Lily Herman of Southington received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award as a freshman in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University. She is pictured, above, with Quinnipiac University President John L. Lahey.

Mister GC

Kelley Elementary School has been ranked number 43 out of over 7,000 schools participating in the annual St. Jude Math-A-Thon.

For this fundraiser, students in grades K-8 ask family and friends for a pledge to solve math problems in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon Funbook, with all proceeds donated to the children’s research hospital.

According to officials at St. Jude, the Math-A-Thon has been the largest education-based fundraiser in the United States for over 35 years, and Kelley Elementary School has been helping the cause since 1994.

Kelley School set this year’s fundraising goal at $10,000, but surpassed it with an impressive total of $13,700.

“We were blown away by this number and quite proud, to say the least,” said Denise Sadowski, third grade teacher and Math-A-Thon coordinator at the school.

Before starting this year’s fundraising, Sadowski said the students had extra encouragement when the school received a letter from St. Jude, congratulating them for a ranking in the top 100 schools.

“Students know that the research done at St. Jude’s is shared around the world, which in turn saves thousands of children,” said Sadowski. “They know every dollar makes a difference.”

CHESHIRE—Southington High School students Caitlin Young (field hockey) and James Hoder (boys tennis) were recognized among a list of 344 senior student-athletes at the 32nd Annual CAS-CIAC Scholar Athlete Banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Sunday, May 3. The local pair were awarded the annual Student-Athlete Award.

The Scholar Athlete program recognizes two high school senior student-athletes—one boy and one girl—from each member high school whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, whose personal standards and achievement are a model to others, and who possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage. The honorees are chosen by the member schools and are submitted to the CIAC.

More than 1,700 students, family members, school administrators and coaches were on hand to salute the Scholar Athletes and recognize their achievements. ESPN anchor Bob Picozzi served as the host for the event, and CAS-CIAC Executive Director Karissa Niehoff provided the keynote address.

John F. Kennedy Middle School has announced their honor roll for the third quarter.

Grade 6

The following students earned first honors:

Ernest Arroyo, Neel Avancha, Noah Barbour, Cameron Baston, Elizabeth Beaulieu, Drew Belcourt, Madison Block, Casey Blumetti, Olivia Blumetti, Chelsea Bly, Lauren Bogoslofski, Mikaela Bogoslofski, Alyssa Bowker, Weston Brick, Joshua Budnik, Griffin Campbell, Rachel Carbone, Jackson Cardozo, Landon Carmody, Allison Carr, Pio Castellano, Noah Castonguay, Robert Chasse, Camila Connolly, Margaret Coyle, Kiley Cristman, Kaylie Culp, Jordan Cyr, Dante D’Amore, Fanola Dede, Grace DellaVecchia, Jake DellaVecchia, Arianna DiNapoli, Makena Dlugos, Erin Famiglietti, Jenna Famiglietti, Eljona Fezaj, Colin Fletcher, Trevor Francis, Brynn Freehling, Maggie Fusco, Daniel Garcia, Kayli Garcia, Nadilie Germain, Logan Gillis, Walter Goodenough, Madison Gorneault, Joshua Gregory, Dylan Griffis, Meghan Hammarlund, Daniel Kalvaitis, Chaitanya Karanam, Joseph Keating, Kailey Keegan, Brendan Kiyak, Mujo Kurtovic, Trevor Kushman, Sarah Langdeau, Jakob Langhans, Josh LaRoche, Sean LaRose, Kaylin Leifert, Sydney Leppones, Blake Lewis, Connor Longo, Jenna Lucian, Matthew Luponio, Michael Maino, Gavin Malone, Nicholas Marecki, Shahd Matit, Ricky McBride, Caleigh McDougall, Anna McGrail, Connor McInnis, Mitchell Messina, Matthew Mikosz, Mary Miller, Aurianna Monteiro, Lauren Morrissey, Kajetan Naworol, Kayla-Thanh Nguyen, Cassie Noonan, Greta Panke, Emma Paradis, Dylan Pastor, Kyle Patla, Samantha Peluso, Alyssa Petrone, Emelia Pettit, Diane Pillsbury, Matthew Purpura, Reese Raposa, Harshita Rayapureddy, Isabella Rivera, Jared Rivera, Jillian Rohon, Maliah Ryan, Olivia Salerno, Dylan Sandow, Muhammad Saqab, Katrina Scalise, Nicholas Schmaltz, Sarah Selinske, Brett Sheldrick, Madeleine Silano, Dominic Sisco, Kaley Smith, Muslim Soomro, Gianna Sperry, Ryan St. John, Bridget Stevens, Lucas Sullivan, Jenna Taylor, Joseph Toce, Andrew Vroeginday, Evan Watson, Lindsey Woodruff, Alexah Zaczynski, Victoria Zajda, and Leah Zaslavsky.

The following students earned second honors:

Nicholas Anastasopoulos, Callan Angelo, Abagail Antoniani, Lindsey Arduini, Genevie Bermudez, Alecia Bernetti, Joshua Blancato, Connor Blanchette, Lauren Borchert, Christopher Bowman, Emily Brackett, Paige Brancaccio, Nathaniel Bromage, Elyse Cain, Alexander Cammuso, Makayla Carlson, Eli Carr, Aiden Chesanow, Joshua Chevalier, Allyssa Christiansen, Natalie Chubet, Maya Ciaffaglione, Sarah Clark, Julia Collins, Andrew Colwick, Hailey Comparone, Ethan Culotta, Christian D’Agostino, Corrine Dandelski, Nicholas Davino, John Del Debbio, Adrianna Del Debbio, Riley Derwin, Haley Derwin, Brody DeSouza, Alexander Drechsler, Enaishalee Dugee, Mckenna Dunne, Emily Eigo, Madeline Fisher, Emily Forcade, Michael Furgalack, Nicholas Gaedeke, Meagan Gagne, Savannah Garcia, Christopher Goncalves, Nicole Greco, Haley Gregoire, Justin Guillemette, Madison Haberski, Sarah Hadlock, Franklin Hall, Jasmine Hallett, Alex He, Andrew Higley, Frank Higley, Mya Hochstrate, Sarah Hofmann, Stephen Horak, Jessica Jurgasik, Megan Kashuba, Dylan Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly, Joshua Konikowski, Evan Kristopik, Sara Kuczynski, Katherine LaCluyze, Lindsay Lambert, Joseph Landrie, Olivia Lanteri, Ashley Lazzari, Aidan L’Heureux, Peter Loban, Michael Long, Alyssa Lovley, Hunter Maciokas, Jackson Malsheske, Cole Marek, Ryan Matthews, Cole Matusik, Anthony Micacci, Jacob Michaels, Hailey Miller, Emaan Mirza, Ava Muir, Robert Nadile, Thomas Nardi, Robert Nowicky, Angelina Otano, Kameron Pannone, Kelly Perrotti, Antonio Petrossi, Anthony Picone, Zachary Pulvermacher, Joshua Pyle, Evan Riddick, Margaret Ritchie, Jayden Rivera, Christian Rivera, Sean Roach, Olivia Roberts, Sadie Robinson, Byronn Rodriguez, Dylan Rodriguez, Kyleigh Rogers, Nathan Roy, Bryanna Rubin, Adrian Ruszkowski, Alberto Sarris, Elijah Sheen, Ethan Shurkus, Cameron Sirois, Kevin Sliker, Kailey St. Amand, Skylar Sterling, Zachary Swain, Madeline Symecko, Dominik Szczerbacki, Isabella Tabellione, Olivia Testa, Mary Tolisano, Brianna Van Fleet, Emilia Vauter, Emmett Vitti, Liliya Vynar, Dawsen Welch, Patrick Wright, and Jeffrey Wyskiewicz.

Grade 7

The following students earned first honors:

Faith Auletta, Jessica Bartsch, Mischelle Beerbaum, Nashita Begum, Alexander Belanger, Kayley Benson, Sahiti Bhyravavajhala, Faith Breen, Tara Brock, William Carr, Aaron Case, Ryan Catlin, Maxwell Chubet, Brooke Cooney, Mackenzie Coppola, Avery Cowen, Katherine Crouse, Ashlyn Curtis, Zachary DelVecchia, Emma Doran, Sarah Falcetti, Zachary Florian, Gabriella Flynn, Natalie Foligno, Megan Fortier, Nathan Gorr, Chloe Grabowski, Katherine Gundersen, Michael Gurzenda, Jenna Hall, Kelsey Henderson, Maya Hennessey, Abigail Howard, Kade Huang-Savino, Emily Hubeny, Troy Kieras, Ryan Klinzmann, Zachary Kohli, Erida Koxha, Andrew Kudla, Anthony Lagana, Brooke Lynch, Joshua Maccione, Jenna Mariani, Kasey Mason, Ethan McDonough, Ashlynn McGrail, Christopher McIntyre, John McLaughlin, Derek Melanson, Evelyn Micacci, Jake Napoli, Jessica Nguyen, Emily Nivison, Chetan Patel, Gianna Perugini, Kaylee Phen, Haley Picard, Emma Plourde, Caprina Pugliese, Kathryn Purushotham, Benjamin Ragozzine, Tucker Raymond, Jeremy Rinaldi, Alexandra Rogers, Kelly Rose, Ella Shamus-Udicious, Jenna Sheehan, Evan Sheen, Zachary Silvaggio, Emily Solomon, Hannah Sousa, Victoria Sousa, Vincent Spizzoucco, Chloe Stanish, Taylor Starr, Stephen Statkevich, Morgan Stavisky, Lee Stomsky, Joelle Stublarec, David Sullivan, Mia Sullivan, Jacob Sutton, Christopher Taylor, Joseph Tellerico, Jacob Vecchio, Meredith Veilleux, Stefania Votino, Kiralyn Wadman, Gianna Wadowski, Julia Wakefield, Nicole Wang, Cody Wankerl, and Shane Witkoski.

The following students earned second honors:

Mackenzie Adams, Joseph Albanese, Lexi Almeida, Alyssa Aulbach, Zachary Barile, Katherine Barner, Morgan Barnum, Ryan Barretta, Dean Bauchiero, ailey Becquey, Dion Beerbaum, Cameron Beidler, Mary-Claire Brick, Caleb Brick, Jacob Brooks, Evan Brown, Emma Brush, Nicholas Buonanni, James Burke, Christian Cahill, Caelen Cain, Olivia Calandra, Xavier Callender, Austin Carta, Max Casella, Kaylee Cianchetti, Raymond Cocozza, Christian Cox, Victor Czernecki Anair, Gianna Dangelo, Heaven Davis, Morgan Desiderio, Cameron DeSteph, Daniel DiCorpo, Lindsey Dizenzo, Jack Dunham, Brian Egan, Nina Fabrycki, Kelsey Fernandez, Danielle Flynn, Nathaniel Fortin, Marco Fusciello, Katie Gaedeke, Jake Gagnon, Joseph Gaudio, Olivia Genovese, Nicole Gianni, Ryley Gianni, Ryan Giudice, Riley Hall, Vanessa Heigel, Samer Henen, Javon Hicks, Leah Hinckley, Kiara Hourigan, Minseok Kang, Jared Kelly, Adel Khan, Dillon Kohl, Adam Kosko, Melody Lacombe, Thomas Lebel, Olivia Liberti, Katelyn Lipsky, Justin Lockhart, Mackenzie Longley, Skylar Longley, William Loose, Juliet Lyon, Matthew Maciejewski, Ahmad Mahmoud, Aidan Marchand, Nathan Mariani, Hailey Marziarz, Alexander Mason, Matthew Mauro, Shawn McKnerney, Alexander McPartland, Jake McPhail, Patrick Mercier, Trevor Messina, Christian Mohr, Stephen Murray, Avielle Nanfito, Samuel Nichols, Sean Olson, Vanshitaben Patel, Daniel Perez, Karissa Pfeiffer, Leah Pliego, Nicole Popowicz, Ryan Posadas, Daniel Ragozzine, Aidan Reilly, Jayden Renehan, Jack Ringrose, Justen Roberts, Jio Rodriguez, Zachary Rogalski, Kristin Rose, Hailey Ryder, Sawera Saeed, Nicolas Salinas, Christine Sargent, Mark Secondo, Lauren Seitz, Ryan Shurkus, Brenna Smith, Benjamin Smith, Olivia Stich, Emerson Suski, Ethan Sutton, Karolina Swinicki, Justin Taddeo, Samuel Terry, Portia Testa, Jackson Thibeault, Natalie Thomas, John Tracy, Thomas Turci, Hailey Vargo, Amanda Venice, Joshua Vitti, Olivia Walling, Avery Whitehead, Brandon Wolff, Andrew Wong, Madeline Wright, and Zachary Zembrzuski.

Grade 8

The following students earned first honors:

Emma Agli, Aparna Athreya, Reilly Baker, Seth Bogoslofski, Taylor Borla, Ally Breen, Danielle Cammuso, Asami Castellano, Madelyn Chasse, Lynsey Danko, Natalie Diaz, Rebecca Dorzens, Zachary Doty, Jacob Drena, Julie Duszak, Elena Famiglietti, Christopher Gambardella, Kalli Gianacopolos, Katelyn Gilbert, Adam Green, Cory Hemsen, Emma Higley, Julia Jackman, Kate Kemnitz, Jessica Kerchis, Alyssa Landrie, Mia Langston, Kyle Leifert, Michael Lewicki, Abigail Lo Presti, Ryan Loring, Heather Martin, Jenna Martin, Sarah Mathew, Sarah Matthews, Daria McCabe, Michael McLaughlin, Lauren Messner, Alexander Mitchell, Zachary Morgan, James Olender, Amanda Perkowski, Hannah Platt, Natalie Pyle, Jordan Rinaldi, Marissa Robarge, Erin Robinson, Madison Rocha, Keishla Rosario , Tyler Salzillo, Aliya Sarris, Casey Selinske, Allison Stanton , Tyler Strong, Nicholas Truncali, Chloe Wieleba, Jillian Zakrzewski, Jianella Zegarra, and Colby Zegzdryn.

The following students earned first honors:

David Ackerman, Ethan Agli, John Aligata, Kristen Angeli, Ashley Anglis, Caroline Appelle, Celia Bajrami, Brionna Balek, Kylin Banks, Abigail Barbour, Connor Baston, Evan Belcourt, Kylie Benton , Domenic Bernard, Mary Bilodeau, Karla Blake, Tyler Blancato, Michaela Blumetti, Haley Boucher, McKayla Bowker, Jason Brault, Adam Bull, Desiree Cammuso, Jacob Cardozo, Olivia Carpenter, Matthew Carragher, Colby Courtmanche, Alex Crawford, Sean Crean, Silvio D’Agostino, Mason Daley, Riley Daly, Rachael Daniels, Artenisa Dautllari, Antonio Davino, Alyssa Davis , Alexander Dearborn , Carolyn Del Debbio, Avery DeLong, Kaitlyn Dempster, Ashley DiBattista, Kevin Dlugos, Hailey Dow, Megan Drivdahl, Joshua Dziob, Georgia Falk, Kaitlyn Feeney, Caden Fisher, Victoria Flynn, Jacob Flynn, Chase Galayda, Michael Gaudiosi, Ryan Gesnaldo, Mariah Goldberg, Erica Golia, Vincent Golia, Amna Hamid, Nicole Hatheway, Morgan Hedges, Ryan Henderson , Taylor Holland , Hannah Hubeny, Colby Johnson, Adeline Kilgore, Morgan Kolb, Carlyn Kosienski, Kyle Kraft, William Krom, Justin Kupcho, Michael Kwok, Jamie Lamson, Mason Leland, Peter Leppones, Kristen Longley, Madison Longley, Juliette Lord, Kiana Lowrey, Daniel Lyon , Sarah Mafale, Oliwia Marchut, Chrisala Marotto, Jared Martin, Megan Matthews, John Miller, Anthony Napolitano, Charles Napolitano, Ryan Nelson, Max Noonan, Jade O’Keefe, Charles Panke, Connor Patenaude, Daniel Pestillo, Trevor Porter, Ryan Prendergast, Nathan Price, Ashley Pulvermacher, Timothy Robinson, Kolby Rogers , Jonathon Rossi, Allison Roy , James Rusiecki, Nickolas Russo, Ashley Schiffer, Bethany Schmidt, Jackson Schroeder, Mallie Selinske, Ty Selinske, Margaret Shields, Kian Siadat, Ryan Slesinski, Victoria Sperry, Melissa Tracy , Garrett Van Epps, Luca Veneziano, Cassidy Vinal, Connor Watson, Ashley Willis, Stephen Witte, and Cameron Zawada.

Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School has announced their honor roll for the third quarter.

Grade 6

The following students earned first honors:

Catherine Adamczyk, Mercy Adekola, Sera Altomari, Angelina Angelillo, Devan Bade, Adam Badgley, Andrew Bafuma, Kelly Barrett, Brandon Bernier, Corrie Bonomi, Sammi Bray, Matthew Brennan, Madison Buckley, Caleb Buzas, Dylan Camden, Audrey Cantillon, Alexandra Carabetta, Ella Carmody, Michaela Ceruti, Christina Cheng, Kathryn Clynes, Taylor Collar, Rebecca Conforto, Jeffrey Cormier, Brooke Daigle, Dominic DeCosta, Michael Ditota, Aidan Dolan, Giancarlo Dominello, Giovanni Donato, Elliot Dougherty, Ethan Eng, Caroline Fishbein, James Frechette, Timothy Gage, Sadie Garfinkel, Zuzanna Gawel, Veronika Gorski, Joshua Graikoski, Skyler Gravel, Donovan Greenlaw, Allison Guzauckas, Avery Halloran, William Handi, Dhespina Hilaj, Morgan Hubert, Lindsey Hunt, Marisa Imme, Delaney Jordan, Connor Kane, Shawn Kavanah, Brycen Kennedy, Erin Klem, Faith Kosior, Savannah Krom, Mason Krupinski, Logan Lada, Sara Lafontaine, Sean Lafontaine, Braeden Laframboise, Spencer Laframboise, Tracy Lam, Brianna Lanci, Jackson Landino, Shane LaPorte, Devin Larrabee, Robert Lasbury, Kevin Le, Jolie Leavitt, Gabriel LeBlanc, Cole Lespier, Brianna Linehan, Shannon Litchfield, Dylan Loffredo, Richard Macioce, Darius Mangiafico, Kelley Marshall, Sebastian Maslinski, Anthony Matarazzo, Devin McGlotten, Jack McManus, Grace Michaud, Christopher Millerick, Annabel Molina, Mikayla Morris, Andie Nadeau, Julia Panarella, Tressa Pantalena, Alex Partyka, Matthew Paul, Brianna Pearson, Devin Pelletier, Kayla Pelletier, William Perry, Morgan Perschy, Livvy Pizzitola, Rachel Possidento, Micaela Potamis, Morgan Ramsay, Sophie Reinhardt, Alison Rembish, Maximilian Renzi, Faith Richert, Alina Rivera, Marco Sagnella, Scott Sandulli, Joshua Silva, Sarah Sisto, Sophia Slowik, Abigail Sowa, Brynn Steele, Andrew Steindl, Jackson Sullivan, Giacomo Tedone, Ava Tonnotti, Payton Turnquist, Alexis Valentine, Jenna Vargas, Yan Vasilenko, Jennifer Verrilli, Lauren Verrilli, Jaden Vuong, Jyllian Wagner, Ryan Walsh, Ralph Warner, Stephanie Wills, and Jillian Yuskis.

The following students earned second honors:

Jackson Alfano, Leon Azemi-Vllasaliu, Alexander Bajram, Michael Balachandar, Alexandra Bauer, Amanda Boan, Daniel Bouteiller, Ryan Bowman, Alex Bruce, Jake Bucci, Cooper Burdette, Isabelle Burek, Jessica Burns, Damian Camacho, Presley Carman, Alexa Caron, Brandon Catlett, Ethan Cerra, Alyssa Cleland, Aidan Clingan, Riley Clingan, Julia Collins, Mackenzie Costello, Ethan Cremese, Anya Crooks, Alex Dabrowski, Benjamin Darling, Luke DeAngelis, Abigail Delgado, Aedan Derrick, Kaila DiBenedetto, Erik Evjen, Jack Gallagher, Marissa Ganezer, Emily Garafola, Matthew Geary, Samantha Giguere, Jackson Gilroy, Adam Goralski, Amanda Hagan, Connor Hamlin, Alyssa Heitz, Zoe Hillebrecht, Iqra Hussain, Jonathan Jenkins, Dylan Johnson-Alers, Isiah Jones, Saimir Kaja, Amitojeroop Kaur, Samuel Klau, Trever Kowalczyk, Philomena Krane, Alexander Lantieri, Jazmin Lasane, Lucas Leone, Elisa Likaxhiu, Amanda Lipka, Leah Maiorano, Cole Maluszewski, Justin Mange, Kimberly Martone, Brandon Melgar, Matthew Mirisola, Vanessa Montalvo, Denarius Morales, Jenna Morgan, Nicholas Mowatt, Marissa Nappe, Nolan Nesprido, Shalyn Noble, Adessa Noyes, Jason O’Neill, Adrianna Padua, Kristy Palmieri, Ryan Paradis, Olivia Pederson, Joseph Pedley, Olivia Perkins, Patrick Perlot, Natalie Potter, Scott Putnam, Ashley Reed, Jordyn Rogala, Evan Schmarr, Glen Somers, Emily Spencer, Marlee Susca, Emilee Swift, Dominic Szlejter, Emily Terry, Elizabeth Urcinas, Joshua Velecela, Cody Warren, Noah Watson, Sencere Welcome, Shana Wesley, Mitchell Williams, and Carson Yurgaitis.

Grade 7

The following students earned first honors:

Betul Agirman, Emma Angelillo, Christian Baba, Patrick Bennett, Kelly Bergland, Matthew Biscoglio, Jordan Bishman, Samuel Bouchard, Trinity Cardillo, Alexa Chaltas, Nathan Chamberland, Christopher Chaplinsky, Amy Chudy, Jonathan Cocchiola, Rielley Coles, Taylor Cox, Sydney Cusson, Katherine D’Agostino, Jacob DelMonte, Kelsie Downey, Cassandra Dubitsky, Bianca Ferreri, Connor Fishbein, Jacob Gius, Victoria Godlewski, Emily Goulet, Glenn Halliday, Kathryn Hardy, Tyler Heidgerd, Devin Ireland, Alexis Izzo, Amanda Kaczor, Jordan Knibbs, Avery Korp, Marek Kryzanski, Kathryn Kubisek, Isabella Maindon, Noon Mamoon, Rachel Martins, Andrew McGinnis, Lili McKinstry, Olivia McPherson, Sarah Meade, Megan Mikosz, Natalie Millerick, Marlee Mirisola, Audrey Norton, Rebecca Nunn, Emma Panarella, Andrew Paradis, Ryan Parent, Era Pasha, Matthew Penna, Jack Reilly, Lauryn Reinhardt, Ethan Rembish, Lucca Riccio, Caleb Richert, Nebeeka Saha, Lily Scalise, Manal Sheikh, John Simard, Rachel Strillacci, Autumn Swain, Emily Swanson, Caitlin Taylor, Megan Tedeschi, Anjali Thakkar, Alison Turner, William Wadolowski, Jordan Wagner, Alyssa Watrous, and Daniel Yu.

The following students earned second honors:

Emily Abrahamson, Abigail Abram, Keegan Allister, Mackenzie Alvarado, Ryan Asido, Jordan Beaudoin, Bryson Bernier, Nicholas Breutzmann, Joshua Brilla, Mackenzie Brown, Julia Bruno, Kallie Candelaria, Jeremy Capobianco, John Carreiro, Eric Carrier, Francesca Casale, Emma Castellano, Frank Cerra, Joshua Cofrancesco, Mark Colaccino, Ryan Daddona, Kimberly Delfino, Steven DellaFera, Anna DeLucia, Richard Delvecchia, Madison Derynioski, Evan DeSandre, Shane DiPietro-Bean, Anthony Donato, Austin Doyle, Faith Drachenberg, Katherine Drechsler, Morgan Duling, Robert Fantoli, Delaney Farr, Faith Fenn, Owen Folcik, Bryce Fournier, Hunter Fox, Matthew Frechette, Jesse Freeman, Kristen Gorham, Austin Greenslate, Chad Griffin, Abbey Halloran, Brianna Harris, Madison Hulten, Justin Ierardi, Mekenzie Joseph, Dinah Kavanah, Julia Kolesnik, Anthony Kosienski, Carlie Kubisek, Daniel Kuziora, Jolene Lacasse, Heather Landino, Brett Langland, Johanna Lasbury, Matthew Lee, Nicholas Makles, Kayla Markette, Nicholas Mastroianni, William Matos, Connor McAteer, Sarah McAuliffe, Kevin McIntyre, Dylan McVicker, Ashley Meade, Jack Meade, Michael Melluzzo, Erika Miller, Samuel Miranda, Zachary Mitchell, Isabell Myrick, Ifrat Nabo, Dylan Napoletano, Jake Neuman, Jeanes Nguyen, Nathan Olchanowski, Erik Olson, Natalie Pare’, Ujas Patel, Anthony Penta, Maximilian Peruta, Noah Pierce, Natalia Popielarczyk, Connor Pringle, Katelyn Przybylski, Jillian Rappi, Kalani Rodriguez, Jacqueline Rogus, Francesca Scavone, Mikaela Spooner, Jewell Stanwix, Chase Swain, Jason Teixeira, Brandon Thai, Martyna Tomczyk, Anh Tran, Nathan Tufts, Malik Vasquez, Madalin Verderame-Malachowski, Jacob Wroblewski, Gianna Young, Amanda Ziegler, and Jillian Zitofsky.

Grade 8

The following students earned first honors:

Natalia Adamczyk, Praise Adekola, Amal Al-Hidami, Sarah Anderson, Tyler Bade, Joshua Badgley, Matthew Joe Balaoing, Joseph Bethencourt, Abhiram Bhamidipati, Emily Blaszko, Owen Bouchard, Sydney Bradshaw, Chiara Burgio, Daniel Butlien, Caitlin Cochran, Mikayla Costello, Kelly Doyle, Jennifer Duncan, Logan Fischer, Tyler Garry, Chantelle Gimenez, Michael Goralski, Kate Gray, Jessica Griffin, Maxwell Heath, Lily Heidgerd, Benjamin Hoffman, Russell Hotchkiss, Adam Hunter, Erica Klem, Jason Krar, Andrew Krasuski, Karolina Kurzatkowska, Haley Larrabee, Molly MacAllister, Lillyanna Miceli, Julia Michnowicz, Kate Olsen, Benjamin Palladino, Ivan Taras Panchyshyn, Hieu Phan, Lidia Prusak, Samantha Przybylski, Natalia Rivera, Elaina Rivers, Jacob Romano, Kyra Rosenberg, Charlene Roy, Jeremiah Segrue, Julia Semmel, Olivia Sherwood, Alina Shkuryna, Bianca Spataro, Connor Stifel, Luke Tedeschi, Joseph Verderame, Natalie Verderame, Gabriella Verderame-Malachowski, Timothy Walsh, Jillian Watson, Diane Williams, and Emma Wojcicki.

The following students earned second honors:

Nadja Abaza, Robert Adamo, Samantha Baleshiski, Jake Beaupre, Noah Belkaid, Kaitlyn Bertola, Kyra Brayall, Tina Brazil, Jillian Bryan, Samantha Bucci, Colin Burdette, Robert Cantillon, Valente Castillo, Zachary Christensen, Isabelle Crowley, Sarah Csuka, Hailey Culbreth, Jenna Curley, Carmen-Anne Cyr, John DeGumbia, Shane Domian, William Downes, Jacob Drechsler, Isabella Feest, Gabrielle Fiora, Justin Fontano, Mitchell Geary, Jacob Gravel, Derek Guida, Calvin Gumprecht, Taylor Hamlin, Isabella Hancock, Alia Higgins, Matthew Howard, Michaela Hughes, Brett Hunter, Timothy Jagos, Haram Jamil, Katherine Jez, Brendan Kavanagh, Mackenzie Kavanah, Nathan Lam, Abigail Lamson, Tanner LaRosa, Noah Lee, Emma Lockwood, Nicholas Mangene, Logan McInnis, Brandon McKnerney, Craig McPherson, Jake Miceli, Ryan Mikosz, Julia Mindek, Justin Miranda, Gabriella Mondo, Ryan Monte, Hailey Morelli, Sabrina Morelli, Caitlin Mulligan, Hayden Nadeau, Caroline Natelli, Cameron O’Hara, Kaylanie Pabon, Nicholas Perkins, Rocco Possidento, Olivia Potter, Alessia Ricigliano, Sandra Robel, Hailey Root, Belmin Sadzak, Anthony Sagnella, Ethan Salsbury, Michael Sandulli, Kailey Schmarr, Tessa Schneider, Matthew Semmel, Jake Siedel, Robert Sisto, Eli Steindl, Nicholas Steminsky, Nicholas Stevens, Derek Strillacci, Julia Theriault, Matthew Thompson, Ethan Thomson, Ryan Tombari, Sydney Trask, Michayla Turner, Julia Uba, Mychele Vaillancourt, Alijah Vega, Mary Velazquez, Olivia White, Hannah Zagryn, and Hailey Zak.

The cast of “Once on this Island, Jr.” pose on stage with their student directors, Michael Ricciardone, far left, and Emily Pestillo, far right.

By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER

Fourth and fifth grade students at Kelley Elementary School will now have their chance to step into the spotlight with the school’s newly established drama club.

The club, founded by Southington High School students Emily Pestillo and Michael Ricciardone performed their first play, Once On This Island Jr., at Kennedy Middle School this past weekend.

Pestillo and Ricciardone took the initiative to share their love of theater with kids ages 9-10 this November, when they pitched the idea of a drama club to Kelley Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. The co-directors have been involved in several shows at Southington High School and have worked with community theater companies such as Seven Angels Theater, GetUp Stage Company and the Thomaston Opera House. Since their idea was given the go ahead six months ago, both have volunteered their time after school to prepare more than 20 students for their first performance.

Ricciardone said he was thrilled to bring his passion for theater to his alma mater and give students a new activity that teaches them to be outgoing and responsible, while Pestillo was glad to combine her six-years of experience in theater with her plans to study elementary education.

Kennedy hosted two performances of “Once on this Island Jr.,” a Caribbean themed one-act musical that follows the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a higher class character called a “grand homme.” The directors chose this show for the many solos and ensemble numbers that featured all the students.

The co-directors agreed that the ensemble heavy cast contributed to the biggest reward of their project—watching the cast grow from their first rehearsal and seeing students from different grades and classes join together to learn and work as a team.

“They’re very uplifting” said Pestillo of their teamwork and energy. A senior at SHS, Pestillo is attending the University of Connecticut in the fall to pursue a degree in early education. Pestillo said she was able to learn a great deal about her future career by teaching students about theater.

Ricciardone, a sophomore, said he tried to balance rehearsals by directing scenes and dances and playing theater games that encouraged students to learn the show “as well as the objective of theater, of really opening up on stage and performing.”

Adrianna Palmeri, a fourth-grade student who played the lead female role of Ti Moune, said that learning this objective was her favorite part, and that being in drama club “shows kids how to be able to perform on stage and be able to be open and learn how to project and sing and act for a crowd.”

Reilly Jarvis, a fifth-grader who played Papa Ge, said he thinks drama club is important because it gives students to opportunity “to show the audience what they can do while being someone else,” and said he made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun while rehearsing for the show.

Several parents who volunteered to help with hair and make-up agreed that the new drama club has been a great confidence booster for their kids.

“It is important to have an outlet for the non-sports kids” Christine Babicz, mother of fourth-grader Jessica Babicz, who played Asaka, mother of the earth.

Elke Blanchard, whose two fourth-grade daughters were in the cast, agreed that this new activity was a great learning experience to have at an early age.

Blanchard said she was most impressed by all the qualities the children learned from being involved with theater. “Think about all the skills they learned off stage,” said Blanchard, “teamwork and friendship, commitment and problem solving and public speaking.”

Fourth-grade cast members Palmeri and Cook both agreed that the things they learned during “Once on this Island Jr.” will make them eager to try out for next year’s play, while fifth-grader Jarvis said he will definitely pursue theater in middle school next year.

“Emily and Michael really inspired us,” said Cook.

Both Pestillo and Ricciardone think that this first production will give younger students something to look forward to as they enter their last two years at Kelley Elementary, and hope that the drama club continues as a learning experience for future students.

The Southington High School’s Cyber Knights were honored with the Engineering Inspiration Award at the World Championship in St. Louis, Mo.

The Southington High School Cyber Knights have just wrapped up their six-week long competition season with the World Championship in St. Louis, Mo.

The team, who recently competed in the Tech Valley Regional competition, the Hartford District event and the New England District Championship, had not left a single competition empty-handed this year. The World Championship did not break their streak.

Out of the 3,000 teams competing internationally this season, the Cyber Knights joined just over 600 teams invited to the World Championship. Held at the Edward Jones Dome and America’s Center in St. Louis, the competition drew teams from 15 different countries

The World Championship is the final seasonal program sponsored by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). The event brings together three separate robotics competitions, including the Robotics Competition Championship, the Tech Challenge World Championship, and the LEGO League World Festival, represented by teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Australia, Taiwan, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands, Turkey, and China.

Upon their arrival, the Cyber Knights were sorted into the Newton division where they would compete with 74 other teams from across the globe. After two full days of qualifying matches in this division, the team held an average score of 179, and ranked third out of the 75 teams.

This ranking allowed the Cyber Knights to move on to the playoffs with Team SCREAM from Missouri, team Argos from Illinois and team Ranger Robotics from New York as their allies. The alliance finished the final three matches of their division with an average playoff score of 200.38

At the end of the three-day competition, the Cyber Knights attained the title of Divisional Finalists and were honored with the Engineering Inspiration award. This award is given to only four teams to recognition success in advancing appreciate of engineering within a team’s school and community.

By receiving this award, the team has been pre-qualified for the 2016 World Championship and will have their 5000-dollar entrance fee sponsored by NASA.

These honors topped off the most successful season in the team’s 18-year history, as they finished their season as one of the most decorated teams in the world with seven medals, five blue banners and three special recognitions.

Southington High School has announced their honor roll for the third quarter.

Grade 9

The following students earned first honors:

Nandani Mohit Adhyapak, Rosanna Teresa Airo, Jacob Phillip Albert, Victoria Elizabeth Aldieri, Nolyn Allen, Cora Elizabeth Altomari, Jacob Oscar Anderson, Katarina Marie Aulbach, Cicily Alexis Balachandar, Madison Marie Beaudoin, Emma Marie Becotte, Chloe Dianna Becquey, Evan Scott Bender, William Bernard Blaise, Allison Haley Blaszko, Julia Rose Brilla, Allison Marie Brown, Collin Richard Burbank, Zachary Thomas Burleigh, Marissa Frances Calandra, Carolyn Catherine Callahan, Gina Maria Calo, Jacqueline Rose Carbone, Allison Rose Carta, Sophia Kaitlyn Chaltas, Kevin Chudy, Cameron Francis Clynes, Jacqueline Mariel Coley, Abigail Grace Connolly, Thomas Michael Danby, Carlie Rose DeFelice, Kira Lee Dethlefsen, Julia Nadine Dietz, Kathryn Anastasia Dondero, Michael Jon Dorsey, Melissa Nathalie Drexler, Olivia Maia Fournier, Matthew Thomas Garry, Ariana Gazaferi, Casandra Rolande Govoni, Adam George Gwara, Heather Marie Hannigan, Jeffrey Thomas Hannigan, Taylor Rose Harton, Amanda Stephanie Howe, Taylor Marie Hubert, Aisha Hussain, Katelyn Mary Ierardi, Medina Iljazi, Alexa Rose Imme, Keegan Patrick Jarvis, Ashley Michelle Kane, Rea Kelolli, Felicity Lee Keyworth, Kelly Nicole Koba, Alexander Eric Kuhr, Alex Minh Le, Abigail Rose Legere, Claire Elizabeth Macioce, Teresa Marie Maffiolini, Jacob Thomas Manente, Joseph Charles Martin, Nicole Elizabeth Martocchio, Marissa Lynne Mastroianni, Ariella Danielle Matarazzo, Lamiaa Matit, Sydney Venturi Mauro, Donna Paulette McNeill, Julia Elizabeth McPherson, Mahima Mehta, Hartlee Rose Meier, Sarah Ann Minkiewicz, Daniel Jeffrey Minton, Jacob Andrew Mohr, Jessica Rae Monte, Joshua Robert Moravsky, Kayleigh Anne Moses, Emily Elizabeth Nadile, Kathleen Frances O’Reilly, Katherine Ann Oshana, Timothy Michael O’Shea, Erin Marie Palinkos, Samuel Jacob Pappas, Safiyah Iqbal Pathan, Amisha Paul, Amy Elizabeth Paul, Spencer Daniel Perry, Tyler Stefan Peruta, Jessica Donna-Lynn Pesce, Jacob Steven Petruzzi, Emma Pauline Reney, Anthony Ralph Riccio, Tayler Jordyn Riddick, Andrew Frand Robel, Rachel Anita Roberts, Julia Catherine Rodman, Holly Taylor Ross, Katarina Jewel Rothstein, Alexa Renee Rutkowski, Sylvia Nicole Rutkowski, Brett David Rycki, Christina Grace Sack, Isabella Rose Scalise, Ashley Nicole Shafran,

Saipriya Sharma, Anna Rose Shugrue, Niko Andreas Sophroniou, Faith Largo Sporbert, Caitlyn Elizabeth St. Jarre, Bethany Nicole Synott, Robert Harrison Taylor, Cade Joseph Testa, Jennifer Thai, Zachary Ryan Thomas, Emily Anne Tinyszin, Vanessa Lynn Tischofer, Coral Rae Tommervik, Daniel Francis Topper, Amanda Jo Travers, Ester Nataliya Vynar, Janette Kaitlyn Wadolowski, Benjamin Joseph Wakefield, Stephanie Huei Shien Wang, Joelle King Wankerl, Madina Welcome, Julia Marie Wells, Rachel Nicole Williams, Brett Michael Wolff, Molly Page Wright, Sean Michael Young, Lydia Yu, Kateryna Yurkevych, Emily Sophie Zakrzewski, Kara Anne Zazzaro, Lia Eileen Zelvis, Stephanie Anne Zera, and Sammi Zhang.

The following students earned second honors:

Renn Mitchell Abramczyk-Dubiel, Michael John Abucewicz, Brianna Marie Albanese, Maria Alecsandru, Sarah Nicole Allard, Haley Rose Allen, Kaili Marie Anziano, Samantha Dawn Appelle, Catrina Marie Aszklar, Jessica Lynn Baillargeon, James Joseph Baril, Samantha Christine Barmore, William Henry Barmore, Gabriella Marie Bassi-Belanger, Andrew Arthur Bauer, Jordan Edward Beaupre, Mackenzie Ann Beaupre, Shawn Michael Begin, Nicoletta Alexandra Belales, Megan Elizabeth Biscoglio, Amanda Jillian Boccio, Ali Aurora Borkowski, Victoria Elizabeth Bouyea, Jordan Timothy Brayfield, Logan Paul Brayfield, Brandy Suzanna Brinton, Cole Joseph Brock, Erica Taylor Bruno, Connor George Brush, Timothy Joseph Budnik, Hayden Thomas Burbank, Jordan Michele Cammuso, Kayleigh Elizabeth Carmichall, Nicole Frances Carter, Ryan Daniel Case, Elizabeth Carolyn Cassan, Amy Autumn Cayer, Gabrielle Marie Cerra, William Augustino Ceruti, Dylan Robert Chiaro, Clark Nicole Jacildo Chua, Chelsea Mary Cocozza, Steven Douglas Cova, Jared Ryan Curtis, Evan Michael Daddona, Nicholas Steven Daddona, Mark Anthony D’Agostino, Noah Alexander De Jesus, Jacob Loren DeLorenzo, Kaitlyn Nicole DeMaio, Rachel Catherine DePonte, Sarah Lorraine Dill, Brianna Rae Dixon, Molly Margaret Dobratz, Zachary Michael Domian, Isabella Rose Dominello, Trevor Jeffrey Dufresne, Kaylee Ann Fantoli, Francesca Isabelle Ferrante, Mario Joseph Ferreri, Michelle Carolyn Flynn, Ryan James Flynn, Katherine XiPeng Foley, Lauren Nicole Foligno, Anthony Gandolfo, Brianna Michelle Gee, Erica Christine Gerrish, Julia Rose Groll, Deborah Lynn Hannigan, Jack Roland Herms, Jacob Allen Holbrook, Nathaniel Luis Huff, Daniel Jack Hunter, Katie Morgan Judge, Mikaela Amore June, Brandon Jeshu Jurkowski, Julia Rose Kahl, Quintin David Kimmel, Alex Charles Klinzmann, Joseph Andrew Koczera, Brandon Christopher Kohl, Radoslaw Konopka, Jonathan Michael Kryzanski, Jake Joseph Kubisek, David Christopher Kupcho, Megan Jean LaMontagne, Conner Joseph Leone, Shane Marshall Leone, Sarah Rosalinda Lew, Alexander Yuri Lipsky, Ariana Llabani, Andrew James Lohneiss, Zachary Joseph MacDonald, David Bryan MacKay, Faryn Makaela Malley, Sydney Ann Marecki, Samuel Joseph Masotta, Jeremy Ryan Mercier, Zachary Robert Monti, Sarah Flynn Myrick, Sarah Rose Newhart, Katthy H Nguyen, Michelle Evelyn Nogaj, Eric Joseph Padden, Gianna Teresa Passarelli, Britni Paige Pastyrnak, Madison Marie Penna, Tiana Glizmar Perez-Toro, David Donald Perlot, William John Pfanzelt, Jonathan Francis Pierson, Megan Elizabeth Posadas, Kayla Frances Powers, Nicholas James Ragozzine, Ethan Paul Rathbun, Sydney Nicole Rice, Timothy Robert Sadlowski, Sana Saeed, Isabella Francesca Salazar, Brittney Paula Sao, Lauren Michele Schiffer, Shaan Shah, Suchi Sanjay Sheth, Ashley Son, James Walter Starr, Kendall Jaye Suski, John Michael Terray, John Charles Terry, Samuel Joseph Thomson, Phuong Anh Trinh, Thomas Philip Tsangarides, Lissette Urena, Karista Elizabeth Valenti, Anthony Michael Vecchio, Jasmin Vega, Justin Paul Verrilli, Shivali Hemant Vyas, David Nicholas Wadman, Tagan David Welch, Rosalie Mae Whitehead, Karolina Lucyna Wneta, Patrycja Izabella Zajac, Hannah Elizabeth Zelina, William Joseph Zesut, and Nicholas George Zollo.

Grade 10

The following students earned first honors:

Madison Catherine Aldieri, Hallie Mackenzie Altwies, Kelly Christina Angeli, Alissa Beverly Anglis, Katerina Victoria Belales, Kayla Elizabeth Birmingham, Skylar Jayne Blumetti, Jenna Michelle Boccio, Sydney Janet Brault, Jennifer Theresa Briscoe, Megan Elizabeth Burke, Laura Catherine Calandra, William David Carbone, Meghan Elizabeth Cichon, Samantha Mae Cocchiola, Kristen Claire Craven, Annelise Maria D’Abramo, Anthony Mario D’Abramo, Evan Charles D’Agostino, Erica Marie Daigle, Amanda Marie Delorme, Megan Kathleen Delorme, Nickolina Cecelia Doran, Victoria Alice Duszak, Kata Erika Erdei, Katherine Olivia Estell, Jared Adalid Fernandez, Hunter Mason Forrest, Michael Thomas Freeman, Laura Izabela Furtak, Rebecca Rose Gagne, Sarah Elizabeth Gallo, Jay Vipulkymar Gandhi, Emily Coyle Gibney, Justin David Giumelli, Matthew Kyle Gundersen, Alexandra Nicole Harris, Kyle James Hermann, Joshua James Hilliard, Evelyn Jordan Holbrook, Rachel Maria Huff, Hannah Mcallister Jackman, Katie Patricia Kelley, Kendra Helen Kochol, Kelly Anne Kritz, Sydney Rae Kroll, Erik Michael Kryzanski, Amanda Danielle Lavoie, Kimberly Ann Lebel, Michael William Listro, Rebecca Ann Lo Presti, Michael James Loose, Emily Lynn Lyons, Morgan Taylor Maccione, Alexa Eman Maddalena, Janelle Kathleen Mangassarian, Maegan Mariani, Marissa Joan Matarazzo, Kristen Elizabeth Mathew, Leen Matit, Michael Dean Mauro, Ryan Alan McIntyre, Matthew William McLaughlin, Jordan Michael McMeans, Natalie Ann Messner, Amanda Carol Morach, Mark James Murdy, Thomas James Murdy, Catherine Linda Myers, Ashley Michelle Nelson, Madelyn Jane Nichols, Jillian Lee Noli, Hannah Lyn Olsen, Anjali A Patel, Timothy Carlton Perry, Justin Jettarith Phen, Andrew Joseph Premus, Samantha Shalini Purushotham, Jesse Peter Rasten, Morgan Jean Raymond, Michael Blake Ricciardone, Turner William Rodman, Benjamin Edward Russman, Samantha Rose Sagnella, Joseph James Savage, Joseph Gerald Savarese, Matthew James Sciota, Kaitlin Marie Semmel, Kyle Stephen Semmel, Nathan Raymond Simard, Kyle Glen Solomon, Jeremy Adam Spooner, Kimberly Elizabeth Stafko, Samantha Beatrice Steeves, Carson Rose Stifel, Brandon Thomas Stone, Monique Regina Szabo, Caitlin Marie Taddeo, Brendan Anthony Taylor, John Luke Testa, Olivia Nichole Thomas, Stephen Joseph Vollaro, Megan Elizabeth Walsh, Natiya Virginia Washer, James Patrick Cahalane Weil, Michelle Lynn Woodruff, and Alexa Christina Zborowski.

The following students earned second honors:

Abigail Victoria Alfieri, Alyssa Ann Ash, Abigale Ann Asklar, Lily Leanna Baker, Rachel Lauren Baldick, Martha Cooper Barry, Katherine Claire Bauer, Nicholas Paul Benham, Ryan James Bjorklund, Alyssa Marie Boucher, Dorina Bregu, Taylor Ann Brown, Robert Victor Bunting, Makenna Jane Calabrese, Michaela Anne Carrera, Andrew Dana Chavez, Kyle David Chinigo, Haley Mary Chmura, Nicole Krystyna Chuchro, Alex Nicole Ciaffaglione, Kamryn Lee Cochrane, Dominic Joseph Coppola, Christian John Crowley, Tyler Jeffrey Cyr, Dante Raffaelle D’Agostino, Bianca D’Amore, Dante Angelo DeCesare, Michael Joseph DeFeo, Matthew Anthony DeLorenzo, Hannah Elizabeth DeMaio, Cassandra Lynn Dethlefsen, Kenneth John Dowler, Brian Patrick Durocher, Brianna Lynn Eigo, Juliana Rose Ferreri, Mateusz G Gaciarz, Andrew William Gallagher, Shamus Liam Geel, Erin Mary Gibney, Lyndsey Taylor Giudice, Kelly Ann Graff, Jonathan Michael Gray, Samantha Leann Greenslate, Rachael Lynn Haberski, Daniel Charles Hackerman, Jordan Elizabeth Helton, Kylie Victoria Helton, Lynia Lane Hilke, Kailey Rose Hinckley, Michael Paul Jagos, Emma Elizabeth Jaworowski, Emma Madeline Johnston, Lauren Kathryn Jones, Jessica Nicole Karwowski, Catherine Marie Kates, H. Dustin Kilgore, Jordan Danielle Lamkins, Samantha Marie Lamkins, Lexie Reneve Lewis, Andrew Lester Luczak, Crystal Anne Madore, Megan Elizabeth Mahon, Ryan Michael Mailhot, Christopher Alan Martin, Samantha Lynn Martins, Connor Michael McDonough, Kaitlyn Emily McNamara, Mark Andrew Meade, Margaret Rose Meehan, Taryn Leigh Meenan, Samuel Mena-Peralta, Ryan Thomas Meneo, John Richard Mindek, Peyton Francis Mitchell, Sean Thomas Molgano, Andrew Reed Monteleone, Julia Anna Mularczyk, Gabrielle Katherine Mulholland, Samantha Paige Nardi, Tianna Marie Oliva, Lars Joseph Olson, Isaiah Breon Osorio, Elysse Cassandra Page, Evyenia Christina Papageorge, Vasoula Erene Papageorge, Brianna Nicole Pellerin, Ariel Rose Perry, Delaney Ann Picard, Jessica Piotrowski, Thomas Aldo Ragozzino, Nathan Michael Raposa, Nicholas Joseph Rappi, Joshua Joseph Richardson, Bailey Joseph Robarge, Alexyss Tiffany Roderick, Stephen Andrew Rutkowski, Ellen Maighread Scafariello, Paul Lloyd Schweiger, Brendan Shea, Ryan Patrick Sheehan, Kristen Grace Shubert, Delaney Rose Smick, Noah Edward Tedeschi, Mallory Brooke Terry, Mark Anthony Testa, Adam Hunter Theriault, Alison Nicole Theriault, Lauren Marie Torino, Madison Marie Trask, John Christopher Vecchio, Oksana Maria Voronchak, Hannah Mary Weir, Madison Haley Whillock, Madison Marie Yurgaitis, and Michael Anthony Zera.

Grade 11

The following students earned first honors:

Andrew Carl Ardolino, James Andrew Brino, Rachel Jordan Bruno, Brooke Alexandra Camden, Anthony Michael Cammuso, Raegan Elizabeth Casarella, Katelin Hope Chamberland, Fizza Shahzad Chaudhry, Nicole Cecile Christensen, Timothy Daniel Cocozza, Jennifer Anne Congdon, Adam Griffin Cormier, Olivia Patricia Cranney, Andrea Clarice Defeo, Sarah Julia Dolan, Steven Raymond Dorzens, Megan Marie Enright, Kathryn Grace Falcetti, Skye Ashley Farago, Jessica Nicole Gagnon, Michaela Rae Ganezer, Natalia Gimenez, Nicole Ann Groll, Jessica Ann Howe, Jenny Alexandra Johnson, Samantha Mary Jones, Kayla Elizabeth Kavanagh, Jacob Kligerman, Gregory Daniel Kloczko, Laura Melissa Koba, Visal Kong, Caitlyn Anne Krar, Reed Alexander Kroll, Kyle Allen Lalla, Sylwia Lewkowicz, Kristina Marie Linehan, Samantha Jo Lohneiss, Emily Anne Maciejewski, Salvatore Magnano, Colton Michael McInnis, Haley Anne Mullin, Brianna Marie Muscio, Shannon Kimberley O’Connor, Lauren Marie Parker, Alissa Karolyn Paul, Dane Michael Penksa, Valerie Mary Perzanowski, Niels Justin Peschel, Nicholas Alfred Pierson, Emma Lynn Powers, Alex Ernest Rasten, Gabriella Ann Roccasecca, Michael Joseph Ruszczyk, Benjamin Vincent Sadlowski, Amanda Karnika Sao, Brenna Marie Sarantides, Amy Serrano, Jhanvi Dharmesh Shah, Morgan Patricia Shubert, Lucia Sintoni, Nicolette Marie St. Amand, Emily Elizabeth Stafford, Mark Allyn Stalter, Alexander Joseph Statkevich, Paris Marie Testa, Krysta Tsangarides, Edmond Keith Vitcavage, Natalie Kalea Wadolowski, Ryan James Wells, Codie Anne Wershoven, and Joseph Allen Zavorskas.

The following students earned second honors:

Leandro Antonio Alejandro, Griffin Richard Alix, Kayla Rose Allaire, Paige Marie Allen, Dominic Joseph Annunziata, Timothy Peter Anop, Jonathan Nelson Ardolino, Alicia Marie Badorek, Austin Tyler Baumann, Shallynn Ivy Beerbaum, Joseph John Bernetti, Wiktor Franciszek Berniak, Kimberly Libby Biela, Alexandra Anna Bieniek, Brandon James Birmingham, Nathan Michael Blitz, Ashley Madison Brasile, Nicole Ann Breedlove, Austin Andrew Bull, Kyle Andrew Bunko, Samantha Joan Butlien, Jacob Caine Buzzell, Lauren Ann Cafasso, Rebecca Morgan Caisse, Victoria Elizabeth Castillo, Luis Chadwick Chavez, Payton Lynne Chiaro, Matthew George Cianciolo, Hannah Leigh Comparone, Hayley Jean Crafts, Tessa Alexandra Daly, Anna Daniela DeCroce, Anthony Carl DeGennaro, Margaux Lee Degumbia, Christie Marie Dizenzo, Connor Edward Dombal, Kealey Bridget Donahue, Rachel Leigh Dufresne, Daniel George Fagan, Drew Thomas Farkas, Luke David Ferreira, Jarod Alec Florian, Riley Weber Freehling, Katrina Marie Furgalack, Paul Michael Gambardella, Sean Kevin Garrison, Cassandra Michele Gaudio, Trevor James Godston, Bethany Rose Greenlaw, Mark George Howland, Danielle Rose Hughes, Christopher William Iverson, Julia Nicole Izydorczak, Danielle Nicole Jaffer, Jessica Elizabeth Kane, Hassan Afzal Khan, Sana Tanveer Khan, Alyssa Kizilski, Ashleigh Michaela Kristopik, Kevin Alexander Kukla, Kevin Allen Lalla, Sarah Elizabeth Lamb, Jessica Gail Lappen, Kelly Lynn Lappen, Katie Ann Lindberg, Jeffrey Ryan Lockwood, Scott Michael Lucian, Michael Alan Majchrzak, Justin David Makles, Emily Rose Mankus, Gage Rodney Marshall, Kelly Bridget McKenna, Morgan Elizabeth McNamara, Steven Andrew McPherson, John Philip Meade, Kaylah Dahnay Miron, Jacob Riley Morrell, Brandon Joseph Murray, Nathaniel Ryan Nagorski, Catherine Lloyd Najarian, Gabrielle Lauranna Napoli, Alexis Caitlyn Negron, Kasey Lee Newman, Nicholas Ottalagana, Jacob Alexander Pabst, Ryan Shawn Partiss, Katherine Rose Peccerillo, Christopher Michael Pestillo, Kali Pliego, Devin Michael Prive, Griffin Scott Ramey, Renz Patrick Rebeca, Allie Nicole Rinaldi, Faith Marie Ritchie, John Francis Rivers, Trever Medeiros Rogers, Domenic Stephen Rossi, Kalista Rose Ruoff, Gabriel Rzadkiewicz, Samantha Schiffer, Allison Mara Schroeder, Jessica Taylor Seitz, Sarah Sherwill, Justin Christopher Sliker, William James Smelley, Kelsey Shae Snodgrass, Steven Sokolowski, Jason Joseph Soltys, Amelia Marie Sponauer, Andrew Thomas Szandrocha, Melanie Lauren Tedeschi, Amanda Annmarie Thompson, Aaron Nicholas Tiscione, Jason Steven Tosta, Kahli Marie Travers, Nathan Quang Truong, Katherine Anne Trykowski, Jennifer Turci, Amanda Lee Valerio, Delana Hope Veilleux, Diana Frances Verderame, Abigail Cecelia Wallace, Christasia Denyse Walton, Lindsey Rose Witte, Alexandra Wyluda, Aron Francis Zamfino, Aaron Joseph Zerbe, Angelina Jennifer Zollo, and Gabriella Rose Zuk.

Grade 12

The following students earned first honors:

Alexandria Abacherli, Megan Marie Albert, Alexandra Veronica Barmore, Zachary Reinhold Bauer, Erik Robert Bergland, Jonathan Robert Blain, Angelica Hope Brilla, Cassandra Lynn Camilli, Patrick David Carozza, Kayley Ann Carrier, Jenna Rosemary Casey, Caroline Louise Charlton, Ashley Virginia Christensen, Bridget Emily Clark, Sarah Rose Colston, Elizabeth Bern Costello, Erin Mary Cova, James Samuel Danielson, Austin Devin DeGumbia, Kevin Michael Drexler, Matthew Mark Duszak, Olivia Rose Ende, Julie Amanda Falk, David Matthew Falvo, Michael Matthew Fazzino, Kayleigh Jane Flanigan, Kayla Mary Folcik, Chelsea Rose French, Miranda Gazaferi, Mack Richard Golos, Jessica Lynn Goralski, Julia Marie Granato, Anna Leigh Gregoire, Jocelyn Azalie Gregor, Patrick James Gustavson, Abigail Tatyana Heller, Monica Nicole Hicks, James Patrick Hoder, Meghan Marie Kelley, Sarah Caitlin Knight, Sharon Kwok, Sarah Anne Leahy, Jessica Nicole Lee, Kristen Elizabeth Loose, Sarah Margaret Luczak, Joshua Paul Marcil, Angela Marie Masciangioli, Marissa Ann Mayo, Katherine Jennifer Mellitt, Margaret Ann Mellitt, Anthony Meneo, Eric Joseph Minton, Jennifer Rose Monte, Zachary David Murillo, Talia Rae Nanfito, Flora Alicia Nardi, Mikayla Lynn Otis, Ryan Timothy Padden, Sarah Ilona Palko, Megan Hope Palumbo, Colby Lee Pelletier, Ryan Louis Pelligrinelli, Evan Thomas Pokorski, Bailey Elizabeth Potter, Ryan Patrick Pulver, Cassidy Erin Race, Julia Lynn Reilly, Francesco Ricigliano, Raquel Josephine Romano, Alexandra Mae Rothstein, Rebecca Diane Ryan, Louise Anna Schutz, Brett David Shaw, Autumn Eliza Sheffy, Jarod William Shurack, Ryann Madison Snodgrass, Matthew Nicholas Sorrentino, Kimberly Ann Southland, Kathleen Mary Spagnoletti, Connor Alexander Sperry, Alana Erin St. John, Matthew Gray Steeves, Victoria Hanna Stepien, Rianna Leigh Susco, Alexa Rose Taylor, Michael Brian Taylor, Michael Alan Theriault, Matthew Salvatore Torrisi, Rebecca Tsangarides, Veronica Ann Viturale, Adam Jeffrey Viviano, Abigail Nicole Wadman, Colleen Elizabeth Walsh, Brittany Amber Williams, Caitlin Eileen Young, and Maghen Elizabeth Zagryn.

The following students earned second honors:

Ryan Abouchacra, Alaina Elizabeth Albino, Meagan Rose Asklar, Rachel Mackenzie Babon, Caroline Ruth Barry, Erich Nicholas Bender, Cheyenne Deanna Bevans, Tiffany Amber Blancato, Melissa Christine Borysewicz, Michael Nicholas Botsacos, Nickolas Gary Brazil, Tyler Robert Brinton, Matthew James Briscoe, Alicia Marie Brocki, Adam Philip Brush, Kaitlyn Ann Budrow, Michael Arthur Burek, Zachary Charles Bylykbashi, Emily Kate Csuka, Austin Riley Daly, Breanna Rae DiDomizio, Dominic Dante Discepolo, Tyler Joseph DiTunno, Jessica Lynn Dos Santos, Kateri Eileen Downes, Casey Francis Doyle, Sariah Natalie Dutkiewicz, Marissa Ann Feeney, Nicole Elizabeth Fischer, Mackenzie Lee Flanigan, Kendra Nicole Friedt, Michele Elaine Gamelin, Jared Thomas Gavronski, Rebecca Ann Gerrard, Allison Kathleen Gibney, Ryan Edward Goldstein, Elena Kathryn Gomez, Alexander Joseph Gorr, Amanda Jeanne Hamel, Antoine Latiye Harris, Adriel Hernandez, Kendra Marie Hill, Abigail Elizabeth Hodges, Amanda Jean Hudick, Marissa Lynn Jackson, Alexander Edward Jamele, Kunal Niraj Kataria, Arooba Tanveer Khan, Sana Khan, Devin Michael King, Christopher Douglas Kingsbury, Leah Marie Kligerman, Haley Marie Kolesnik, Antonella Marie Kuziak, Ellie Marie Lefkovich, Jared Evan Lentini, Zachary Daniel Levesque, Emily Anne Lippincott, Natalie Marie Liquindoli, Alison Nicole Lonicki, Catherine Emily MacKay, Erin Diana Martin, Nicholas John Mauriello, Gwyneth Ann McFall-Gorman, Melissa Linda McKim, Haley Lee Messenger, Kayla Lorraine Michalic, Jake Thomas Moise, Jacob Samy Molgano, Jacqueline Lynn Morelli, Jack Scully Myers, Rebekah Lynn Najarian, Rachel Alexandra Nardi, Luke Thompson Nichols, Connor William O’Hara, Zaya Eugene Oshana, Franklin Anthony Pac, John Joseph Pac, Kyle William Partiss, Priya A. Patel, Kaitlin Jean Paterson, Katelyn Kathleen Pavloski, Lee Ann Elizabeth Pelletier, Emily Belle Pestillo, Christian Joseph Raczka, Mitchell Stanislaus Raczka, Erin Kathryn Reilly, Kailey Victoria Richardson, Nicole Elizabeth Ricker, Destiny Joelie Ritchie, Nicholas Jordan Rosario, Courtnie Rebecca Roy, Isabella Rose Russo, Cristian Sanchez, Jacob Erik Semmel, Lillian Rose Shaw, William Fitzgerald Smith, Zachary Kyle Spratto, Ciarra Elexus Sukatski, Morgan Alexa Terry, Jake Michael Thayer, Julia Rosemarie Tinyszin, Curtis Edward Topper, Christina Ann Trovato, Elizabeth Mary Veilleux, Nicole Megan White, Adam Joseph Whitford, Elizabeth Constance Woods, Neil Edward Young, Jolanta Lucy Zajac, Destinee Ayaissa Zarrelli, and Lauren Marie Zazzaro.

House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (D – Southington/Berlin) and Representative David Zoni (D – Southington) hosted Jenny Magnoli, a student from Southington High School, at the State Capitol in Hartford. Magnoli was presented with a citation for winning the 2015 Connecticut VFW “Voice of Democracy” essay contest. Each year, nearly 38,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition. As Connecticut’s first-place winner, Magnoli received a $1,000 scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER

The Board of Education (BOE) voted Thursday to adopt their operating budget for the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year as approved by the Board of Finance (BOF) and the Town Council.

The budget, totaling $89,667,401, falls $530,000 below the amount the BOE originally requested for their operations in the coming fiscal year. In an operating budget report released by the BOE in February, the board asked for $90,197,401, a 3.59 percent increase from their budget during 2014-15.

The request came after eight months of review from the board, superintendent, and school faculties. Principals and program coordinators for Southington Public Schools began reviewing spending guidelines and developing their budget requests in October 2014.

After two budget workshops and the superintendent’s budget recommendation, the BOE made their request in February. The requested increase from this fiscal year’s budget was included to account for several financial needs, including increased wages and benefits for full time employees (FTEs).

Salaries and benefits account for 80 percent of the total budget. Wage increases per union contracts raised the wages of administrators, teachers, maintenance staff, secretaries, nurses and paraprofessionals by an average of 2.2 percent.

The total salary increases for existing personnel accounted for $1,472,549, or 1.69 percent of the budget, while benefit increases added another $1,196,390 or 1.37 percent.

After reviewing the budget proposal, the BOF awarded the BOE a 2.98 percent increase from last fiscal year, falling $530,000 short of their request.

On May 11, the Town Council met and voted on the proposed budget. Councilor Chris Palmieri requested to increase the BOE budget higher than the BOF’s proposed 2.98 percent.

“We see in documentation that to pay for benefits and salaries alone they need a 3.07 percent increase,” said Palmieri, proposing the slight increase in the BOE budget in order to cover essential salaries and benefits by restoring $74,000.

Councilors Paul Champagne, Dawn Micelli, and John Barry joined Palmieri in voting ‘yes’ for the increase to cover wage and benefit expenses, but the proposal failed by one vote. The final BOE budget passed the Council vote, 6-3, with an increase of 2.98 percent from this year’s budget.

On May 14, the BOE voted to adopt and allocate the approved budget.

To balance this budget with the BOE’s original proposal, with $530,000 less than they expected, the BOE spent more than a half hour in discussion on the allocation vote.

Sherri DiNello, Director of Business and Finance for Southington Public Schools discussed financial need updates that would lower expenses.

Lower costs included a savings of approximately five percent on benefits, which results in a reduction of about $35,000. A lower workers’ compensation renewal than anticipated, saved an additional $6,000.

A reduction in textbook costs was recommended to save an additional $50,000 by waiting until a decision is made on the choice for a new math textbook.

These changes would trim the deficit by $91,000.

DiNello noted that kindergarten class sizes that were smaller than expected allowed them a reduction on kindergarten needs and recommended that the BOE hold on hiring a network manager until January.

These factors may account for a potential reduction in new personnel salaries for regular and special education that totaled $152, 408.

DiNello also recommended that the board cut $85,000 dollars in funding for the start of a new technology lease—the board has been adding this amount annually for the new line item, and the coming fiscal year was supposed to be the second-to-last payment.

Finally, the board agreed on a reduction of four FTEs.

BOE member Terri Lombardi asked DiNello if they had considered pushing any contracts or lowering supply needs. Lombardi also asked if reviewing those expenses could halt the FTE reductions.

Several board members discussed potential problems schools could face if faculty is reduced and class sizes grow over the summer months.

“If you didn’t have some level of discomfort today, I’d be concerned” DiNello said about the reductions. Both DiNello and BOE Chairman Brian Goralski encouraged the board to come to an agreement on the budget and address FTE reductions in the coming months.

The council agreed to revisit the issue of which education levels would lose FTEs, and did not designate which schools or classes would lose faculty.

Despite the challenges, this budget marked one of the closest request-to-funding matches in over a decade. A comparison of the budget recommended by the BOE and the budget approved by the BOF and Town Council represents only a .61 percent reduction from the original BOE request.

Since 2005, the BOE has seen differences as close as .27 percent (2012-13) and as large as the 3.24 percent gap in 2005-06.

The BOE will begin operating on their new budget with the start of the 2015-16 FY on July 1.

Photos by TAMMI NAUDUS

Students from South End Elementary School take the audience on a journey to the Kingdom of Far Far Away for a drama club production of “Shrek The Musical Jr.” The fifth graders performed last week. Samantha Sullivan (Fiona), Jack Barnum (Shrek), and Kersyn McBride (Donkey) starred in this musical event.

The Board of Education appointed Steven G. Madancy, John F. Kennedy Middle School Prinicpal, as the new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER

The Board of Education welcomed a new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction on May 14, appointing John F. Kennedy Middle School principal Steven G. Madancy.

Madancy has been the principal at JFK Middle School since July of 2012, following seven years as a principal in Milford, serving two years at Pumpkin Delight Elementary School and five years at Orange Avenue Elementary School.

Madancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Rhode Island College and a Master of Science in Science Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Prior to working as a principal, he taught Health and Physical Education in Wallingford Public Schools for eight years.

He is a member of several professional associations, including the New England League of Middle Schools, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Mandacy’s appointment follows the retirement of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Learning Karen L. Smith. While looking forward to learning the scope of his new position, Mandacy said he is “equally excited to continue working on the things that Karen had started to establish.”

The following are the honorees for the Southington Public Schools 2014-2015 Profiles in Professionalism who will be recognized at the Board of Education meeting to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at the Municipal Center Public Assembly Room at 200 North Main Street:

Robert Brown (Southington High School); Dennis Sikowski (Southington High School); Michael Lodovico (Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School); Kristine Barnes (John F. Kennedy Middle School); Judith Ellis (Derynoski Elementary School); Dana Singarella (Flanders Elementary School); Maureen Barmore (Hatton Elementary School); Marjorie Appleby (Kelley Elementary School); Sandra Chavez (Plantsville Elementary School); Gail Verderame (South End Elementary School); Diane Angelillo (Strong Elementary School); Kathryn Wakefield (Thalberg Elementary School); Charles Beliveau (Central Office); Gilbert VanLinter (Maintenance).

At a recent awards luncheon, hosted by the Springfield College Business Management Department, former Southington High School graduate Jordyn Moquin, now in her second year at Springfield College, was honored with an Academic Achievement Award for her continued academic success within the Business Management Department. From left, Springfield College Business Management Department Co-Chair Brenda Canning, Jordyn Moquin, and Springfield College Business Management Department Co-Chair Michael Musante.

DePaolo Middle School announced the students of the month for May. Front, from left, Justin Ierardi, Amal Al-Hidami, Kathryn Clynes, Anthony Matarazzo, Sydney Trask, and Max Peruta. Back, Assistant Principal Chris Palmieri, Erik Olson, Sera Altomari, Kelley Marshall, Morgan Duling, Derek Guida, Evan Johanns, and Principal Frank Pepe.

Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School recently announced the names of its May students of the month.

In sixth grade Kathryn Clynes, Anthony Matarazzo, and Sera Altomari were selected by their teams.

Kathryn is the daughter of Frank and Patrice Clynes and has consistently earned high honors. She assisted at DePaolo’s Taste of Culture and Light a Pumpkin events and is a part of the Free Runners to benefit the Mill Foundation. Kathryn is in the student council and ran on the school cross country team.

Anthony is the son of Lynn and Kevin Daley and has consistently earned high honors. He was on the school basketball team and is in the orientation club. Anthony plays football, basketball, and baseball for the town.

Sera is the daughter of Karen and Richard Altomari and earned the Presidential Award of Academic Excellence in fifth grade. She has volunteered at Calendar House and is in the orchestra. Outside of school Sera is involved in gymnastics.

In seventh grade Max Peruta, Erik Olson, and Morgan Duling were selected by their teams.

Max is the son of Donald and Colleen Peruta and is in the National Junior Honor Society. He is a peer advocate and assists the Mill Foundation. Max was on the school basketball team and is on the school baseball team.

Erik is the son of Jim and Lisa Olson and has consistently been an honor roll student. He is in chess club and plays intramural soccer at school. Erik also plays baseball.

Morgan is the daughter of Shaun and Marcia Duling and came in first place for the young author’s program last year. She volunteered at Calendar House and is a part of the school Leadership Program. Morgan also formed an anti-bullying club and is in the newspaper club.

In eighth grade Sydney Trask, Derek Guida, and Amal Al-Hidami were selected by their teams.

Sydney is the daughter of Kristen Bellemare and Kevin Trask and is an honor roll student. She has volunteered for the United Way and Relay for Life and is in the yearbook club. Sydney is a member of Miss Cindy’s Dance Team.

Derek is the son of Jon and Kristen Guida and was recognized at a Principal’s Breakfast. He has volunteered for STEPS and is in the drama club. Derek plays basketball and lacrosse for the town.

Amal is the daughter of Sana Alomari and Abdulghani Al-Hidami and enjoys reading in both English and Arabic. In her native country of Yemen, she volunteered collecting food and clothes to give to people during the holidays.

In Unified Arts Kelley Marshall, Justin Ierardi, and Evan Johanns were selected.

Kelley is the daughter of Lisa and Gregory Marshall and has consistently earned high honors. She is an animal helper and volunteered at Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the Apple Harvest Festival. Kelley was on the school cross country team and is a part of the Leadership Program.

Justin is the son of Richard and Sheri Ierardi and has consistently been an honor roll student. He is a member of his church’s youth group and is in the school drama club. Justin plays baseball and football for the town.

Evan is the son of Jill Johanns-Litke and is an honor roll student. He was on the school soccer team and takes part in the intramural program as well. Evan plays lacrosse for the town.

WILLIMANTIC—A number of Southington students were honored by various departments at Eastern Connecticut State University during year-end banquets.

Two locals were selected for induction into the Delta Omega chapter of Delta Mu Delta, the National Honor Society that recognizes outstanding students in business administration, accounting, and business information systems. Membership in Delta Mu Delta is an honor indicative of earnest, intelligent purpose and rewarding achievement, the goals of the honor society.

Karolina Chrzanowska (accounting) and Lauren Mahon (business administration) were selected for membership.

Chrzanowska (Class of 2015) was also among a list of several outstanding students to be presented awards by administrators, alumni, faculty, students, and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) in an event sponsored by ECSU’s Accounting Society, the student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, and Accounting Professor Moh’d RuJoub.

Chrzanowska was presented with the Founders of Accounting Award.

Two Southington students were honored by the ECSU biology department when they presented the annual awards for students who achieved excellence in academic excellence, research and as teaching assistants.

Elizabeth Del Buono (biology) received an award for Quality Performance as a Teaching Assistant Within the Biology Department.

Weronika Lewkowicz (biology) received an award for Academic Excellence.

“Honors and award programs provide a meaningful opportunity to publicly recognize and celebrate student achievements in scholarship, research and service,” Biology Professor and Chair Gloria J. Coluso said in a school press release. “They demonstrate that success is possible and motivate all of us to keep moving forward.”

In addition, Michael Cipollone (accounting) was inducted into ECSU’s Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is an international economics honor society. The organization’s primary goal is to foster and stimulate discourse regarding economics among university level students. Students must be involved in the economics program and have at least a 3.0 GPA in order to become a member.

Southington’s Brendan Carroll, left, is this year’s valedictorian at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol. Carroll and salutatorian Sydney Riddick, right, will deliver speeches at the school’s graduation ceremony on June 2.

By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER

Sydney Riddick and Brendan Carroll learned some of the greatest life lessons over the past four years at St. Paul Catholic High School.

For Sydney, the biggest lesson she ever learned throughout high school was “Keep trying” and “don’t give up.” For Brendan, the biggest lesson he learned at St. Paul was “Be who you are” and “Stand strong in the face of adversity.”

Out of their graduating senior class of 106 students, Brendan was named valedictorian and Sydney was named salutatorian. Graduation will take place Tuesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford where both Brendan and Sydney will deliver speeches.

“It feels like all our hard work has paid off and that was my goal from the beginning—work hard and aim high,” said Sydney.

“It’s a great honor,” added Brendan. “It’s comforting to know that all the hard work we put in over these past four years is being recognized.”

From the time she entered high school, Sydney became involved in a variety of student clubs and activities, such as the art, photography, ballet, student government, journalism, culture and language clubs, and yearbook. She also has served on the math team while being a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. In addition, she has received a number of awards over the years, including the Yale Book Award, Superintendant’s Summa Scholar Award, and a Scholar Athlete Award for tennis, among other recognitions.

Although ballet has been her favorite extracurricular activity, Sydney said she enjoyed trying a little bit of everything.

One piece of advice she has for other students following in her footsteps: “challenge yourself.”

“Recognize your strengths and recognize your weaknesses, and work to strengthen yourself as a person,” said Sydney.

Since his freshman year, Brendan has been involved in varsity sports, including football, basketball, baseball and outdoor track and field and has received a variety of athletic recognitions. During his junior and senior year, he served as captain for both the varsity football and basketball teams. Besides being a member of both the Spanish and National Honor Society, Brendan has taken on a number of leadership experiences. Not only has Brendan been a Blue Key Club student ambassador, but he has also served as class vice president and captain of the Academic Quiz Bowl.

For Brendan, student government served as his favorite extracurricular activity. Student government has put on a variety of activities for the school and community, such as coordinating the BARC prom held at St. Paul. Brendan said he enjoyed taking part in the planning of these events.

A piece of advice for students following in his footsteps: “push yourself to the limit.”

“You’re capable of a lot more than you think,” said Brendan. “If you…put yourself out there, you’ll find that there’s people there to help you and guide you.”

After high school, Brendan plans to attend Providence College, where he plans to study either mathematics or quantitative economics paired with Spanish as a double major. Long-term he hopes to pursue a career in sports analytics.

Looking back over the past four years, Brendan said his favorite memories occurred when he played sports, including football, basketball, and track.

No matter what sport he was playing, Brendan said he enjoyed bonding with his teammates and forming relationships with his coaches.

“That was the most rewarding experience I had at St. Paul,” said Brendan, adding how his parents have served as an inspiration for him.

After high school, Sydney will attend Wesleyan University, where she plans to major in cognitive neuropsychology while staying involved in different clubs. Exhibiting a passion for learning how people comprehend and learn, Sydney said she hopes to enter the medical field in the future.

For Sydney, her favorite memories at St. Paul took place while tutoring different subject areas, including math, Spanish and religion, which she said allowed her to connect with others on a personal level.

“Helping them to achieve their goal has been rewarding for me,” said Sydney, adding how her teachers have inspired her throughout high school.

Lincoln College of New England (LCNE) in Southington celebrated its 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 15, graduating 205 students, including the school’s first class of Registered Nurse (RN) and bachelor’s of nursing (BSN) graduates, above. Newly appointed LCNE President Denise Lewicki said that she is very proud of all of this year’s graduates. Nursing graduates and faculty members, from left, LaShonie Douglas, Barbara Forschino, Christie Ganavage, Lois Conklin, Christine Campbell (Salutatorian), Dr. Cherry Karl (Department Chair), Patricia Miglowiec, Stefanie Audia, Stasha Lee and Nicola Austin. Missing from the picture is Celina Hampton and Meghan Lee.

Members of the Southington High School drama department (from left) Marissa Mayo, Emily Sargent, Rachel Mouris, Jessica Dos Santos and Madison Yurgatis received awards at the 12th annual Halo Awards, hosted by the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury. After receiving ten nominations, the SHS department won Halos in three categories – Best Choreographer, Best Performance by an Actress in a Comic Role in a Play and Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical.

By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER

“It felt like the Oscars for high school,” said Southington High School senior Marissa Mayo of last Tuesday evening, when the Southington High School theater department was honored at the 12th annual Halo Awards.

The awards, presented by Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury, invited Southington to attend what was described as a red-carpet gala where students dressed in their best formalwear for an evening of celebration and performance.

The two-night event at the Palace Theater in Waterbury invited students from 55 schools across the state to be recognized for excellence in high school theater, with dozens of award categories in performance, production, direction, and technical design.

In their second year participating in the awards, Southington drama students earned an impressive 10 nominations, including best contemporary musical, best chorus in a musical, and best ensemble in a musical. Led by club advisor and director Eric Lindblom, the SHS theater department hosts two to three performances each year—a fall drama, a spring musical, and the occasional cabaret.

Southington joined nearly 30 schools honored at the event on Tuesday evening, hosted by actor and motivational speaker Michelle Gotay, where they performed “Privelege to Pee” from their spring musical, Urinetown.

Of their many nominations, the high school took home awards in three categories, recognizing five students for their hard work and talent.

Mayo joined fellow senior Jessica Dos Santos and sophomore Madison Yurgatis in accepting the award for Best Choreographer, all in their first season of theater at SHS.

The three students joined the drama club this spring, when the department was seeking choreographers for Urinetown.

Thanks to their background in community dance, the transition to musical theater was easy for the choreographers. Mayo and Dos Santos used over a decade of experience from Ms. Cindy’s studio in Southington when making their high school theater debut, while Yurgatis found the drama department to be a perfect fit after 14 years with the New England Dance and Gymnastics Center.

“They were able to take choreography that was complex and teach it in such a way that our entire cast looked fantastic,” said Alyssa Bunel, assistant director and vocal director of the performances, and assistant advisor for the club.

Londblom agreed, crediting the dancers with designing choreography that worked well in the high-energy show.

Yurgatis, the youngest student to receive a Halo this year, said that the recognition has encouraged her to pursue theater in the future. She hopes to continue choreographing musical theater dances for the department over the next two years.

Receiving awards for their on-stage performances were senior Rachel Mouris and junior Emily Sargent.

Mouris has been a member of the drama department for four years, participating in at least six shows and serving as the club’s treasurer for two years.

“I can honestly say we owe much of our success this year to Rachel’s involvement,” said Lindblom. “She has an infectious positivity that always brightens up everyone’s day.”

Mouris won her Halo for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comic Role in a Play for her role as Delilah in Father of the Bride. Mouris said she was honored to win in the comedy category. “It’s really fun to make people laugh,” she said, “and that’s my favorite thing to do on stage.”

Junior Emily Sargent has been involved in community theater since she was in elementary school, and has been active in the SHS drama department for two years. She was nominated for a Halo last year for her performance as Nehebka in the musical Aida, but took home her first Halo this year, winning the category of Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical for her role as Pennywise in Urinetown.

Lindblom congratulated Sargent for her ability to “understand the complicated nature of her character,” and was thrilled to see his student recognized for her acting and vocal talent.

In what he recently announced as his last season with the drama club, Lindblom said he is extremely grateful to his students for making his eighth and final year with the club a successful one.

Both he and Bunel, his assistant director for both of this year’s nominated shows, hope the Halo Awards will encourage students to pursue their talents and continue in theater.

“Programs like the Halo Awards give us a chance to gauge ourselves against similar programs to see just how strong our program is,” said Lindblom, saying that he was happy to perform for all the nominated schools and receive support from other high school departments.

Yurgatis said the state-wide support was the best part of the evening, describing the non-competitive environment at the awards, where every nominated department cheered loudly for other schools’ performances and recognitions.

Bunel said she believes the Halo Awards will help the students improve every year with positive encouragement and incentive, and will “allow other people in other communities to see how talented Southington truly is.”

By TAYLOR HARTZ
STAFF WRITER

The Southington Board of Education appointed three new principals last week, welcoming the new administrators to Southington High School and Strong and Hatton elementary schools.

During a special meeting on May 21, the board recognized Brian Stranieri as the new principal of Southington High School. Stranieri has been serving as interim principal at the high school since Martin Semmel’s departure from the district in March.

When Stranieri spoke at last week’s Board of Education meeting and said he is excited to start working as the high school’s principal, superintendent Connellan laughed and assured the overflowing audience that the new principal has already been working very hard in the position.

Amidst his long-term career in the Southington school system, Stranieri earned four degrees in education from Central Connecticut State University. In 1999, the principal earned a six-year degree in educational leadership, following his master’s plus-30 degree in 1996, his master’s degree in technology education in 1982, and his bachelor’s degree in technology education in 1981.

He began his career with an associate’s degree in architecture and building construction from Dean College in Franklin, Mass., in 1978.

Before becoming the high school’s interim principal, Stranieri served as an assistant principal at Southington High School for 13 years, where he supervised grade 12 students and the Early Intervention Program (EIP) team. He was involved with supervision of the agricultural sciences, art, family and consumer sciences, music, physical education and health, and technical education departments. He also served as an administrative liaison for the building maintenance staff.

The board also introduced two new elementary school principals to the district, each receiving a salary of $136, 000.

Strong Elementary School welcomes new principal Melissa Barbuto. Barbuto has been working as the principal of Lawrence Elementary School in Middletown since December 2012, following two years as the assistant principal of Hamden High School. In 2010 she served as an adjunct professor at the Saint Joseph College Graduate School of Education, following more than eight years as a kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade teacher at Dunbar Hill Elementary School in Hamden.

Barbuto received four degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, including a sixth year certificate in educational leadership in 2010, a master’s degree in elementary education in 2007, and bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and psychology in 2002.

Throughout her career she has chaired district data subcommittees and provided certificate training to district teachers and administrators focusing on data teams and data driven decision-making programs.

“I look forward to building relationships and working with each of you” said Barbuto to the crowd of parents, teachers and school staff members at the board meeting on May 28.

Robert W. Garry was introduced as the new principal of Hatton Elementary School. Garry comes to Southington from South Side School in Bristol where he has been the principal since 2013, following seven years as the principal of Bristol’s North East Middle School.

“I think this means we are officially moved in,” said Garry of becoming a Southington principal two years after moving his family to Southington from Bristol.

Prior to working as a principal in Bristol, Garry worked for two years as the assistant principal of Lake Garda Elementary School in Burlington. He received his sixth year certificate in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut in 2005, a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hartford in 2002, and a bachelor’s degree in politics and government in 1991.

Garry began his career in 1993 as an elementary school teacher for second, third, and fifth grade classes, along with gifted and talented programs for public schools in Bristol and Torrington. During his 22 years in education and administration, he has served his districts in many ways, including his work with the Bristol Public School report card revision committee and served as the district coordinator for the ESPN Play Your Way Program.

“On behalf of the board we can’t tell you how excited we are to have you aboard,” BOE Chairman Brian Goralski said to the new principals.

Robert Garry, principal of Hatton Elementary School.

Brian Stranieri, principal of Southington High School.

Melissa Barbuto, principal of Strong Elementary School.