Sachem North Alum Completes Basic Training at West Point

A graduate of Sachem North High School has just completed a six-week intensive basic training, known as "Beast Barracks," at West Point Military Academy.

Samantha Picco, who graduated from North in 2011 advanced through this military training program that provides basic training skills in mountaineering, hand grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological and chemical training, according to a statement from the Academy.

Picco, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Picco of Lake Ronkonkoma, entered West Point on July 2 after attending Valley Forge Military College as a prepster on a West Point scholarship. Upon graduation from West Point in 2016, Picco will be commissioned into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant.

The Cadet Basic Training program is described by West Point as one of the most challenging in the four-year degree program.