June 21, 2008

Students receive state arts awards

Two students from St. Joseph High School have received arts awards from the Connecticut Association of Schools.
Alexa McCormack, daughter of Kevin and Lisa McCormack of Shelton, and Michael DeMasi, son of Nina and Ralph DeMasi of Milford, were designated by the school to receive the awards, which were presented at an awards banquet April 8 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
The CAS Arts Recognition Awards recognize annually two seniors in each of the high schools for outstanding ability in the performing or visual arts. Two hundred seventy-five students from 140 high schools received awards this year. More than 1,300 guests, including parents, school administrators and teachers attended the event. Diane Smith of WTIC-AM and CPTV emceed the program.
The awards banquet is sponsored annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Westfield Corp.

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Tots take on task for others

A group of 3-year-old children from B’nai Israel Nursery School in Bridgeport recently prepared a meal for 100 people at St. John Episcopal Church’s homeless shelter.

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14 named Charter Oak Scholars

The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation has awarded 14 $10,000 scholarships to recent graduates of Bridgeport High Schools. The 2008 Charter Oak Scholars, and the colleges where they are bound, are:
Khadijat Adetona, St. John’s University (Harding High); Damilola Amoo, Northeastern University (Central); Ekaterina Bazileva, Fairfield University (Harding); Andronica Bica, University of Connecticut (Central); Morine Cebert, Boston College (Central); Martika Davis, University of Connecticut (Bassick); Tanaya Hill, University of Connecticut (Central); Michelle Huynh, University of Connecticut (Central); Daniel Ndamwizeye, Southern Connecticut State University (Bassick); Kenechukuu Nwajagu, Fairfield University (Harding); Marisel Ramirez, Fairfield University (Bassick); Lynnette Repollet, University of Connecticut (Central); Sonya Sinclair, University of Connecticut (Central); Ernest Turner, Wesleyan University (Central).
Each scholar receives a $10,000 scholarship (distributed over four years) and a laptop computer. Students are also paired with a mentor who provides guidance throughout the student’s college years.

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Pet project

Last winter, Monroe Elementary School students donated more than 600 items to the Monroe Police Department’s Animal Care and Control Unit. Led by the fourth-grade peer leadership team and Kara Bouchard, school intern, students from all grades collected items such as dog and cat food, pet toys and paper towels. Officer Risko of the Monroe Police Department assisted in the project.The team consists of 18 fourth-graders who applied and were chosen to participate due to their outstanding leadership qualities. Students of this team participate in activities that will benefit both their school and town.

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School's annual game scores big for charity

Elias Zurita rejects eighth-grader Mack Montague.

CMS eighth-grader Peter Klouda catches the ball while Elias Zurita defends.

Eighth-graders from Westport’s Coleytown Middle School recently went head to head on the basketball court against the school’s faculty members, the Dream Team, at the eighth annual Faculty Basketball Game, In Style vs. The Senile.
The big game, which benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Connecticut Chapter, took place April 3 at Staples High School. This was the best game yet, as the game was decided within the final three seconds of the game with the Dream Team staff defeating the eighth-graders 49-47. The real winner was LLS, which received a check for more than $7,500 from the school.
More than 300 items were gathered for the special event, among them some autographed items: a Patrick Ewing basketball; ESPN banner; an Evangeline Lilly photo; and a John Madden football. To date, CMS has contributed nearly $97,000 to this worthy cause over the past eight years.
Thanks go to all who participated. This was a truly special evening.

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Flying high

The Irish Heritage Society of Milford is the proud owner of a very colorful set of flags that represent the 32 counties of Ireland. In the month of March society members marched in five St. Patrick’s Day parades displaying the flags along with our nation’s flag.
The parades that were participated in were New Haven (second place — Best Irish Marching Unit); Milford, where the society’s parade float took the Committee Choice award; Bridgeport; Danbury; and Mystic, where they were awarded Best Community Group.

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6 Shelton scouts advance at Court of Honor

From left are Star Scout Jason Sutyak, Eagle Scout Bobby Giuliani and Second Class Scouts Ryan Whitney, Gajaan Sittambalam and liam Farma. Not pictured is Life Scout Mike Buttrick.

On March 27, Boy Scout Troop 28 of Shelton presented rank advancements at a Court of Honor ceremony. Advancements include:
Tenderfoot — Gajaan Sittambalam, 11.
Second Class — Liam Fama, Ryan Whitney and Gajaan Sittambalam, all 11.
Star Scout — Jason Sutyak, 12.
Life Scout — Michael Buttrick, 17.
Bronze Eagle — Bobby Giuliani, 16.
Boy Scout Troop 28 of Shelton meets weekly and has a total of 27 Boy Scouts.

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Going 'Beyond the Call'

Film buffs in attendance at a screening of the film "Beyond the Call."

More than 80 film buffs attended the Palace Digital Studios after party for the screening of the award-winning film, “Beyond The Call,” at the Connecticut Film Festival at Norwalk’s Regent Theater on March 14. The after party took place at Palace Digital Studios, where wine and hors d’oeuvres were served. All proceeds benefited the Connecticut Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Winner of 30 awards, including the Tribecca Film Festival World Premiere Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Telluride Film Festival, “Beyond the Call” tells the story of three men who travel the world delivering life-saving humanitarian aid directly into the hands of civilians and doctors in the front lines of war.
“We were honored to play a role in this year’s Connecticut Film Festival and be associated with this exciting screening.” Wendy Lambert, president of Palace Digital Studios, said. “ ‘Beyond the Call,’ and the Make-A-Wish Foundation remind us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”

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Dance master

In mid-March Larry Keigwin, artistic director and choreographer of Keigwin & Co., came to the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut in Trumbull conducted a master class that was athletic, high-energy and filled with challenging choreography. Keigwin received a Bessie Award for his performance in "Dream Analysis" and has choreographed and performed on Broadway, off-Broadway and with a number of dance companies.

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Hunger help

St. Catherine of Siena Church confirmation students who planned and hosted a recent Hunger Meal were Trey Altieri, Victoria Conway, Libby Clyons, Matt Connelly, Lauren Csire, Brendan Devaney, Alicia Donnelly, Angelica Ferri, Lauren Frattaroli, Kelly Gallagher, Ryan Hanrahan, Michelle Heyder, Brendan Moore, Laura Noviskis, Billy O’Keefe, Matt O’Brien, Natalie Palko, Brianna Passero, Tess Pieragostini, Mark Pugliese, Mary Rose Rappa, Katie Riccio, Kayla Ruge, Katherine Schmidt, Noelle Starr, Matt Vazzano, Ricky Vazzano and Andrew Vojt.

Eighth-grade confirmation students at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Trumbull recently hosted a Hunger Mealy. Planned to take place during Lent, the purpose of the meal was to share the students’ newfound knowledge of the prevalence of hunger, not just in far-off places, but right in their own hometown.
Participants shared a simple meal of soup, bread and water while perusing posters and centerpieces made by the students, outlining statistics and facts about hunger and the faces of hunger in Connecticut.
Free-will donations were collected totalling $322, which was delivered to Thomas Merton House in Bridgeport in the name of this year’s confirmation class.

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Gardening Guru

Ralph Snodsmith signs copies of three of his books, “Fundamentals of Gardening,” “Tips From the Garden Hotline” and “The Tri-State Gardener’s Guide,” which he recently donated to the Trumbull Library. Pam Discko, left, co-president of the Long Hill Garden Club, looks on as Susan Horton, library director, accepts the books.

Ralph Snodsmith, popular host of the radio talk show, “The Garden Hotline,” spoke to a joint meeting of the Long Hill and Olde Ripton Garden Clubs on March 24 at the Trumbull Library. His talk, “Basket of Tricks,” was both interesting and informative. Dispersed with tips about soil preparation, proper germination of seeds, natural soil amendments, choosing the right fertilizer for your shrubs and flowers, natural fungicides and insecticides, and deer repellents were amusing stories about his more than 25 years of experience in gardening and humorous anecdotes from his radio shows. Snodsmith has received a number of awards in horticultural education from the New York Botanical Garden, where he teaches, and in broadcast journalism. He autographed books for attendees after the program.

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Plungers raise record funds

Despite challenging weather, Special Olympics Connecticut's Westport Penguin Plunge raised a record $143,000 this year. More than 450 participants braved pelting rain, biting wind and 30-degree water to make the annual event, which took place March 8 at Compo Beach, a resounding success.
According to Gail Feinstein, vice president, sales support, USI Connecticut and volunteer chairperson, the number of "plungers" far exceeded expectations. "Their dedication is truly touching," she said.
In fact, robust online pledges raised $115,000 before the first brave participant even dipped a toe in the icy surf.
USI Connecticut, formerly Webster Insurance, has supported and volunteered at the event since 2003 and proceeds have risen considerably since then: from $42,000 that year to $143,000 in 2008.
USI Connecticut was a Tent Sponsor for the Westport Plunge, and enlisted more than 40 employees, clients, business partners, friends and family.
Volunteers donned their rain gear and handled registration, crowd control and other logistics during the event. Bob's Discount Furniture was the presenting sponsor, and the town of Westport provided divers and Police and Fire Department assistance to assure everyone's safety.
Feinstein hopes to have even more "plungers" in the water next year. "We'll break the $175,000 mark in 2009," she predicted.

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Mr. Prez

Members of the Derby Historical Society recently elected John "Jack" Walsh, right, as president of the society's board of directors at the society's annual meeting. Outgoing president Randy Ritter, left, was presented with a plaque for his efforts on behalf of the society. Also elected were vice president Judy Augusta, secretary Barbara Jean Garofalo and treasurer Cyndi Poppa.

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Appalachia project gets big boost

Kalyn Sandia Choma, Stratford United Methodist Church Appalachia Service Project volunteer, gratefully accepts a donation from Wal-Mart training coordinator Jennifer Rosa. The donation was made possible through the Wal-Mart Community Grant Program.

In 2007, Stratford United Methodist Church sent a team of five local youths (ninth- through 12th-graders) and their group leaders to spend a week of their summer vacations volunteering in Lenore, WVa. Working through the Appalachia Service Project, the team repaired roofs, replaced soffits and gutters, added base boards, replaced ceilings and laid flooring at the homes of two local families.
The week was such a rewarding experience that this summer three teams will be volunteering in West Virginia through the church. The teams must raise $10,000 to finance the trip and have a number of fundraisers planned, including a June golf tournament. The team is also reaching out to local businesses and corporations for donations.
The project team thanks Wal-Mart for its generous support.

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Sole award

Above, Carole Fanslow holds the Golden Sneaker awarded to the Greater Bridgeport CROP Walk for Hunger on March 31. The award is for the most walkers and most money raised in the Bridgeport Walk in 2007. The next walk is scheduled for May 4. Shown with Fanslow are state Rep. Felipe Reinoso, CROP chairman, and the Rev. Jesse Glick, tri- state coordinator. CROP Hunger Walks are interfaith community events sponsored by Church World Service to combat hunger. Local food programs receive 25 percent of the funds raised, with most of the remainder dispursed worldwide.

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Basketball champs

The Hornets recently won the Shelton Recreation League 7- and 8-year-old basketball championship with a victory over the Heat. The Hornets had an undefeated season!! Team members, from left, are Scott Spitz, assistant coach, Tom Murphy, head coach; Siam Ali, Jared Mallozzi, Ryan Murphy, Eric Roke, Tre Genova, Wesley Stein, David Spitz, Ryan Haack and Michael Rosati. Not pictured is Hunter Wronski.

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Cafe' serving up a special brew

Rick Hirsch, left, director of the Family Business Center at Quinnipiac University and adviser to the Quinnipiac chapter of Students in Free Enterprise, and Michael Yatsko of Monroe are among those involved in launching Café Cameroon.

A group of Quinnipiac University students is hoping its new coffee business will help improve the health and well-being of people living in Bawa, a village in Cameroon, Africa.
Students in the Quinnipiac chapter of Students in Free Enterprise launched their new venture, Café Cameroon, on April 8. The café is a social entrepreneurial venture aimed at creating a sustainable economy by providing the 400 residents of Bawa with the tools to help them export their high-grade coffee beans to the United States. The goal is to generate enough profit to build a much-needed health center.
The venture, according to Rick Hirsch, director of the Family Business Center at Quinnipiac and SIFE adviser, was first developed in November to benefit the residents of Bawa, where no water or sanitation system exists. The 15 Quinnipiac students involved in the project have been working in teams to handle logistics, accounting, sales and public relations. The students worked with one farm in Bawa to get its first shipment of coffee, which arrived in February. As the venture expands, the organizers expect to work with more farms.
The students are collaborating with the Bawa Health Initiative, an independent nonprofit charitable organization established to provide primary health care to residents of Bawa. All café proceeds will go directly to the initiative.
SIFE is also working with an inner-city school in New Haven, the Metropolitan Business Academy, to advertise the coffee on the streets of New Haven, and to local, high-end coffee shops in the area. Locations where the coffee will be sold will be listed on www.cafecameroon.com.

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Kicking off a good cause

The Fairfield County Sports Commission collected more than 200 soccer balls at its Park City SportsFest in Bridgeport in March for the Kick For Nick program. The program honors former Wilton High School soccer player Pfc. Nick Madaras, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006. The commission handed off the balls at the Wilton Legion Hall for shipping to Iraq, where U.S. soldiers will distribute them to children there. Accepting the balls on behalf of Kick For Nick is one of the founders, Ken Dartley, left, and Bill Madaras, Nick's father, right. Sterling House in Stratford also played a major role in collecting balls; representing Sterling House are Brett O'Brien and Clark Law.

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June 14, 2008

Caring kids demonstrate what they can do

The Church School children of St. John's Orthodox Church in Stratford recently participated in the annual Souperbowl of Caring Project that takes place every Superbowl Sunday across the United States. The goal is to raise awareness of the many people who go hungry each and every day. The children collected cans of soup and monetary donations at the end of church services on Superbowl Sunday and then contributed them to the Sterling House Community Center Food Bank in Stratford. Some of the children who helped were, front row, from left, Stephen Ordner and Melissa Tartaglio. Back row: Stephen Grabarz, Emilia Ordner, Josef Samilenko, Sarah Tartaglio and Kristen Grabarz.

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Derby scouts get to work

More than 50 members of Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby participated in the troop’s annual Good Friday Community Service Project. The Scouts raked and cleared debris from the grounds of their sponsoring organization, Derby Second Congregational Church, as well as the Derby United Methodist Chuch, sponsors of Cub Scout Pack 3. Above are the Troop 3 Scouts and leaders on the steps of Derby Second Congregational Church.

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Events go swimmingly

Through their dedication and hard work, two Bridgeport/Stratford YMCA Swim Team members qualified for the YMCA New England Regionals in March at Harvard University.
Haley Mitchell-Adams achieved qualifying times in three events, and had some great times at the New Englands, earning herself place finishes in her three events.
Ryan Reilly also qualified and finished 44th in his event. During the Connecticut Swimming 2008 Connecticut Regional Championship Ryan also placed in several events.

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Hoppy fellow

The Animal Rescue Club at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull recently volunteered at Hop-A-Long Hollow, a nonprofit Fairfield County-based small animal shelter. The students changed litter boxes, cleaned out cages, and socialized with the animals. Student volunteers included Jordan Decoteau of West Haven, Ryan Feminella of Newtown and Christina Forgione of Shelton. Above is club moderator and St. Joseph High School faculty member Cynthia Richter, with one of the shelter residents.

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Scouts get to work

Members of Troop 11 Boy Scouts from Seymour spent a spring afternoon cleaning the surrounding wooded area at Bungay School. Troop members include, from left, Cub Scout Matthew Wojtowicz and Pack 11 members David Wojtowicz, Erik Lydiksen, Wesley Minalga, Sam Cournoyer and Alex Ney.

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Cents-ational act

One of the many “acts of kindness” that the children at Susanna Wesley School in Shelton did this year was to collect pennies. During the months of February and March, each classroom had a large container with a sign, “Pennies for Passion.” The children brought in pennies and, when the jars were full, made a donation to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home to families of terminally ill children.

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Annual Pinewood Derby fast fun for all

Pack 89 Pinewood Derby overall winners, from left: first place, Evan Leonard, Wolf Scout; second place, Jonathan Porrazzo, Tiger Scout; and third place, Kenrick Lee, Wolf Scout.

Holland Hill APR transformed into the Indy 500 with Cub Master Paul Gosselin and Master of Ceremonies Peter Bartush.

Scouts watching the races.

Kenny Hine, Tiger Wolf, with dad. He had the Most Authentic Car.

Daniel Fallacaro, Most Original Car, and Evan Leonard, first place overall winner. Both boys are Wolf Scouts.

Alex Mocarski, Wolf Scout, first place for Den 3.

Vroom, vroom ... Cub Scout Pack 89 from Fairfield’s Holland Hill Elementary School recently took part in its Pinewood Derby, the most anticipated Scout event of the year. Each Scout was given a simple block of wood and for several weeks kept busy sawing, sanding and painting to transform the wood into a pinewood derby car.
Trophies were awarded for the first, second and third fastest cars overall.
A number of other trophies were awarded, as well, such as the fastest car in each den, best in show, most authentic, most original, etc. It was an exciting and fun night for Pack 89.

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Tutu wonderful

Seated, from left, are Alan Harris, Sue Blumenstock, Bernice Rogers and Harriet Dietz. Standing: Don Friedewald, Kate Loh, Jose Rivera, Virginia Horne, Nancy Spence, Sylvia Freedman, and volunteer Barbara Boroughs, of Weston.

The Connecticut Ballet performed for the residents at the Jewish Home for the Elderly, Fairfield, recently (3/31/08).
"The residents were so engaged with our performance I felt like they did not want us to stop," said Brett Raphael, artistic eirector of the company. "Perhaps they were never interested in ballet, or were too busy when they were younger. Now they have the time to sit back, enjoy the show and appreciate all that they see. We had a wonderful time dancing for them."
Barbara Boroughs, of Weston, a volunteer at the Home, has developed a warm relationship with many of the residents, including Sylvia Freedman, formerly of Danbury.
"I am so glad I was with Sylvia for this performance," said Boroughs. "She was a ballet teacher for many, many years. During our visits she tells me how much she loves ballet and how much she enjoyed teaching dance. I know she understands all the work that goes into creating such a beautiful presentation."

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Special trip

Above, Realtors and friends of Stratford’s Prudential Connecticut Realty office before taking off for the Mohegan Sun Casino recently. The trip was a fundraising trip for the Sunshine Kids, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing some joy into the lives of children with cancer.

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Sharing stories

On March 7 Bridgeport community leaders were invited to read "bedtime stories" to High Horizon Magnet School students in kindergarten through third grade. The children, along with their parents, siblings, Principal Melissa Jenkins and volunteer staff members — all clad in their "PJs" — were treated to cookies and milk as they listened to the men not only read to them, but also answer questions about their jobs, as well as their commitment to Bridgeport and strides being taken to move the city in a positive direction.
Participants in the event on that rainy, cold evening included Mayor Bill Finch, Asst. Supt. Doug Hiscox, Bridgeport Police Chief Bryan Norwood, Bridgeport Police Sgt. John R. Cueto, Bridgeport Police Sgt. Erick Norton, Bridgeport Fire Dept. Capt. Robert Morton, Bridgeport firefighter Ziggy Mysliwiec and Bridgeport firefighter Charlie Deer.

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Excellence rewarded

DAR Good Citizen Award winners, standing, from left, with DAR Regent Pamela Huth are Colin Nevins, Amie Rosenblum, Madeline Cummings and Torin Bond. Marilyse Ajala is missing from the photo.

The Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented its prestigious DAR Good Citizen Award to five high school students March 9 at the Old Fairfield Academy. The recipients were selected by their counselors on the basis of scholarship and outstanding service to their school and community.
Winner of the DAR Good Citizen Essay Contest was Colin Nevins of Fairfield College Preparatory School.
Award recipients also included Madeline Cummings, Joel Barlow; Amie Rosenblum, Fairfield Warde; Torin Bond, Fairfield Ludlowe; and Marilyse Ajala, Notre Dame Catholic.
Fairfield Selectwoman Denise Dougiello was on hand to congratulate them.

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Gymnastics fun day

Stepney Elementary School students recently celebrated Gymnastics Day at the Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA in Monroe. Students learned games involving teamwork, as well as skills on a variety of gymnastics equipment. Each student was awarded a gold medal for working very hard in the classroom and having a successful academic marking period.

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Serving up 'A Dinner to Remember'

Above and left, Torch Club members and volunteers from Enterprise Rent-A-Car serve up an Italian dinner.

Members of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s Torch Club, along with the volunteers from Enterprise Rent- A- Car, recently hosted the 2nd annual, “A Dinner to Remember.”
The pasta dinner was served to friends, family and guests of the Torch Club. Also invited as special guests were clients of the Spooner house and the Shelton safe house. The guests were served in an Italian-style restaurant atmosphere.
This year Enterprise staff helped in the kitchen and where needed. The kids were assigned restaurant duties, but providing the best service meant they had to wear many hats.
“We could hardly believe how many people came this year, how the great people from Enterprise really helped us out. Ambrosia Bakery donated Italian bread for the second year. The kids had a great time, and learned that running a restaurant and working nonstop for four hours is a lot of work. From the Torch Club, I just want to thank Enterprise Rent A Car for all of the help and support. It was certainly “A Dinner to Remember,” Jill DeWerdt, Torch Club adviser, said.

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Good citizens

Above, from left, are Samantha Free of Lauralton Hall, Krystal Sternbach of Platt Technical High School, and Martin Page of Foran High School with Susan D’Ambrosio, DAR Good Citizens chairman.

The Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, presented Good Citizen awards to four outstanding seniors at local high schools. All excel in academics, and are involved in extracurricular activities in both school and the community. They have demonstrated qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, the DAR standards of patriotism.
Susan D’Ambrosio, DAR Good Citizens chairman, presented certificates, pins and $100 to Samantha Free of the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy-Lauralton Hall; Krystal Sternbach of Platt Technical High School; Martin Page of Joseph A. Foran High School; and Kevin Fox of Jonathan Law High School, who was unable to attend.

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Olympic donation

Slovak Catholic Sokol, Wreath 1, supports many causes. Recently, the group presented a donation to the Special Olympics Connecticut, Southwest Region, at the organization’s Stratford office. Above, Marie Domack, left, administrative assistant, accepts a check from Irene Sinanis, president/ financial secretary of the Wreath, and Eileen Wilson, secretary. The Wreath’s Brother Sokols of Assembly 9 also made a donation.

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Friendly visit

For many years, Slovak Catholic Sokol, Wreath 1, has celebrated and commemorated the feast of their patroness, St. Frances of Rome. They attend a Mass on the actual feast day for living/deceased members at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Stratford. Breakfast and a gift-bearing visit to their long-term home and health-care center members follows. Above, Mary Prusak, center, former group auditor, enjoys a visit from secretary Eileen Wilson, left, and treasurer Emily Velky.

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3 new inductees

On March 6, the Seymour/Oxford Rotary Club inducted three new members. Above, from left, are Julie Ramia, Sue Horelick (standing) and Karen Spargo. The inductees were sworn in by District Gov. Ernie Luise. Also in attendance was Assistant District Gov. Rupi Rupwani.

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Positive examples

The Al Aziz Islamic Center’s 28th annual dinner honoring women who are positive examples in the community took place March 22 at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn. From left, standing, are Imam Nasif Muhammad; presenter Nadirah Shakir; and awardees Sahirah Muhammad, Gloria Cummings, Milagros Sanchez and speaker Gwen Edwards. Seated are violinist Kersten Stevens, and awardees Fahmidah Khan, Gulafshan Alavi and Mary Marcial.

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June 7, 2008

Drama kids 'high' on 'musical' performance

The Mathewson School Drama Club, with 105 students, presented its 16th annual original drama production March 28 and 29. This year’s show, ”Drama at the Drive-in,” was written, directed, choreographed and produced by volunteers, consisting of the Milford school’s parents and alumni. The show took place at the Parsons Center in Milford. Above is the fifth-grade group, which performed “High School Musical.” First row, from left, are Michael DeLorio, Emily Fetter, Diamantis Kefalas, Kimberly Knipstein, Amy Chacho, Ming-Yeah Hu, Alec Perrotti and Chyna Lipnickas. Second row: Emily Fernschild, Alex Carriero, Kyle Soviero, Emily Aoki, Victoria Duran, Veronica Buzelle and Nicholas Shaw. Third row: Jillian Shugrue, Drew Carolan, Shannon Williams, Kayla Patrick and Conner Shaw. Fourth row: Erica Velky, Tyler Griffen, Samantha Adams, Jamie Georgelos, April Ospina and Hawkins French.

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Quite the craftsmen

The Cub Scouts of Pack 25 Den 3 Shelton took a leather crafting class April 5 at Tandy Leather Factory in East Hartford. The boys learned about the art of tanning, stamping and staining leather. Each boy made a belt and bookmark. The class goes toward the Webelos craftsman badge. From left are Scouts Alex Mills, Mark Sullivan, Christopher Friend, Sam Molitoris, Zachary Rogers and Justin Fabozzi.

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Going bald a good thing

Back row, from left, are Dylan Garrison, Taylor Chavez, Travis Willey, Sean Dufficy, Ryan Campbell, Coach Bob Ullman and Matthew Ullman. Bottom row, from left, Stephen Willey, Becky Whalen, Patrick Heeks and Spencer Tuohy.

Members of the Greater Bridgeport Junior Hockey Association (GBJHA) shaved their heads or cut more than 10 inches of hair for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation at The Rinks at Shelton recently.
The group raised more than $3,500. It was 14-year-old Matthew Ullman’s idea to organize this event with his hockey buddies at GBJHA. This is Matthew’s and some of the other participants’ second year as shavees. Ullman’s father, Bob, a coach for the association, helped his son organize the event. Nicole Barksdale, of Beacon Falls, was the barber for the event.

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Students take on service project for African children

For a second year, sixth- and seventh-graders at Thurgood Marshall Middle School for Social Justice in Bridgeport, alond with their teacher, Calia Constantine, organized a school supply drive to benefit young children at a school in Nigeria. Below, one of last year's students with her new supplies.

For the second year in a row, students at Thurgood Marshall Middle School for Social Justice in Bridgeport helped make a difference in children’s lives. The sixth- and seventh-graders, along with their teacher, Calla Constantine, spearheaded a community service project to benefit students at a school in Africa.
They organized a school supply drive to benefit young children at the Unguwar Rimi LEA School in Kaduna, Nigeria.
The students created posters and spread the word about the project. Each grade was assigned a different item and they were later collected, sorted, and packaged in plastic bags. Each student at the Rimi Lea school will receive a bag with pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener, a ruler, scissors, colored pencils, a glue stick, and colorful stickers. This year’s turnout was exceptional, with more than 250 bags for the school.
The idea for the project was initiated by Nadia Smith, a native of Kaduna, and a parent volunteer. Smith's aunt now runs a nearby sister school, Essence International School, in which older students tutor students at Unguwar Rimi Lea school.
Warda Kane-Geismar, another parent volunteer, also helped plan the details of the project, along with Carmen Fletcher and David Hodson, art teachers, who assisted the students in making colorful and cheerful cards of hope and peace.
Constantine is looking forward to expanding this project next year to include other schools from the community.

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Caring kids can do

Brownie Troop 32028 from Jennings Elementary School in Fairfield recently completed a service project to benefit the Circle of Care for families with cancer organization based in Wilton. The girls created placemats, above, and silk flower pens for the Circle of Care children to utilize during their hospital stays.

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Ancient story time

Congregation Adath Israel celebrated Purim and the reading of the Megillah on March 20. Megillah readers were Bonnie Goldstein, left, Lisa Chaloux and Rabbi Shaul Praver. The Megillah is a scroll completely hand-written in Hebrew with the story of Purim. It it chanted with a special tune and tells the story of Queen Esther and King Ahashverosh.

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Very special volunteer feted

On April 28, Students and staff at Monroe Elementary School celebrated the 80th birthday of a very special volunteer, Dominick Ferrara.
For the past 13 years, Ferrara has been a reader in the paired reading program. “Paired reading allows for valuable one-on-one reading time,” reading consultant Sharon McCauley said. “Every first- and second-grade student is given the opportunity to read a short book to Mr. Ferrara.”
Ferrara started volunteering when one of his grandchildren was a first-grader at the school.
At the event Ferrara was led to the gymnasium, where he was surprised by students and staff members. His wife Evelyn was on hand to witness the festivities. Students read handmade cards, teachers presented him with a basketful of gifts, and cake and ice cream was shared. “This is one of the few times in my life that I am speechless,” Ferrara said.
When asked why he enjoys volunteering, Ferrara explained, “I enjoy seeing the progress that students make.” He added, “They teach me something every day.”
Ferrara is retired from J. Walter Thompson Advertising in New York City. He has three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys golf, working around the house, and of course, reading.

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Law team No. 1 in regional competition

Quinnipiac University law student Ryan O'Neill of Trumbull was part of a team of three Quinnipiac law students who won the recent Northeast Regional National Trial Advocacy Competition.

Quinnipiac University law student Ryan O’Neill of Trumbull was part of a team of three Quinnipiac law students who won the Northeast Regional National Trial Advocacy Competition sponsored by the Texas Young Lawyers Association.
The regional competition took place Feb. 7 to 10 at Quinnipiac’s School of Law Center and the University of Connecticut School of Law. The win provided the opportunity for the three students to compete against 28 other teams at the national competition March 26 to 29 in Austin, Texas. The competition began with more than 300 teams competing in 14 regions nationwide. The top two teams from each region competed in the national competition won by Chicago-Kent College of Law.
O’Neill, a third-year law student, won the Best Advocate Award at the regional competition.
The Northeast competition involved 22 teams from 11 schools. Quinnipiac adjunct law professor Jennifer Nowak, Quinnipiac alumna Sara Simeonides and Quinnipiac’s Mock Trial Honor Society coached the students and coordinated the regional competition.

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Inspirational class

Desmond Richardson, hailed by the New York Times as "one of the great modern dancers of his time," recently spent a Saturday afternoon with the dancers of the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut in Trumbull, where he taught an inspirational master class. Richardson, now with Complexions, has danced with Alvin Ailey, ABT, on Broadway in “Fosse” and appeared on television, film and video with Michael Jackson, Prince and Aretha Franklin.

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Thinking of others

High Horizons Magnet School Student Council members Elasia Brooks, Breanna Shepard, Kendra Thomas and Erin Walker recently were among those who participated in a school coat drive.

During the month of December, students at High Horizons Magnet School in Bridgeport, including the Student Council, showed that even young children can pitch in to help their community, by collecting coats for a Coats For Kids program.
Day after day, coats were put into two large boxes. After weeks of collecting, both boxes were filled with warm winter coats of various sizes. American Medical Response came to the school and picked up the coats. The coats will warm months.

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Go, Panthers!

The 2007-08 cheering season has been a very exciting one for the Masuk Panthers from Monroe. This talented group of young ladies has had a very commendable season, attaining the highest score at all five competitions in which they participated, on the local, regional and national levels.
Masuk placed first, and were grand champions at both the Take One Challenge at New Fairfield High School and the New England Cheerleaders Association’s championship, scoring highest out of all competing divisions. In addition, the girls competed at the Athletic Championship National competition and received the highest score of the entire weekend!
Finally, their most prestigious and rewarding achievement was placing first in the state for Class LL.
“We are so proud of what the girls accomplished this year! They learned a valuable lesson: hard work and dedication pays off!” said Coach Jackie Stewart. The team, led by captains Katie Fernandes, Kasey McMillan and Danielle Hawley, also included Rebecca Kallas, Danielle Zumbo, Courtney Lynch, Stephanie Hawley, Jennie Garza, Jessica Davila, Leigha Krize, Michelle Mota, Michelle Zumbo, Alli Defeo, Kylie Alfred, Kate Thibodeau, Becca Lasso, Brittney Tigano, Felicia Anzalone, Jen Zumbo, Cora Zenko and Sherri Baker. The team is also coached by Becky Willis and Michelle Mattaboni.

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Road