Midshipman Alexander Daye, of Amityville, has received a Gold Star at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, for academic achievement during the second term in the winter of 2007-2008. He is the son of Donald and Nancy Daye.

Gold stars are awarded to students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better during an academic semester. An "academic star" is equivalent to being named to the dean's list.

Midshipman Daye is a graduate of St. Anthony's High School and was nominated to the Academy by Congressman Peter King.

The Academy, founded in 1943, trains young men and women from across the nation to be Merchant Marine and Naval Reserve officers, and award them a bachelor of science degree. Midshipmen spend one year of the Academy's four-year program training at sea aboard U.S. commercial vessels.

The Academy is a federal institution operated by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.