" and "qualities of effort and leadership most desired in a seagoing officer" at the Academy's commencement ceremonies on June 21, 2003.

A Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senator Paul E. Tsongas Scholar, and recipient of academic merit scholarships from the National Rifle Association, the Ladies Branch of the New Bedford Port Society, the Massachusetts Police Association, the New England Association of Facilities Engineers and others, Miss Post-Maher served as Cadet Chief Engineer for the class of '03 -- the first woman to earn the position in the Academy's 160 year history, according to MMA spokespersons. She was awarded the Leadership Medal from the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States in May of 2003.

Miss Post-Maher has trained aboard the California Maritime Academy ship "Golden Bear" as well as the MMA training ship "Empire State" , visiting China, Japan, Hawaii, the Azores, Spain, Greece, and North and South American destinations. She crewed aboard the Italian Navy sail-training ship "Idea Due" on a trans-Atlantic voyage from Massachusetts to Portugal in 2000, and was crew aboard the Tall Ship "HMS Bounty" in 1999.

Earning credit toward a degree in Marine Transportation, Miss Post-Maher is currently aboard the supertanker "SeaRiver Long Beach" as a deck officer trainee, and will be making the "Valdez Run" from Alaska to California until late August 2003.

Shanna Post-Maher received her high school diploma from her homeschooling parents.

Update: Shanna was given command of the Longbeach--sister ship to the Exxon Valdez--on a recent exit from the Port of Valdez, right past Hazelwood's reef. She's 21 years-old. So much for the leadership jive.

Standing ovation!!!!!!!!!

Shanna was given command of the Longbeach--sister ship to the Exxon Valdez--on a recent exit from the Port of Valdez, right past Hazelwood's reef. She's 21 years-old. So much for the leadership jive.

WOW!!!! God I love all of these homeschooled kids! I can't wait until these kids become our statesmen of tomorrow! They are what I'd call "a thousand points of light."