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Mentoring earns Niagara youth Congressional medal

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION --  It wasn't until Gabriel Curcione's father deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 did the young man feel the weight of being a military child.

Curcione’s father is Master Sgt. Paul Curcione, 30th Aerial Port Squadron.

“It was really hard not having that second parental figure there,” said Gabriel of his father’s deployment. “My brother and sister had to take on more responsibility.”

This responsibility ignited a passion in Curcione to help others. With the help of his mother, he applied for the United States Congressional Award and began mentoring other children who were in similar situations.

“I was able to meet other kids just like me, other military children,” said Curcione. “We were able to share our experiences and help each other out when our parents were deployed.”

Curcione’s passion allowed him to travel the country, speaking with dozens of military children.

“I council the kids,” Curcione said. “I share my personal story about what happened when my father was deployed.”

Mentoring and counseling are traits that are strong within the Curcione family. Gabriel’s father tries to instill these values into his children.

“That’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Paul Curcione. “I love mentoring kids. I love preparing them to eventually take over my job, to see when they get it and that light bulb comes on. It’s so rewarding and I think Gabe feels the same way.”

Currently, the high school senior's more than 400 hours of community service, volunteerism and personal development has earned the Congressional Award Silver Medal.

Congressman Chris Collins presented the Silver Medal April 22 at Wilson High School, Wilson, New York.

“I hope that winning this award will help me get into the Air Force Academy,” said Curcione. “I hope that I’m able to inspire other people to achieve more, too.”

Curcione plans on attending Rochester Institute of Technology this fall. He anticipates joining the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and studying mechanical engineering. He plans to apply to the Air Force Academy in July for the class of 2021.