Young New Yorkers Finish in the Top Three for Recruit Class 1 of 2025

Take a few minutes today to read about the top achievers of Recruit Class 1 of 2025. From left are Valedictorian Recruit Officer Cantore, Salutatorian Recruit Officer Vitkute, and Top Shooter Recruit Officer Coakley.

Valedictorian Recruit Officer Cantore

“I come from a law enforcement family and I always wanted to work in this career. I feel very proud that the Department of Correction gave me the opportunity to help make a difference,” said Cantore. 

The Recruit Class 1 of 2025 Valedictorian, who is also the first Correction Officer in her family, also received the Mayor’s Award during our graduation ceremony on Sept. 12.

 
“Training at the Correction Academy was challenging every day, but we always received excellent support from the Academy’s staff to keep pushing ourselves to perform at our very best. The staff here has faith in us, they taught us so much about this career and I think that helped all of us have even more faith in ourselves. I am very proud to be working for this Department and honored to be representing our class as valedictorian,” she added.

Salutatorian Recruit Officer Vitkute

“I was working in the medical field and I saw the advertisement on the subway one day and I decided to apply for the exam. I’m originally from Lithuania and I came here to this country many years ago knowing that I’m going to work in a career where I can help people. Working for this Department is another opportunity for me to help others and I’m looking forward to learning more about this career in the field,” said Recruit Officer Vitkute.
 
The Recruit Class 1 of 2025 Valedictorian, who is also the first Correction Officer in her family, also received the Commissioner’s Award during our graduation ceremony at Queens College on Sept. 12. 

“I really didn’t know what to expect when I first started training in the Correction Academy. This is all new to me, but I learned that it’s a very structured environment. You have to be very disciplined and dedicate time to working out and studying for your exams. This training was very challenging, but we pulled through it. We supported one another like a family and community and I think this experience was all worth it,” she added.

Top Shooter Recruit Officer Coakley

“My dad is a retired Correction Officer and I grew up knowing that working in law enforcement is an honorable career because you get to help the community. I always wanted to work in this career and I have worked very hard to get to this point in my life, so I’m happy to be here,” said Recruit Officer Coakley, who graduated from the Correction Academy with the Highest Firearms Proficiency for Recruit Class 1 of 2025.  

Coakley, who now has the nickname “Top Shooter,” also received our Division of Training and Development’s Deputy Commissioner’s Award during our graduation ceremony on Sept. 12.

“I liked the physical training at the Correction Academy. I played football growing up and all of the workouts helped me get stronger and improve my discipline. At the Firearms and Tactics Unit, our instructors were amazing. They gave us great pointers, taught us precision and it’s very inspiring to learn from them. Training here has been a great experience,” he added.