Daily Five: First Lady Will Sponsor Submarine Being Built In Groton

1.  Today is Wednesday, May 30.  The National Weather Service predicts mostly cloudy skies, a high temperature of 71 degrees and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. The low will fall to 55 degrees tonight, and there’s a 30 percent chance rain will continue.

2.  First Lady Michelle Obama will sponsor the USS Illinois, a Virginia-class submarine being built in Groton and Newport News, Va, the White House announced in a news release.  Having the First Lady sponsor submarines is a tradition: Laura Bush sponsored and christened the USS Texas in 2004 and Hillary Clinton sponsored and christened the USS Columbia in 1994, the release said. As sponsor, the First Lady will establish a link to the ship, its sailors and their families.

The USS Illinois is expected to be finished in 2015.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as sponsor of the USS Illinois,” Michelle Obama said in the release. “I’m always inspired by the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Navy, as well as the families who support them. This submarine is a tribute to the strength, courage, and determination that our Navy families exhibit every day.” 

3.  The is undergoing some summer renovations and will be closed Thursday and Friday. Park Commission Chairman Tim DeBelle said the park will be closed while a swing set with additional swings and a new slide are installed. If work is delayed due to weather, the installation will take place on June 4 and 5. Four new trees are also being planted to provide additional shade.

O’Brien & Sons based out of Medfield, Mass., is conducting the project.

“Everything will be done by mid-June,” DeBelle said.

4.  The region's Annual Education breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. today at the . Guests will include student Leaders from   , Ledyard High School, New London Public School, Waterford High School, and The Williams School. Patch will cover the event.    

5.  Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has awarded $14,000 in scholarships to seven area students, the credit union announced. The college-bound students were chosen based on factors including academic achievement, community involvement and extracurricular activities. Each will receive $2,000.

The winners are: Qing Ge of Uncasville; Olivia Jean Burdick of Waterford; Fallon Wilson and Paige Palmieri of Niantic; and Fabjola Qosja of Jewett City. Arianna Athenian of Waterford was awarded The LuAnn Dugas Memorial Scholarship; Cody J. DeGray of Brooklyn was awarded The Louise Jackson Community Outreach Scholarship.