Byram ROTC student goes to Madagascar

BYRAM — In 2016, Byram native Frank Cutrone had a very active year on two continents. Cutrone is a 2010 graduate of Hilltop Country Day School and a 2014 graduate of Pope John XXIII Regional High School. Today he is an Army ROTC cadet at Fordham University in New York, and this year he traveled to the country of Madagascar as part of the Army’s CULP (Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency) program. This program is designed to provide military cadets with exposure to everyday life in different cultures and also intensify their language arts study. Currently a junior at Fordham University, Cutrone majors in international political economy with a dual minor concentration in foreign language.
The Madagascar mission involved both humanitarian and military training components and since French is the primary language spoken, Cutrone was able to fully immerse himself in the language and culture. His group of military cadets also met with U.S. Ambassador Robert Yamate who provided them with background on the country’s economic situation and the important geographic location of the African island. Prior to entering Fordham, he studied French under Mrs. Milena Lombardi at Hilltop and with Mrs. Laura Franc at Pope John. Since the primary language spoken in Madagascar is French, Cutrone was able to use his French proficiency on a daily basis. It also allowed him to better understand the local culture and traditions. Cutrone noted, “Despite widespread poverty, the Malagasy people are a warm group and proud of their traditions. Being able to converse in French, I was able to better connect with the locals.”
Upon return for the fall semester, Cutrone’s daily schedule has involved a rigorous academic and physical routine. Daily early morning workouts combined with his classes, homework, and special projects keep him quite busy. In November, Cutrone was selected to be a member of the color line and help lead the Fordham ROTC battalion on 5th Avenue in New York for the 2016 Veteran’s Day parade. He noted: “It was a real honor to be selected as a member of the color line and lead our large ROTC battalion in the parade.”
Cutrone credits his parents Mary and Nick, as well as his karate Sensei Scott Klinger (owner of East West Karate) with laying an important foundation of discipline and hard work that has helped him navigate the challenges of a rigorous academic and ROTC workload. At East West Karate, he is currently a 2nd degree black belt and serves as an instructor when he is home between semesters. A parishioner at Saint Kateri parish in Sparta, Cutrone is also a member of the St. Kateri Knights of Columbus and a youth member of Sparta UNICO.