JAY — Two Spruce Mountain High School graduates are making history at Norwich University.

The school in Northfield, Vt., is a senior military college and the birthplace of ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps, a college-based officer training program that prepares students for military service. Students are commissioned officers when they graduate.

Catherine Castonguay, a 2012 Spruce Mountain graduate, visited Norwich during a veterans open house while a senior. She saw the artillery battery perform and thought it was something she wanted to do. 

Castonguay is now commander of the Norwich artillery battery. She is the first female commander of a specialty unit in the school’s history.

Castonguay said her unit participates at morning Reveille and evening Retreat services. It also supports the Corps of Cadets on Veterans Day, graduation and many other functions.

A psychology major, Castonguay will graduate later this spring. She will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the army.

“I branched into the ordnance corps so will not be staying with artillery,” she said.

In a few weeks, Castonguay will learn where she is to be stationed. She is considering the Army as a career, but says her plans could change.

Erin Gats, a 2013 Spruce Mountain graduate, is a member of the women’s lacrosse team at Norwich.

A communications major, Gats said she likes public relations and marketing. “I’ve always liked to write and take pictures and thought that was the best major for me,” she said.  

Next year, Gats will be the cadet commander, the highest-ranking cadet at the school. She will be the first female to be in charge of the Corps of Cadets.

The two played field hockey at Spruce Mountain.

“Erin was pretty good at it,” Castonguay said.

Spruce Mountain High School Principal TJ Plourde said, “They’re good kids. They are awesome.”

[email protected]