May 31, 2008

Students, parents warm-up to firefighters' life-saving presentation

On Feb. 28 at Hallen School, with the help of firefighter Robert Grimes and Capt. Luis Rivera of the Bridgeport Fire Department, volunteers from Fire Engine Co No. 15 shared with parents and students valuable potentially life-saving information on fire safety and passed out free smoke detector information.
The event took place in conjunction with the school’s RIF (Reading is Fundamental) distribution, whereby every child in the school is given a free book of his/her choosing to keep. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to interact with the firefighters in a positive setting, as all too often their only experience with them is under much different circumstances.
Parents who attended "Warm Up With A Good Book" were given the opportunity to participate in a raffle where they could win a blanket to cuddle with their child(ren) as they read together!
Fightfighters who participated included Raymond Lopez, Steve Kapitancek, Mark Firpi and Randy Pittman.

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Student sets sights high

Bridgeport Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood and seventh-grader Donald Scott.

Every month, in a feature called Heroes Honoring Heroes, People’s United Bank and a local police department honor a police officer and a student for their excellent school performance or for the good works they do. The student winner receives a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
This month’s honoree is Bridgeport Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood, who has chosen to honor student Donald Scott, a seventh-grader at Caesar Battalia School.
Norwood joined the Bridgeport Police Department as chief in 2006. Among Norwood’s priorities are quality-of-life issues and young people. “If youngsters can participate in positive group activities after school, chances are they’ll be able to avoid gang life that can only lead them down the wrong path,” he said.
And that’s why he has introduced a program that helps both body and mind so that young people can succeed in school and in their personal lives. The program encourages fitness and personal hygiene, as well as perseverance, goal-setting and academic achievement.
Entrance to the program was highly selective. Keeping the class small — about 40 — meant the size would be manageable, and the impact per student greater.
Scott applied for the program and was selected. “Before I joined this program I was a knucklehead! I used to hang out with the wrong crowd. I wanted to get into a better environment, so when I heard about this at my school, I said, ‘I’m going to go for it!’ ” he said.
Three months into the program, both Scott and his teachers report that he is doing much better in school.
Participating in the class chant, “I’m a winner, not a quitter,” Scott notes that Master Jong Hun Lee, who runs the program, “is a cool guy. He takes things slow and helps us understand.”
When he finishes school, Scott has set his sights high. He wants to be either a professional gymnast or a professional rapper.
To support the program, call Officer Nick Ortiz at 576-8278 or Norwood at 581-5111.

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Friendly feline

Bet you've never met a cat with a middle initial!
Lilly K is an outgoing and friendly cat who would be an easy fit into just about any home. She can be dominant around other cats, so a home where she is the only cat would be fine with her. She came to PAWS after her owner was evicted from their home. She is a young adult, already spayed, current on her vaccines and has tested negative for Fiv and Felv.
Interested? Please call PAWS at 750-9572 or visit www.pawsct.org to see other great dogs and cats looking for homes!

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Glorious celebration

The second-grade Brownies at Jennings Elementary School in Fairfield celebrated the 96th year of Girl Scouting by raising the flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance on March 10.

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Shelton students on to Girls' State

Shelton High School juniors Margaret Ercolani, Kathleen Messemer, Cassandra Gucwa, Emily Bodyk, Courtney Winger, Kate Ebdon, Erica Magliocco and Madeline Arena have been chosen as delegates by Unit 16, American Legion Auxiliary, to attend Laurel Girls’ State from June 28 to July 3 at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Laurel Girls State is a program in Americanism. Delegates are taught the principles of democracy in a representative form of government. They discuss politics and participate in campaigning, bill writing, party platforms and debate in the House and Senate. Local and state officials are guest speakers.
On the final day of the program, two senators are elected to represent the state at Girls’ Nation in Washington, D.C., for a weeklong program to learn the political process at the national level. These delegates are treated to an address by the president.

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Irish scholars

The Scholarship Committee of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day celebration recently awarded its annual scholarships to four local students. From left are Eileen Cottell, of Monroe, St. Joseph High School, first runner-up, $750; Kelly Gavin, of Shelton, St. Joseph High School, 2008 Miss Shamrock, $1,500; Robert Curwen, of Bridgeport, 2008 Grand Marshall; Ciaran O’Donnell, of Bridgeport, Notre Dame Catholic High School of Fairfield, 2008 Mr. Shamrock, $1,500; and Brendan McNamara, of Fairfield, Fairfield College Preparatory School, first runner-up, $750.

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Birthday bash for backpacks

Six-year-old Emily Struzik and her mother, Lydia, seated, recently met with case worker Carla Weston and Capt. James Haun of the Salvation Army to donate money Emily raised at her birthday party to the Weekend Backpack Program.

Sixty Bridgeport children will receive food for two weekends, thanks to the generous spirit of a 6-year-old Trumbull girl.
When Emily Struzik turned 6 in January, she asked her friends and family to bring money to donate, rather than gifts, to her party.
“I had lots of toys already and wanted to raise money to help others,” Emily said.
She chose the Salvation Army because she had seen a bell-ringer with one of the organization’s signature red kettles at Christmas. When she asked her mother, Lydia, why he was ringing the bell, Lydia explained that the Salvation Army collected money to help people in need.
“Giving back to the community is something I think is an important lesson to pass on to my children,” said Lydia.
Shortly after her party, Emily and Lydia visited the Salvation Army office in Bridgeport and met with caseworker Carla Weston. She described several of the Army’s programs and who they helped and how. Emily decided to make her donation to the Weekend Backpack Feeding Program.
For many Bridgeport children, Weston explained, the only real meals they receive are while they are at school. On weekends, they have little or nothing to eat. The Weekend Backpack Program provides seven meals, along with personal hygiene items, for each weekend for children chosen from four Bridgeport schools.
“The food is distributed in backpacks, so the participating children won’t stand out from their peers as they go home for the weekend,” Weston said.
For more information about the program, call 334-0995.

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Milford explosion

Front row, from left, are Katie Miller, Missy Nelson, Marissa Dowling, Jackie Kochiss and Kim Legen. Back row: Head coach Kathy Kochiss, Alexis Luzietti, Bianca Robertson, Emily Bonzagni, Samantha Murphy, Phobe French, Cassie Gildea and assistant coach Vinny Luzietti: Missing from the photo are assistant coach Wayne Robertson and team parent Dan French.

The Milford Explosion Girls Basketball Team just completed a wonderfully successfull 2007-08 season. Led by veteran coach Kathy Kochiss, they were champions in the Branford Regional Tournament, both the St Mark and St. James Open Invitational Touraments and undefeated in the Massachusetts Open in Sturbridge. The Explosion finished their season with a 54-8 record.

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May 24, 2008

On a mission to help dreams come true

Quinnipiac University Cheer & Dance Challenge participants from around the state have raised more than $17,000 to make wishes come true for Connecticut children with life-threatening medical conditions. The March 1 event featured cheerleaders and dancers comprising more than 80 teams from middle schools, high schools, colleges and all-star squads.
Prior to the event, team members helped spread the “wish mission” by selling Make-A-Wish stars throughout their communities. During the all-day competition, these stars were displayed on a Wish Wall and donations were collected throughout the stands to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. The culmination of these efforts was $17,000 and counting, as teams are still sending in the proceeds from their star sales.
The highest fundraiser of the day was the cheerleading squad from North Branford High School, followed by the Quinnipiac University cheerleading and dance teams and Shelton Intermediate School cheerleading squad.
The Quinnipiac cheerleaders performed a cheer they created in honor of the Make-A-Wish mission: “HOPE, STRENGTH and JOY!”
Capt. Dennis Baker, the father of a “Make-A-Wish kid,” shared his personal story about his family’s magical wish journey. His daughter’s wish to meet the cast of the hit TV show “Roswell” was granted in 2001 when she was 11; she is now a 19-year-old college student. Baker was also an integral part of the planning committee for the event.
“It was an incredible, exciting event for Make-A-Wish,” said
Kim Smith, director of external events for Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“We are so grateful to everyone who took part in this special day.”

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Youth of the year

Marianna Horn, 18, has been selected as Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bridgeport. She is among hundreds of local Youth of the Year winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to help those in her community.
The award is the highest honor club members can receive.
Horn, a junior at Warren Harding High School, is a member of the Jerome Orcutt Club, president of the Keystone club, tutors children in the homework help program and collects clothes for needy families. This spring she will compete against other state club members for the Connecticut title and a $1,000 Reader’s Digest scholarship. If she wins at the state level, she will compete for the Northeast Region award and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September to compete for the National Youth of the Year award and a $15,000 scholarship.

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Women of Mercy

Four area students were recently named Lauralton Hall 2007-08 Women of Mercy, an award that honors the work and memory of Catherine McAuley, founder of Lauralton’s sponsoring organization, the Sisters of Mercy. Honorees were nominated by and voted on by fellow students and faculty. They include, seated, senior Laura Discenza of Shelton; standing, from left, sophomore Amanda Rodrigues of Monroe; junior Amie Fracker of Trumbull; and freshman Morgan Ferguson of Orange.

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Shooting stars

The Keystone Club from Fairfield’s Wakeman Boys and Girls Club hosted a Foul Shooting Contest recently. Thirty club members in sixth through eighth grades participated in the event, trying for glory as Wakeman’s Foul Shooting champion. Tyler Lehren, 13, came in first place; Anthony DiLeo, 12, was second; and Chris Alvarado, 12, was third.

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It's a blessing

Jamie Rose, left, owner of The Grille & Bar Restaurant at Oronoque in Stratford, prays with Mike Bisciglia, vice president of the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, and Sister Theresa Tremblay, director of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood, at a recent planning meeting of the St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound Walk/Run for Cancer and Diabetes. The restaurant both hosted and funded the meeting. Sister Theresa, one of the Walk’s team captains, blessed the restaurant and the fundraising event.

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Making the difference

New members of Bridgeport Hospital’s Academy of Making the Difference “100-Plus” club, from left, Ethel Mae Walton, Daniela Tirea, Marilyn Agosto-Murphy, Richard Dreyer and Mary Ann Krajcik are serenaded by a co-worker and accomplished vocalist Michael Jovovich. A sixth award winner, Bridget Tartaro, was absent for the photo.

Dr. Rockman Ferrigno of the Emergency Department is Bridgeport Hospital’s latest Academy of Making the Difference Physician of the Year.

Six employees received highest-level “Golden Globe” Awards for achieving at least 100 lifetime mentions. They are Marilyn Agosto-Murphy of Stratford; Richard Dreyer of Fairfield; Mary Ann Krajcik of Bridgeport; Bridget Tartaro of Naugatuck; Daniela Tirea of Orange; and Ethel Mae Walton of Bridgeport.
Eleven employees received “Oscars” for at least 50 mentions, and 30 employees earned “Emmys” for achieving at least 25 mentions.
Dr. Rockman Ferrigno, of Newtown, who works in the Emergency Department, was named Making the Difference Physician of the Year for achieving the best patient satisfaction scores and the most mentions among members of the medical staff.
Departmental awards went to the Dr. Andrew J. & Henrietta Panettieri Burn Center, the Antenatal Testing Unit, Information Services and the P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center.

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Bee benefit brings big buzz to town

The 14th annual Great Shehan Spelling Bee took place during February at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn to benefit the center’s after-school and Saturday programs.
A total of 17 company teams competed in this year’s event, correctly spelling words like “philippic,” “insouciance,” and “molybdenum.” After an exciting seven rounds, Dr. Cynthia Bartolone’s office took home the first-place prize for the second year in a row. Tauck World Discovery finished in second place and Cohen & Wolf placed third.
A special thank you goes to sponsors of the bee, People’s United Bank and IKON Office Solutions, and to all of the participating companies

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Pi Party

Students at Hillcrest Middle School in Trumbull celebrated Pi Day March 14. Some students decorated
T-shirts to celebrate the day. All math classes celebrated the day with Pi Day activities, including competitions to memorize the most digits of pi, decorating the eighth-grade wing with the digits of pi on paper plates, and some students even wrote songs related to math and pi. From left are Susannah Barratt, grade 7 math teacher, and students Melissa Rubin, Jessica Hayduk, Bonnie Deal, Stephanie Smerling and Val Lumani.

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Movin' on up

Boy Scout Troop 1 of Milford conducted a Court of Honor recently. During the ceremony, the following Scouts were accepted into Milford’s oldest Boy Scout Troop: Kofi Adjepong, James Geib, Diego Paige and Stephen Povroznk. Aiden Burton and Ken Distasio achieved the rank of Tenderfoot, while the following Scouts received the rank of Second Class: Mark Bluemer, Ken Distasio, Lucas Guimaraes, Pierce Holveck, Chris Mercaldo, Bryan Niebanck, Josh Paton and Jason Savisky. Matt Oullette was awarded the rank of Star. Adult leaders recognized for their years of service included Jim Donegan, 33 years; Mike Healy, 32 years; Mark Krom, 32 years; Dan Ogrisek, 33 years; Dan Pramuka, 13 years; and Bruce Satterlee, 33 years.

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Positive reinforcement

Margaret Berger, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, New York Tri-State Area, presented Sterling House Community Center with a grant of $18,607 to support Positive Youth Development Services. On her right is Sterling House Executive Director Lou Perno and on the left is the Stratford McDonald’s director of operations, Russ Negre.

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Child support

Caption: Above, top row, from left, are Jean Fredricks, director of the Caroline House preschool; Patsy Devine, vice president of the Near & Far Aid Association); and Mary Ellen Gavin, Caroline House development director.

The Caroline House in Bridgeport has received a $30,000 grant from the Near and Far Aid Association for its preschool program.
S. Ann Moles, executive director, said the award will enable Caroline House to continue with the development of mental, physical and social skills of the children through age-appropriate activities, as well as purchase additional materials needed for the expansion of the program.
Caroline House is a multicultural, nondenominational educational center for women and their preschool children that teaches English as a second language and provides a preschool setting for their children in the same facility.

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5 receive Lauralton scholarships

As recipient of Lauralton Hall’s new Mother Mary Augustine Claven Scholarship, Rebecca Mancini of Shelton has been awarded a four-year academic scholarship to the all-girls college preparatory school. Rebecca said she plans to use the scholarship, which is named after Lauralton’s founder, to help achieve her dream of being accepted to an Ivy League college. The daughter of Michael and Mary Ann Mancini, Rebecca is an eighth-grader at Shelton Intermediate School and a member of St. Lawrence Church.
Four other incoming freshmen were named winners of Lauralton’s new Mother Mary Joseph Garvey Scholarship and awarded four-year academic scholarships.
Named after the school’s first principal, who served from 1905 to 1921, the awards have been presented to the following students:
Erin Montanez of Fairfield, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Montanez. Erin is an eighth-grader at Roger Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Caitlin Riccitelli of East Haven, the daughter of Carmine and Pat Riccitelli. Caitlin is an eighth-grader at St. Vincent de Paul School and a member of St. Clare Church.
Rachel Roberts of Fairfield, the daughter of Michael and Fran Roberts. Rachel is an eighth-grader at Tomlinson Middle School.
Mary Kate Vicenzi of Westport, the daughter of Rich and Ellen Vicenzi. Mary Kate is an eighth-grader at All Saints School in Norwalk and a member of St. Jerome Church.
Each of the scholarship winners was required to write an essay and meet competitive academic criteria.

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Kids' program has tasty, healthy foods on the menu

Seana Nieves, Alexa Mollica, Tasia Nieves and Diamond Crawford proudly stand with their snacks.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Club members recently made more than 200 healthy snacks for the club members to enjoy. The “Snack Attack” program, in conjunction with the Eat Smart/Drink Smart program, is designed to help enlighten kids to healthier eating alternatives. The kids learn the basics of the food groups and how to create a snack or meal that is not only healthier, but also tastes great.

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You go, guard girls!

On March 1, the Bunnell High School Winterguard took first place in the Scholastic A division at the Shelton High School Sights and Sounds Winterguard Competition, competing against eight other Connecticut and New York groups. They performed to “Hairspray’s” “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”
Above, from left, are Michaela Miller, Sydnee Foster, Sarah Poniros, Zeynep Yilmaz, Sydney Kessing, Julie Hefferon, Hannah Williams, Alison Agvent, Nicky DeRosa, Mia Vargas, Amanda Bolbotowski, Haleigh Pallock, Suzie Kirschner, Emily Stebbins, EmmaLee Eng, Heather Smith and Meghan Jossick.
The girls’ hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. Way to go!

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Off to see the wizard

Students in the Orange Avenue School Drama Club recently performed "The Wizard of Oz" at Joseph A. Foran High School. A total of 140 students participated, as did the principal, Steve Madancy, who played the Mayor of Munchkinland. Patrick Leary, Brianna Dudding, CJ Conner and Anthony Raccio, above, were the leads in the production.

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Interfaith benefit luncheon a big success

Luncheon volunteers, front row, from left, are Eileen Adams; Helene Rosenthal, luncheon coordinator; keynote speaker Lucette Lagnado; Judy Cohen; Helen Unger; Ruth Prager; Judith Mayer and Bernice Epstein. Back row,: Rabbi Daniel Satlow; Sara Kershenbaum; Ann Treidel; Sue Cazary; Barbara Leibowitz; Amy Gershberg, co-president of the Beth El Sisterhood; and Sue Angel.

Recently, the sisterhood of Congregation Beth El in Fairfield hosted its 33rd annual Interfaith Sukkoth luncheon to benefit Operation Hope, a shelter in Fairfield, and the Thomas Merton House, a walk-in feeding center in Bridgeport.
Keynote speaker was Lucette Lagnado, investigative reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and author of the book “The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: My Family’s Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World.” In attendance were about 250 people, including representatives from several area churches and synagogues, their clergy and members, civic leaders, faculty from area universities, volunteers from various organizations and the general public.
Volunteers included Ann Treidel, luncheon coordinator Helene Rosenthal, Helen Unger, Judith Mayer, Sue Cazary, Eileen Adams, Bernice Epstein, Ruth Prager, Judith Cohen, Sue Angel and Fran Bongarten. They were ably assisted in serving by students from Fairfield Ludlowe and Fairfield Warde high schools.

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Monroe high school students, younger peers engage in annual program

Kelsey Kovachik and a Monroe Elementary School first-grader.

Emily Hron Weigle, Matt Guariglia, and Amelia Kreski act out “Amelia Bedelia” for the first- grade class.

Members of Masuk High School’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently participated in the 5th annual Peer Reading and Writing program. On this day, first-grade students at Monroe Elementary School “show off” their newly acquired reading skills to the high school FBLA members. This event not only impresses upon the students the importance of reading, but also gives the younger students an opportunity to have one-on-one attention. Every year the high school students are amazed at how well the first graders read!
This year the students in both first and second grade were treated to a special delight, the enactment of the story “Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping.” Members of Masuk’s Drama Department (Matt Guariglia, Emily Hron-Weigle, Amelia Kreski, and Michael Ulreich) performed the well-known children’s story. It was easy to see the children were thrilled by the performance.
Members planned to return to the school on May 7 to read with the students once again. The following members were in attendance: Renee Bachman, Lisa Bonina, Alex Derenzis, Megan DeVita, Bryan Dias, TJ Donovan, Kelsey Kovachik, Lindsay Kruk, Erica Martion, Karissa Reyes, Micheala Sandor, Josh Santiana, Michelle Spadaro, Andrew Snead, Max Steinbrick, Briana Trudell, Spencer Wesley and co-adviser Bonnie Waring.

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They are the champions

Above, back row, are team members and coaches of the Easton Community Center seventh-grade basketball team: Neil Johnson, assistant coach; Jack Abrams, assistant coach; Conn Curry; Charlie Abrams; Greg Gentile; Danny Johnson; Phil Moriber; Alex Lockwood; Larry Ciambriello, coach. Front row: Raja Basak-Smith, Dante Spinelli, Andrew Bindelglass, Finn Cohane and Stephen Dreznick.

The Easton Community Center seventh-grade boys’ basketball are the Fairfield County Basketball League tournament champions. They won the division finals by beating Redding Community Center 43 to 33 on March 16, at Middlesex Middle School in Darien.
The championship game MVP was Conn Curry, with 21 points and eight rebounds.
The Easton team earned their way to the finals by defeating the Fairfield PAL 76ers (40-33) and the Danbury PAL Rams (54-33) in preliminary tournament rounds. The season's top scorer was Curry, who averaged more than 7 points per game.
The lead rebounder was Danny Johnson, who averaged 10 rebounds per game.

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May 10, 2008

Together time

Above are Band Together founder Rob Fried, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Jerry Vigorito, co-founder, and state Sen. John McKinney

Band Together, including its founders, Rob Fried and Jerry Vigorito, and all its members and supporters were recently honored at the state Capitol by Gov. M. Jodi Rell with an official statement. It reads: “ This recognition celebrates your many contributions to the State of Connecticut and your devotion to the lives of others. It is an honor to commend your efforts in taking what you love, playing music for others, and using it to benefit families as well as bringing the community together to help those in need.”
The group also received an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly for its “ tremendous charitable efforts and commitment to public service,” as introduced by state Sen. John McKinney.
Band Together is a community of local musicians, as well as volunteers and sponsors committed to “Helping Connecticut Families One at a Time” through a series of fun musical events.

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4-legged friends not forgotten

Fairfield’s Sherman Elementary School’s fourth-grade Cub Scouts recently conducted a pet food drive, and made toys for dogs and cats. The items were donated to the Fairfield Animal Shelter.

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Dream exhibit

The first week of March was a week of wonder and learning at Peck Place school in Orange.
The excitement was due to an exhibit of paintings by Diego Rivera titled “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park.” The reproduction on silk screens of the famous murals was the great attraction.
Rivera was a great muralist of the 20th century. Fresco, the painting technique he used, was the same as that used by some of the great painters of the Italian Renaissance, such as Michelangelo and Raphael.
Before the arrival of the exhibit, students from third to sixth grade had become familiar with the works of the Mexican artist by reading biographies and art books, and also by seeing various posters and a power point presentation provided by Spanish teacher Rosa Maria Franzese.
In addition, thanks to the Orange Arts & Culture Council, students had the opportunity to see life-size reproductions of some of Rivera’s mural masterpieces.

Parents and the public at large were invited to attend. Each grade and classroom had a student who served as “guide” to welcome visitors and talk about the paintings on display.
Students of all grades learn to work at authentic Latin American arts and crafts, crafts from Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile and more. In fact, throughout the year, visitors and parents can admire the children’s crafts that are displayed on the walls and in art cases.

The Rivera exhibit was a great success. The children learned about and admired some fantastic works of art!

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Thinking warmly of others

In the spirit of giving, children at Susanna Wesley School in Shelton recently created a “Giving Tree.” The branches were decorated with new hats, gloves, scarves and mittens. After the branches were full, the items were delivered to the Shelton Safe House, a facility that provides temporary housing for children removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

The preschoolers also created holiday cards and sent them to U.S. soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

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These kids know a Thing or 2

Brothers Nicholas and Joseph Mammano of Derby dress as Thing 1 and Thing 2. On Feb. 29, Bradley School celebrated Read Across America Day and students were encouraged to dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

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Exemplary student

Elizabeth Morse of Shelton, a junior at the College of the Holy Cross, has received a Goldwater Scholarship; she is one of approximately 300 nationally to receive the award from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Morse, a Shelton native, is a biology major with a biochemistry concentration and is enrolled in the college’s Honors Program. She is the program director of the Student Programs for Urban Development English as a Second Language tutoring program, co-chair of the Science Ambassadors, a student leader in the Hour of Power Interdenominational Prayer Group and is a flautist in the Contemporary Music Ensemble. During spring break she took part in one of the college’s Immersion Programs in Lafayette, La., where she helped with relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

Recently, she was accepted into Alpha Sigma Nu, which honors exceptional students of Jesuit institutions who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service. In May, she will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and the most prestigious national academic honor society in America.
This summer Morse will be conducting research regarding RNA interference in the lab of Craig Mello, winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She hopes to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in biochemistry.

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Creativity on display

Edwina Casey, left, of Creative Connections and Sandy Bria, GE Corporate Financial Services community relations program manager, stand in front of 15 pieces of artwork mounted in observance of Black History Month in the lobby of the GE Corporate Financial Services Building 201 in Norwalk. The artwork represents the creativity of students in grades three through eight, assembled as part of an exchange called ArtLink developed by Creative Connections to promote understanding between young people in Fairfield County and the U.S. and their counterparts in countries around the world.
The exhibit features water colors by students in Stamford, Bridgeport, Westport and Colts Neck, N.J., and youngsters in South Africa, Gambia, Uganda, Colombia and Nigeria.

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Beanies for the babies

On Feb. 7, the boys and girls of Saugatuck Nursery School’s 4's program donated more than 60 new Beanie Babies and stuffed animals to Bridgeport Hospital's Newborn Intensive Care and Pediatric Units. Pictured with their donation baskets are, back row, from left, Adyan Malik, Elizabeth Casey, Sophia Lauterbach, Chase Fenton, Arthur Belile and Shannon Tomas. Middle row: Charlotte Moncho, Patricia O'Keefe, John O'Keefe, Madelaine Ambrose and Bobby Turner. Front row: Priya Nandagopal and Vivien Lynch.

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After the show

Stratford Mayor James R. Miron takes the stage to meet and congratulate the cast following Square One Theatre’s opening night performance of “Rabbit Hole,” the 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning new play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Pictured with Miron, right, are: Stratford actors, seated from left, Candice Sisbarro, Cal Robertson and Lillian Garcia, and, standing, J. Kevin Smith of Norwalk and Alice McMahon of Ridgefield. The production was directed by Tom Holehan.

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Math whizzes

Standing, from left, are Malathi Muralidharan, seventh-grade math teacher; Anna Kim, Annie Lane, Matt Klein, Ryan Bowers, Anurag Chinepalli and Roger Lo. Kneeling, from left, are Nate Matschke and Andrew Vojt.

Congratulations to Hillcrest Middle School’s Math Counts team and their coach, Malathi Muralidharan. The team placed fourth in the Chapter competition at Fairfield University Feb. 2. The team will now go on to compete in the state competition in March at the University of Hartford.

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Swim event succeeds famously

From left, Charles V. Firlotte, president, Aquarion Co.; Dr. Frank Scifo, family physician in Trumbull and co-chair of St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound; Tom D’Addario, president, Mario D’Addario-Cadillac, Nissan, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Inc., Shelton; and Tom Gillon, president, William B. Meyer Inc., Stratford, at the SWIM’s 12th Annual Celebrity Breakfast on Feb. 7 at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound raised more than $100,000 at its 12th Annual Celebrity Breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport Feb. 7. The event was sponsored by People’s United Community Foundation. More than 500 people attended the event to see Sparky Lyle, former relief pitcher with the New York Yankees, and to raise money for the SWIM.
Local celebrities and executives sponsored tables at the event and waited on friends and colleagues. In return, the guests tipped their “celebrity waiters” and the gratuities were also donated to the SWIM.
Lyle pulled the winning ticket for the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S, which was won by John Cribbins, information systems analyst at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. For the fifth year, the car was donated by Mario D’Addario – Cadillac, Nissan, Buick, Pontiac, GMC and William B. Meyer Inc.
The event was co-chaired by John DiMarco of Luigi’s of Bridgeport and John Matthews, teacher at Trumbull High School. Mark Fries, senior vice president at Beardsley, Brown and Bassett of Bridgeport, emceed the event.

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Monkey business

From left are Jonny Clark, John Landry Sr. and Johnny Landry Jr. with some of the 40 monkeys Jonny collected from his third-grade class at Laurel Ledge School in Beacon Falls.

Luther's Garage in Shelton recently conducted its 2nd annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. This year, the response was even more overwhelming than last year. More than 230 stufed monkeys were collected and donated.
All of the monkeys found homes with children who are served by various organizations in the Valley and surrounding areas, including Casey Family Services of Bridgeport (www.caseyfamilyservices.org), the Valley YMCA in Ansonia, Covenant to Care for Children in the New Haven area (www.covenanttocare.org), Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley (www.bgc-lnv.org), Area Congregations Together, Inc./Spooner House (www.act-spooner.org) in Derby, and Family and Children's Aid/Shelton and Danbury Safe Homes (www.fcaweb.org.)
Monkeys were donated by area residents, Luther's customers, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Women In Networking group and other members, the employees of Naugatuck Valley Savings Bank in Derby, Keith Urban's National Fan Club (Monkeyville), Best Buddies from Shelton Intermediate School (www.bestbuddiesct.org), the Seymour Lions Club and a member of the Simian Society of America from New York.
A very special young boy, Jonny Clark, decided to lead his third-grade class at Laurel Ledge School in Beacon Falls and his family in their own plush monkey drive. He gathered up 40 monkeys and delivered them to Luther's.

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Keeping fit

From left, Grasmere Eldercare clients Byron, Betty, Mariel, Joan and Helen enjoy a workout.

You’re never too old to be in shape. Just ask the clients at Grasmere Eldercare Center in Fairfield, where exercise is an everyday affair.
Every day starts with tai chi and chi gong for arthritis. A series of slow exercises are designed to loosen and strengthen the joints. Then the music starts and they break out the weights, squeeze balls or batons. After lunch, it’s another half-hour of therabands, soccer, stretches or beach ball toss! How many young people do you know who can say they work out an hour a day, five days a week? The clients at Grasmere can!

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Bundle of joy

The parents of Julia Nunes will not have to worry about making a fuss over their baby’s birthday for at least another four years, as the considerate infant made her grand entrance into the world on Leap Day, Feb. 29, at 3:08 a.m. at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. Above, new mom Adriana Sousa and her husband and new father Rodrigo Nunes of Bridgeport get familiar with caring for their very special delivery, who weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 2 oounces. It is the first child for the young couple, who called Leap Day “the happiest day of their lives.”

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Magical 'Seussical'

Scenes from rehearsal week for Seussical Jr. at the Fraser-Woods School in Newtown.

Students in grades four through eight at the Fraser-Woods School in Newtown recently (March 5) performed in a production of Seussical Jr., a play that integrates the storylines from more than 20 of Seuss’s works, including “Horton Hears a Who,” “Horton Hatches the Egg,” and, of course, “The Cat in The Hat.” The play is written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The performance was a culmination of the school’s cultural program, whose theme this year was “Musical Theatre.”.

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All revved up for charity

The David McDermott Auto Group hosted Club Corvette of Connecticut, its members, and the recipients of the club’s 2007 charitable conations on Feb. 9 (recently). Member and service manager Joe Cetta directed participants to the Hummer facility for a breakfast buffet. Joe’s 2007 Corvette convertible looked great under the lights of the showroom.

President Jack Stacey and club members made presentations to representatives from a number of selected charities. This year, the club gave out more than $10,000 to the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries; Channel 3 Kids’ Camp; the Branford Community Dining Room; W.H.E.A.T.; the Branford Compassion Club; the Connecticut Food Bank; Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; Boy’s and Girl’s Village; American Cancer Society; Cheshire Relay For Life; Cystic Fibrosis of Connecticut; Hunt to Feed; and Child and Family Services of Connecticut.

Thanks go to David McDermott, Joe Cetta and the entire staff of David McDermott’s Auto Group, as well as club members whose hard work makes these donations and someone’s dreams possible.

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Good citizens

Adam Cleri of Shelton High School and Kimberly Rogers of Derby High School recently received Good Citizen certificates, pins, and books from the Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at the Shelton Community Center. Three students from each high school were chosen by their peers and the faculty chose one to receive the award. The students must show good character, emphasizing dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.
Cleri also entered the Good Citizens Scholarship Contest and placed second in the state. The essay was administered under the supervision of a faculty member and had to be completed at one sitting, within a two-hour time limit, and without assistance or reference materials. The title of this year’s essay was “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.”
Guest speaker at the event was NSDAR field genealogist Jolene Mullen, who talked about “Connecticut Town Meeting Records during the Revolution.” The records show that the colonists risked their lives supporting George Washington and the Continental Army and would be considered traitors to the British government.

The DAR perpetuates the memory and spirit of the men and women who won American independence. The group also helps maintain historic state properties. Any woman over 18 who can prove an ancestor served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For details, visit http://www.ctdar.org/ or call Lucille Wells at 929-0344.

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May 3, 2008

Hall of famers

The Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame conducted its plaque hanging ceremony Feb. 13 at the Hall of Fame, which is housed at UConn Stamford. Three of the six inductees for the Class of 2007 attended the ceremony. Pictured from left are: Ron Courville of Norwalk, brother of the late Jerry Courville Sr.; Nick Koules of Stamford and Stamford native Donna Lopiano, now of Easton.
Hall of Famers who were unable to be on hand include Monroe resident and longtime University of Bridgeport men's basketball coach Bruce Webster, and Jackie Robinson Professional Wing inductees Charles Nagy of Fairfield and Mike Gminski of Monroe.

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They're all winners

Above are the winners and honorable mentions from the Holland Hill Reflections Art Show Breakfast Jan. 25. Winners were in the categories of Film/Video Production, Literature, Musical Composition, Photography and Visual Arts and ranged in age from first grade to fifth grade. The theme this year was "I can make a difference..." Top row, from left, are Chance Martin, Clarence Moscaya, Sarthak Bothra, Nicole Dellipoali and Principal Frank Arnone. Middle row: Jonathan Sebourne, Vandana Sampson, Jordan Feeney, Jakob Snow, Matthew Jessen and Alex Havey. First row: Hunter Henrichsen, Evan Leonard, Jackson Shostak, Raeann Fetcho, Harsha Jain and Daniel Fallacarov.

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Irish queens

Caption: Above are Honor Attendant Laura Brayfield and parade Queen Briana Conway.

Briana Conway of Hamden has been selected as the 2008 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen. Conway, a student at the University of Connecticut, plans to go into nursing. She was sponsored by her parents, Thomas and Eileen Conway, members of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club in a competition Feb. 16. She is a member of the Grassy Hill Country Club wait staff team in Orange.
Chosen as honor attendant was Laura Brayfield, daughter of William and Claire Brayfield of Higganum. Laura is a senior at Haddam-Killingworth High School, where she is captain of her school volleyball and golf teams. She plans to study business management in college.
Both will represent the four clubs that comprise the Associated Irish Societies — the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, the Knights of St. Patrick, the West Haven Irish-American Club, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians — at events throughout the year. The New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is March 9.

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