Des Plaines native receives Military Excellence Award at Naval Station Great Lakes

Seaman Recruit Michelle Pecucci, a Des Plaines native, graduated as top sailor from Naval Station Great Lakes' Recruit Training Command, Division 019, and received a Military Excellence Award last week.

Pecucci, who graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines in 2008, said she was honored to earn the Military Excellence Award.

"At times in boot camp, you tend to question whether your performance is adequate or is exceeding expectations, and winning the MEA is the proof to show that all the hard work I put in has paid off," she said.