To get students involved in marking the 375th anniversary of Stratford’s establishment in 1639 the town’s celebration committee and the Chamber of Commerce organized an art contest for elementary, middle and high school students with the theme ‘My Stratford Neighborhood.’

The contest was coordinated with Brian Frazier of Stratford public schools and Sara Voccola, an art teacher at Stratford High. Winners have been selected and the artwork from the contest is now hanging in Town Hall outside the town clerk’s office.

Drawings, paintings, mixed media collages and photography were accepted. The winners are:

Grades K-2

1st prize — Lauryn Wright, Chapel Street, age 8, grade 2

2nd prize — Abigail Bonoff, Second Hill Lane, age 6, kindergarten

Honorable Mention — Laura Micu, Nichols, age 6, grade 1; Megan Stack, Second Hill Lane, age 6, grade 1; Emilia Hevenstone, Stratford Academy, age 6, grade 1, Bella Meneo

Grades 3-4

1st prize — Faith Sanfratello, Chapel Street School, age 9, grade 3

2nd prize — Faith Cushing, Second Hill Lane, age 9, grade 4

Honorable Mention — Julia Karwacki, Nichols, age 10, grade 4; Thomas Micu, Nichols, age 9, grade 4; Gabriella M. Sannino, Chapel, age 9, grade 3

Grades 5-6

1st prize — Jessica Maldonado, Lordship School, age 11, grade 6

2nd prize — Amandine Sime, Second Hill Lane, age 10, grade 5

Honorable Mention — Tyree Hall, Stratford Academy, age 12, grade 6; Riley Matto, Stratford Academy, age 11, grade 6; Helen Lefever, Stratford Academy, age 11, grade 6

Grades 9-12

1st prize — Samantha Feliciano, Stratford High School

2nd prize — Maggie DeCapua, Stratford High School

Honorable Mention — Destiny Acevedo, Stratford High School; Tiffany Carofano, Stratford High School

The Stratford High School Renovation Subcommittee expects to recommend its choice for project construction manager (CM) to the Town Council’s Building Needs Committee in December, so that the full council can act on the CM choice at its January meeting.

With a CM approved, architect Paul Antinozzi expects to work with the CM in January to review each of the five construction schemes that are being considered by the subcommittee.

This timeline was determined at the subcommittee’s monthly meeting on Nov. 17. With this timeline, February would be the earliest that the subcommittee would likely vote on its choice of construction scheme — whether renovate, renovate as new, or do mostly new construction.

As with the CM choice, after the subcommittee makes its choice, the recommendation would then go to Building Needs Committee and then to the full Town Council.

Stratford High Principal Joe Corso attended the subcommittee’s meeting and said he would like to see progress on selecting the construction scheme. He told the group that the town has known about SHS building deficiencies for 18 years, and the state agreed eight years ago not to put the school on probation with the understanding that there would be movement by the town to improve the facilities.

Corso said his two-year report to the state is due in September 2015, and it must “show movement” on building renovations or “risk probation.”

During the subcommittee’s Nov. 17 meeting a number of changes to the subcommittee membership were agreed to and approved by the Building Needs Committee later that evening. Board of Education member Christian Barnaby had agreed to be taken off the committee, according to Chairman Allen Llewelyn, and the group decided to remove Alvin O’Neal due to lack of recent participation.

Added as formal members of the subcommittee were Board of Education member Len Petruccelli, Town Council member Ken Poisson and Corso, each of whom had been regularly attending recent meetings.

Petruccelli, Poisson and Corso join Llewelyn, BOE member Bob Chaloux, BOE Chief Operating Officer Clarence Zachery, Town Council member Jason Santi, Town Council member Stephanie Philips, and Dan Senft as formal members of the SHS Renovation Subcommittee.

Stratford High School

The Stratford Drama Society will present, See How They Run, in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. both days. All seats reserved are $10. Call 203-380-6777, ext. 1234, or visit stratfordhight.stratfordk12.org for more information.

See How They Run is a British comedy in three acts by Philip King. It is considered a farce for its tense comic situations and headlong humor, heavily playing on mistaken identity, doors, and vicars. The play is set shortly after the end of World War II in the living room of the vicarage at the fictitious village of Merton-cum-Middlewick. Resident nosy-parker and spinster, Miss Skillon, becomes convinced that her beloved vicar’s actress wife is having an affair and attempts to expose her. Add an escaped Soviet spy, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop of Lax, a second vicar and the local police sergeant and hilarious confusion and mayhem result.

The cast of See How They Run includes Julia Barksdale, Austin Bult, Chris Decrescenzo, Justin Gendron, Lauren Holt, Zachary Kenney, Barry Libowitz, Emily Lopez, Sam Noccioli, Teyana Powell, and Christopher Smith.

The production is directed by Kathleen Murphy and produced by Jeff Leinen. Costuming is by Susan Barksdale and set design is by Mike Rich.

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom row, are Austin Bult, Chris Smith Justin Gendron, Zachary Kenney (green shirt), Barry Libowitz (black shirt) Lauren Holt, Sam Noccioli (stripes) Chrs Decrenscenzo, Julia Barksdale, Emily Lopez (drama club pres), Teyana Powell (seated).

The Stratford Drama Society will present, See How They Run, in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. both days. All seats reserved are $10. Call 203-380-6777, ext. 1234, or visit stratfordhight.stratfordk12.org for more information.

See How They Run is a British comedy in three acts by Philip King. It is considered a farce for its tense comic situations and headlong humor, heavily playing on mistaken identity, doors, and vicars. The play is set shortly after the end of World War II in the living room of the vicarage at the fictitious village of Merton-cum-Middlewick. Resident nosy-parker and spinster, Miss Skillon, becomes convinced that her beloved vicar’s actress wife is having an affair and attempts to expose her. Add an escaped Soviet spy, a handsome actor, the visiting Bishop of Lax, a second vicar and the local police sergeant and hilarious confusion and mayhem result.

The cast of See How They Run includes Julia Barksdale, Austin Bult, Chris Decrescenzo, Justin Gendron, Lauren Holt, Zachary Kenney, Barry Libowitz, Emily Lopez, Sam Noccioli, Teyana Powell, and Christopher Smith.

The production is directed by Kathleen Murphy and produced by Jeff Leinen. Costuming is by Susan Barksdale and set design is by Mike Rich.

The following students were named to the first quarter marking period at Stratford High School:

First honors

Grade 9 — Mohamad Aljleilati, Natalie Anderson, Michael August, Caitlin Bacon, Heather Bacon, Tyler Bailey, Milton Barrera-Garcia, Steven Bonazzo, Jada Bryan, Helen Calderon, Jake Chittem, Nicholas Cipriani, Abigail Colwell, Emma Cranston, Laura Daniel, Carmela Daponte-Smith, Jeremiah Domschine, Brendan Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Elise Dunning, Mikhaila Eller, Emily Faulkner;

Also, Alexandra Flathers, Zachary Flores, Amanda Gallagher, Kate Gavilanes, Emily Goddard, Naishia Gray, Amanda Haydu, Ameira Hernandez, Gardison Jean, Steevenson Jean, Amanda Jeffreys, Trevor Johnson, Trinite Kayembe, Zachary Kenney, Brianna Lapia, Barry Libowitz, Amanda Lubin, Alexis Mackbach, Eric Mackowski, Gillian Mariconda, Raymond McIlhoney, Christian Medina, Shannon Meisel, Philip Mercurio, Isabella Moshier, Emily Mucherino, Matthew Murray, Kerrigan Murtha, Lauren Nadzam;

Also, Kristen Navarro, Kristi Pena, Marley Peterson, John Reed, Jenique Richards, Samantha Ritchie, Alicja Rog, Clarissa Rotonto, Emma Sakowicz, Antonio Sciarappa, Gavin Scofield, Hannah Shimura, Reilly Simpson, Aoife Smith, Emily Sosik, Kamrock Tovar, Martina Troncoso, Magda Twardowska, Danny Vega, Daniel Vilarinho, Andrew Visnicky, Joseph Wierzbicki, Jessica Wills, Ayesha Zahrah.

Grade 10 — Connor Anderson, Nazea Anderson, Tia Anderson, Ndidi Anekwe, Connor Anstis, Mackenzie Bakos, Ross Bodington, Britney Boursiquot, Brianna Braham, Amelia Brennan, Ashley Carcamo-Martinez, Jordan Chach, Shawn Chambers, Danielle Cisero, Bexhet Dovolani, Maia Dufane, Mackenzie Dunn, Erik Flores, Samantha Gangemi, Geovanni Garrison, Zachary Gottlieb, Caitlin Hoey, Jessica Homburg, Khalifa Karim, Steven Koripsky, Roula Kouvatas, Emma Lacourciere, Jean-Paul Lieu, Caroline Londa;

Also, Leanne Lubas, Emily Luciano, Dachene Morris, Olivia Murray, Allysa Noccioli, Jenna Noccioli, Sam Noccioli, Angeleen Pingol, Martha Polanco, Anginette Repollet, Meghan Reynolds, Nicole Richards, Samantha Rivera, Vanessa Rivera, Alexis Rosado, Vanessa Russo, Molly Ryan, Sabrina Saad, Daniel Schaefer, Katie Schneider, Raghad Serri, Jeffrey Sharnick, Maggie Shea, Dejanah Smith, Khalil Sokunle, Colin Townsend, Marguerite Walsh, Kaya Wells, Michael Yacik, Brady Young.

Grade 11 — Marlene Abouaassi, Julia Barksdale, Kristina Bennett, Timothy Breiner, Joseph Cox, Jewls Douge, Elissa Dykes, Jomaris Echevarria, Danielle Evan, Kyle Fasanella, Jakarie Fulton, Gillian Goddard, Olivia Mastroluca, Joseph McClean, Gabrielle Olexovitch, Emily Pappas, Kayla Penna, Danielle Peterson, Michael Petillo, Teresa Petreycik, Alexander Ramos, Christoph Roberts, William Rooney, Tamara Schriffert, Jakub Tomaszewski, Victoire Tshitenge, Kacie Velasquez.

Grade 12 — Gabriela Aguieiras, Anthony Alvarez, Ashley Bowers, Samantha Breaz, Austin Bult, Brianna Bursey, Crisstal Cabrera, Zane Carey, Christopher Carroll, Danielle Caselli, Piotr Chaber, Phinehas Cleary, Halona Colon, Alexander Colwell, Marissa Dacruz, Tyler Devellis, Jerry Dinan, Nathanael Domschine, Joseph Dragone, Cayman Durost, Jack Erazmus, Thomas Ferrara, Tarquinn Granado, Lance Jamison, Stephen Jepsen, Jackson Kiernan-Morris, Kyle Kodnia;

Also, Katherine Krasniewicz, Michael Lapia, Nicole Longo, Emily Lopez, Alex Masi, Michael McClean, Dezmonda’e McKoy, Kevin Mendoza, Albert Messana, Alyssa Mucherino, Celina Perez, Laura Quijano Jimenez, Alexis Rader, Kareem Robinson, Natalia Roman, Christian Sarmiento, Matthew Schaefer, Matthew Tecci, Patrick Warren, Emily Winter.

Second honors

Grade 9 — Christopher Antrum, Matthew Barrios, Dakota Benson, Robert Bloxsom, Samantha Bobko, Jade Bonardi, Taylor Brady, Brianna Brantley, Jayson Camargo, Edwin Camille, Christopher Carey, Ryan Carrano, Shyla Caserta, Rory Cooper, Daniel Cox, Kaylee Davidson, Scott Detuzzi, Kevan Duffy, Marla Fetcho, Ariana Granado, Abigail Granton, Tyler Heffern, Molly Hines, Evan Hudenets, Anjel Juarez, Phoebe Lindsey, Michael Little;

Also, Brianna Lora, Cora Martonak, Anaceona Mejias, Gianella Moyano, Julianna Nunez, Jeremy Oliveras, Chloe Plavcan, Damian Quinones, Sara Rader, Brandon Ramirez, Jovanny Riley, Bryana Rivera, Cristina Rodriguez, Kanii Sampson, Kiera Santiago, Jalon Scudder, Emily Shaw, Victoria Sorrentino, Chyna Tisdale, David Tran, Shannon Tripodi, Alexis Velez, Katherine Weller, Dream Whitaker, Nicholas Yerinides, Yasmin Zieneddin.

Grade 10 — Maher Alsakkaf, Benjamin Andrade, Shaiann Bridges Potts, Umer Butt, Lauren Cesar, Justin Champagne, Nicholas Cody, Jeremy Corpuz, Olivia Donnelly, Dillon Fabrizio, Thomas Fernandes, Britnie Frances, Chlorie Francois, Tristan Frownfelter, Lia Galeano, Matthew Gerrity, Ryan Gerrity, Charlotte Haas, Brooke Haschak, Paige Hoydick, Kaitlyn Keegan, Kelsey Lepesko, Daija Lockley, Carley Lubas;

Also, Peter Luong, Kamal Mansour, Rahaf Mansour, Rebecca McMahon, Tiffany Mendenhall, Brandy Okrah, Megan Pale, Anh Pham, Olivia Plavcan, Terry Ramalho, Rayanne Santos, Nathaniel Shields, Daire Smith, Cassidi Sutherland, Moise Tshitenge, Brittany Vasquez, Franklin Vasquez, Tyler Verissimo, Emily Wilson.

Grade 11 — Donia Alkandry, Victoria Almeida, Martha Barragan, Elmar Barrios, Payton Barta, Grace Belport, Jackson Bonazzo, Helen Branyan, Daniel Brennan, Joana Brousseau, David Buonantony, Michelle Buzzanca, Gabrielle Camarero, Kyle Carmona, Jordan Carrion, Frederick Clark, John Cox, Denise DeJesus, Zachary Dillon, Shannon Dugan, Jayla Frederick, Nathan Glick, Mackenzie Gold, David Goldstein, Giovanni Gonzalez, Katherine Goodrich, Autumn Graham;

Also, Christopher Hamilton, Sarah Idarraga, Audray Joseph, Sarah Kotsay, Helen Langston, Madison Lazaro, Megan Leonard, Willie Llera, Shelby Mackowski, Willie McCallister, Sylwia Pajorek, Brianna Pensanti, Stephen Rohaly, Kevin Rosario, Brianna Rotonto, Zohra Sarpas, Tyler Schuessler, Rachel Scott, Noah Shaw, Chynna Sherrod, Anthony Silva de Sousa, Christopher Smith, Richard Starkey, Michael Turzer, Maria Velasquez, Luis Villanueva, Autumn Wright, Sarah Wright.

Grade 12 — Yamileth Alvarez, Jenna Amoroso, Tahirah Anderson, Bertha Barrios, Samantha Belport, Giselle Bonilla, Shaquanna Borodack, Samuel Breiner, Austin Burgess, Maria Castro, Brett Cody, Mariah Cortes, Aleksandr Danilowicz, Karen De La Roca, Christopher DeCrescenzo, Brad Derry, Dariell Diaz, Gueber Docteur, Cierra Donald, Nelson Duque, Dwayne Ely, Tiana Estrada, Derek Falcon, Aritza Federici, Tianna Feliciano, Alasdair Gilbert;

Also, Ashley Glaudin, Lauren Goodrich, Ashton Granado, Wassim Haddad, Kaitlin Hines, Schekina Jean, Destiny Jefferson, Coralie Joseph, Thomas Kudravy, Jonathan Leso, Timothy Leveen, Angela Mariano, Balli Matosko, William McDonald, Tera-je McLennon, Peter Mongillo, Naomi Mulamba, Bethy Napaul, Mimoza Nasufi, Lauren Padua, Audrey Pancak, Kristin Pantelis, Wodgerry Pompee, Estephanie Ponce;

Also, Kassie Poruban, Taylor Reed, Juliana Ricco, Anthony Rivera, Samantha Rivera, Victoria Sajaw, Emily Sanchez, Nelson Santiago, Toni-Gaye Saunders, Haley Schaefer, Lynn Schneider, Jacob Silverman, Tania Spencer, Jillian Stringfellow, Vilma Tomaj, Matthew Tomsheck, Kayla Torres, Anna Velasquez, Kylee Vitka-Lainey, Stephanie Winston, Lauren Wright.

To the Editor:

Once again, the Stratford High Music Department brought the house down multiple times during its Winter Concert on Dec. 9. While the nor’easter raged outside with bone chilling rain and horrific winds, the capacity audience inside Stratford High auditorium was warmed and delighted by the student vocalists and musicians showcased by their dedicated and talented teachers. What a show!

It’s difficult to single out any one performance group as each was incredible. The Bourbon St. quality Jazz Bands, wow! The strings, superb. The Select Choir, the Girls’ and Boys’ A cappella and the larger Concert Choir, each charmed and inspired. The Concert Band, as usual, knocked it out of the park. The combined voices of Wooster Middle School Select Choir, Stratford High Select Choir, and the Stratford Sister Cities Chorus embodied the concept of multigenerational community-school teamwork at its best.

Congratulations to the Stratford High students and teachers for organizing and giving our town an evening of pride in our youth and our school system. Pay attention education budget naysayers; marvelous things are happening in our schools.

Rosemary Martin Hayduk

The recently approved construction manager for the Stratford High School renovation project, Turner Construction, and architect Antinozzi Associates met on Jan. 23 at the school to start to get “a field sense” for how the various options being considered would affect scheduling and the students, according to SHS Renovation Subcommittee Chairman Alan Llewelyn.

Turner was approved as the construction manager (CM) by the Town Council on Jan. 12. During the CM selection process, Turner introduced a sixth option for the building and renovation project on top of the five that Antinozzi had asked the CM candidates to review.

The six options are all variations and extensions of renovating current buildings and adding new construction to the campus.

Part of the considerations at this early stage is whether to recommend closing King Street, which runs between the back of the school and athletics fields, in order to connect buildings that are being planned for both sides of it. A recently completed traffic study of impacts of closing King Street is expected to be explained in detail at the next subcommittee meeting, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 19.

Llewelyn said he expects the discussion of King Street to help the subcommittee focus in on which of the six proposals might be favored by the group.

Former Stratford High football player and Pittsburgh Steeler Ed Bradley is picking the New England Patriots to win this year’s Super Bowl.

One might imagine that former Seattle Seahawk Ed Bradley is proud to see his former team back in the Super Bowl for a second straight season.

You would be mistaken.

Bradley, a standout player at Stratford High School in the 1960s and the first linebacker drafted by the Seattle-based NFL franchise, is supporting the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday.

“I was born and raised in New England. I was in Seattle for one year,” said Bradley.

But if he really had his way, Bradley would sooner see the Pittsburgh Steelers in football’s biggest game. After all, that’s the team where he had most of his professional success. Bradley was a member of the Steelers for four seasons, the last two concluding in Super Bowl championships for a franchise that was once underwhelming and is now synonymous with success.

Bradley did not know much about Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Steelers in 1972. He learned quickly about the Steel City from several of his teammates at Wake Forest University who grew up in western Pennsylvania.

“I had plenty of contacts. I was very blessed to have been picked [by the Steelers] at that time,” he said.

Bradley’s time with the Steelers was certainly memorable, as he saw the “Immaculate Reception” by Franco Harris in 1972 and played on special teams and as a backup linebacker on Pittsburgh teams that won Super Bowls to end the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

While Bradley played quarterback and safety during his Stratford High years, he had always wanted to be a linebacker.

“When I came to Wake, they recruited me as an athlete. I said I’d prefer to play defense. After they saw me at the quarterback position, they agreed,” he said with a laugh.

While quarterbacks get most of the spotlight, Bradley loved the idea of stopping the offense from scoring from behind the line of scrimmage.

“First of all, you get to stand up on two feet, not in a two- or three-point stance. And then you get to seek and destroy,” he said.

Bradley was fascinated by the play of football legends like Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus. “I would watch them whenever they were on TV and read magazine and newspaper [stories] about them. I was drawn to it. It fit my mind-set,” Bradley said. “I wouldn’t want to play any other position.”

As much as he loved his time with the Steelers, he knew his chances of being a starter weren’t great with Jack Hamm and Jack Lambert, future Pro Football Hall of Famers, on the same team. So Steelers management granted Bradley’s request to be made available in the 1976 NFL expansion draft. Lambert was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks and was a team captain in the squad’s inaugural season.

“I really enjoyed the experience in Seattle. We only won two games” that season, Bradley said. Though going from a two-time Super Bowl champion to an expansion team was quite a change.

“It was sort of like I went from the penthouse to the outhouse,” he said.

Bradley concluded his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, playing two seasons in the Bay Area before retiring after the 1978 season.

Bradley later went back to Wake Forest and called Demon Deacons games on the radio for several years. He also worked in the scrap metal and recycling business for 33 years before retiring in 2013. He now lives in Winston-Salem, N.C., not far from his collegiate alma mater.

Bradley certainly respects the Seahawks and how far they’ve come since their arrival in the NFL. He saluted their comeback victory nearly two weeks ago in the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.

“They are an exciting football team. Obviously, they’ve drafted well and they have a good pool of talent. They’re exciting to watch,” he said.

Still, Bradley’s sticking with his New England roots as well as admiring what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have done in being a contender for so many years.

“I respect Seattle and what they’ve done and I like [head coach] Pete Carroll and [quarterback] Russell Wilson, but Belichick and Brady and the New England organization … they’ve been such a stellar franchise for all these years,” he said.

Bradley is also remaining loyal to the American Football Conference, the same conference of his beloved Steelers. Having played most of his career in the AFC, Bradley likes it when teams from that conference win the Super Bowl — except for the Oakland Raiders.

editor@stratfordstar.com

The 2015 Stratford High School football fund-raiser event, with dinner and drinks, door prizes, DJ and dancing, will be on Saturday, May 16, from 6:30-11 p.m., at Christ Episcopal Church. The price for each ticket is $25

Sponsors are being solicited and the opportunities are:

Wall — 2’x 3’ poster with business name or logo will be hung on the wall during the event. Additional exposure includes the image on its own page in the slide show that rolls throughout the night. Also, the image will be added to the Stratford High School Football website for the year. Price is $100.

Table — 8”x11” two sided page of business name or logo in an acrylic stand on one of the dining tables during the event. Additional exposure includes the image on its own page in the slide show that rolls throughout the night. Also, the image will be added to the Stratford High School Football website for the year. Price is $50.

Also, they are taking raffle donations — for product, service, gift certificate, and/or event tickets (i.e. movies, sporting, etc.). It does not have to be local, perhaps the company you work for provides a product or service which they would offer for the benefit.  Food donations also are welcome.

Donations are tax deductible and a letter is provided to those who make any contributions to this event.

For more information, contact Bonnie McIlhoney, 203-257-2981, mcilhoney@optonline.net, or Cheryl Chittem, 203-218-5697, chittem@optonline.net.

The following students were named to the second quarter honor roll at Stratford High School:

First honors

Grade 12 — Gabriela Aguieiras, Anthony Alvarez, Jenna Amoroso, Bertha Barrios, Samantha Belport, Giselle Bonilla, Shaquanna Borodack, Ashley Bowers, Austin Burgess, Brianna Bursey, Kelleigh Cantiello, Zane Carey, Christopher Carroll, Piotr Chaber, Phinehas Cleary, Alexander Colwell, Livingston Cortez, Marissa Dacruz, Christopher DeCrescenzo, Tyler Devellis, Jerry Dinan;

Also, Nathanael Domschine, Joseph Dragone, Jack Erazmus, Derek Falcon, Aritza Federici, Thomas Ferrara, Lauren Goodrich, Tarquinn Granado, Destiny Jefferson, Stephen Jepsen, Jackson Kiernan-Morris, Katherine Krasniewicz, Michael Lapia, Nicole Longo, Emily Lopez, Alex Masi, Michael McClean, Dezmonda’e McKoy, Tera-je McLennon, Kevin Mendoza, Albert Messana, Alyssa Mucherino, Lauren Padua;

Also, Audrey Pancak, Kristin Pantelis, Celina Perez, Wodgerry Pompee, Estephanie Ponce, Laura Quijano Jimenez, Alexis Rader, Kareem Robinson, Victoria Sajaw, Christian Sarmiento, Haley A Schaefer, Matthew Schaefer, Jacob Silverman, Emma Simmons-Wignall, Matthew Tecci, Vilma Tomaj, Matthew Tomsheck, Idalis Torres, Anna Velasquez, Alexis Williams, Autumn Wright.

Grade 11 — Marlene Abouaassi, Julia Barksdale, Martha Barragan, Kristina Bennett, Jackson Bonazzo, David Buonantony, Michelle Buzzanca, Kyle Carmona, Joseph Cox, Elissa Dykes, Jomaris Echevarria, Danielle Evan, Kyle Fasanella, Jakarie Fulton, Mariah Ingram, Jason Kelly;

Also, Sarah Kotsay, Olivia Mastroluca, Joseph McClean, Emily Pappas, Danielle Peterson, Michael Petillo, Teresa Petreycik, William Rooney, Tamara Schriffert, Allana Scudder, Richard Starkey, Jakub Tomaszewski, Victoire Tshitenge, Maria Velasquez.

Grade 10 — Connor L Anderson, Nazea Anderson, Tia Anderson, Ndidi Anekwe, Connor Anstis, Anuoluwapo Atoyebi, Britney Boursiquot, Jordan Chach, Shawn Chambers, Danielle Cisero, Maia Dufane, Thomas Fernandes, Erik Flores, Britnie G Frances, Tristan Frownfelter, Samantha Gangemi, Geovanni Garrison, Zachary Gottlieb, Brooke Haschak, Jessica Homburg, Roula Kouvatas, Kelsey Lepesko, Jean-Paul Lieu;

Also, Caroline Londa, Emily Luciano, Allysa Noccioli, Jenna Noccioli, Tiffany Owen, Angeleen Pingol, Martha Polanco, Anginette Repollet, Meghan Reynolds, Samantha Rivera, Vanessa Rivera, Alexis  Rosado, Molly Ryan, Daniel Schaefer, Katie Schneider, Jeffrey Sharnick, Dejanah Smith, Khalil Sokunle, Colin Townsend, Tyler Verissimo, Marguerite Walsh, Kaya Wells, Michael Yacik, Brady Young.

Grade 9 — Michael August, Caitlin Bacon, Tyler Bailey, Milton Barrera-Garcia,  Steven Bonazzo, Jada Bryan, Ryan Carrano, Jake Chittem, Abigail Colwell, Emma Cranston, Carmela Daponte-Smith, Jeremiah Domschine, Brendan Duffy, Kevan Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Mikhaila Eller, Alexandra Flathers, Zachary Flores, Amanda Gallagher, Kate Gavilanes, Emily Goddard, Ariana Granado, Amanda Haydu, Tyler Heffern;

Also, Ameira Hernandez, Steevenson Jean, Trevor Johnson, Trinite Kayembe, Zachary Kenney, Jordan Kinder, Brianna Lapia, Barry Libowitz, Alexis Mackbach, Gillian Mariconda, Cora Martonak, Raymond McIlhoney, Christian Medina, Shannon Meisel, Philip Mercurio, Isabella Moshier;

Also, Matthew Murray, Kristi Pena, Marley Peterson, John Reed, Jenique Richards, Alicja Rog, Clarissa Rotonto, Gavin Scofield, Emily Shaw, Hannah Shimura, Reilly Simpson, Aoife Smith, Emily Sosik, David Tran, Martina Troncoso, Magda Twardowska, Danny Vega, Daniel Vilarinho, Andrew Visnicky, Joseph Wierzbicki, Jessica Wills, Yasmin Zieneddin.

Second honors

Grade 12 — Yamileth Alvarez,  Tahirah Anderson, Stephanos Baggeas, Emily Bludevich, Kevin Bott, Tyra Breedy, Samuel Breiner, Crisstal Cabrera, Andrea Camargo, Maria Castro, Brett Cody, Halona Colon, Mariah Cortes, Aleksandr Danilowicz, Karen De La Roca, Denise DeJesus, Gueber Docteur, Cierra Donald, Nelson Duque, Cayman Durost, Dwayne Ely, Tiana Estrada, Kelsey Gabris;

Also, Alasdair Gilbert, Ashley Glaudin, Allison Granberg, Wassim Haddad, Kaitlin Hines, Enrique Jaime, Lance Jamison, Schekina Jean, Coralie Joseph, Crystal Kantzas, Timothy Leveen, William McDonald, Rosalina Morales, Bethy Napaul, Ian Oliver, Athanasios Panolis, Kayla Penna;

Also, Kassie Poruban, Taylor Reed, Samantha Rivera, Emily Sanchez, Nelson Santiago, Lynn Schneider, Aurianna Sessa, Carlos Soto, Tania Spencer, Jillian Stringfellow, Kayla Torres, Alana Turner, Kylee Vitka-Lainey, Jake Vitti, Patrick Warren, Emily Winter, Lauren Wright.

Grade 11 — Donia Alkandry, Elmar Barrios, Grace Belport, Timothy Breiner, Daniel Brennan, Joana Brousseau, Gabrielle Camarero, Matthew Canapetti, Jordan Carrion, Geraldine Chavez, Jewls Douge, John Duffy, Shannon Dugan, Jayla Frederick, Gillian Goddard, Mackenzie Gold, Giovanni Gonzalez, Autumn Graham, Christopher Hamilton, Sarah Idarraga, Audray Joseph, Madison Lazaro;

Also, Megan Leonard, Willie McCallister, Gabrielle Olexovitch, McKayla Owen, Sylwia Pajorek, Brianna Pensanti, Alexander Ramos, Stephen Rohaly, Brianna Rotonto, Zohrah Sarpas, Rachel Scott, Chynna Sherrod, Christopher Smith, Kacie Velasquez, Luis Villanueva, Sarah Wright.

Grade 10 — Kirsten Adams, Maher Alsakkaf, Benjamin Andrade, Angel Arias, Mackenzie Bakos, Ross Bodington, Brianna Braham, Amelia Brennan, Umer Butt, Justin Champagne, Nicholas Cody, Olivia Donnelly, Stephen Duncanson, Alvaro Fernandez, Isabella Figueroa, Lia Galeano, Charlotte Haas, Rory Hannon, Caitlin Hoey, Khalifa Karim, Kaitlyn Keegan, Steven Koripsky, Emma Lacourciere, Carley Lubas;

Also, Leanne Lubas, Kamal E Mansour, Rahaf Mansour, Josef Mateo, Olivia Murray, Sam Noccioli, Brandy Okrah, Nathalie Pacheco, Megan Pale, Tatyanna Pettway, Anh Pham, Brandon Rashan, Nicole Richards, Vanessa Russo, Raghad Serri, Maggie Shea, Nathaniel Shields, Kyla Soares, Krystelin Tirado, Brittany Vasquez, Jashua Velazquez-Rodrigues.

Grade 9 — Marah Aljleilati, Mohamad Aljleilati, Heather Bacon, Matthew Barrios, Sai’Ka Belony, Dakota Benson, Robert Bloxsom, Taylor Brady, Helen Calderon, Christopher Carey, Nicholas Cipriani, Rory Cooper, Ryan Cooper, Daniel Cox, Kaylee Davidson, Scott Detuzzi, Belita Dos Santos, Emily Faulkner, Naishia Gray, Molly Hines, Evan Hudenets, Gardison Jean, Amanda Jeffreys;

Also, Anjel Juarez, Britney Levasseur, Brianna Lora, Amanda Lubin, Eric Mackowski, Emily Mucherino, Lauren Nadzam, Kristen Navarro, Julianna Nunez, Chloe Plavcan, Brandon Ramirez, Samantha Ritchie, Bryana Rivera, Emma Sakowicz, Antonio Sciarappa, Jalon Scudder, Zachary Shaham, Chyna Tisdale, Shannon Tripodi, Dream Whitaker.

A renovate-as-new plan for Stratford High School is the favored plan of the Board of Education.

The possible addition of a Shakespearian-style theater, however, will need more discussion.

The Board of Education voted on Monday night to recommend its preferred plan to renovate Stratford High School. The option includes two separate three-story buildings and the renovation of the school gymnasium, among other options. The renovate-as-new plan would entitle the district to the most state reimbursement dollars. The $102-million project would cost the district only about $62 million. The proposal does not call for the closure of King Street, something that Jim Feehan was advocating due to safety concerns. Feehan was the only member to vote against the renovation plan, and it was solely because it did not call for the closure of King Street.

The proposal will be given to the SHS building committee.

However, the board voted to defer the option of adding a larger sized theater, voting 4-3 to have it sent back to the board’s plant and planning committee for further discussion.

Board member Len Petrucelli questioned the timing of the theater option, given that the Town Council is still mulling the future for the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre on Elm Street. The theater, which opened in 1955, has been the subject of great debate among residents, as some want to tear it down while others would like to see it renovated and reopened.

“The timing of this is very poor; I’m sure we all realize that,” Petrucelli said. “What is the purpose of this? Why can’t we just renovate the auditorium? Why are we getting involved with this type of theater with all that’s going on in town with Shakespeare?

“It just seems to me like a set-up,” Petrucelli added, saying he doesn’t want students being used “as pawns.”

Vice Chairman Robert Chaloux said the idea is interesting in that it would add to the Stratford High curriculum and give more opportunities to students in the arts. It would also expand the school’s career path and keep students from going to magnet schools.

“We are competing in various towns … in retaining some of our students and offering them the same programs they may have in a magnet school,” Chaloux said.

Board Chairman Andrea Veilleux said the Board of Education Chairman’s Committee appreciated being offered the option, mentioning that some students are going elsewhere.   

Veilleux said on Tuesday that Petrucelli’s comments were “political posturing when this [board meeting] was not a political event.” Petrucelli is the Stratford Democratic Town Committee chairman. She added that Petrucelli does have the right to ask questions as a school board member.

Board member Chris Barnaby also said the idea of a theater option was being politicized by Petrucelli.

“The Shakespeare [Theatre] issue existed long before the Stratford High School issue ever started. You’re putting politics into something that should be about children,” Barnaby said, noting that the theater would allow the school to take advantage of reimbursements and create something “world-renowned.”

Republican Town Committee Chairman Lou DeCilio said Wednesday that it was “somewhat shocking” that Petrucelli “would try to deprive the students of Stratford High School of a state-of-the-art theater by instilling politics.” He added that Petrucelli should “leave his party hat at home” when discussing school renovations.

To the Editor

I find it interesting that certain members of the Board of Education, and the chairman of the Republican Party, Lou DeCilio, accuse me of being “political” for simply asking the question, “where did the $7 million revised option for the Stratford High School Theater/auditorium come from?” Everyone there was stunned to find out that it was NOT a request from the Board of Education and that no one from the school administration knew anything about it until it was presented.

Should raise a BIG red flag to everyone, no? During this entire process the school administration was consulted on all options, but not this one! So don’t I have the right, in fact an obligation, to question the timing of this $7 million add on, especially when no one can tell us where this idea came from? I think so. I want the best for every child in our school district, and I was elected to try and deliver that.

It is budget time, and I would think that our Board Chair Veileux would focus her energy on the budget for the upcoming school year, which affects more than 7,400 students, rather than try to push through a 900-seat theater. The original plan called for a state of the art 500-seat auditorium.We all have our priories. I might also add that the vote to table this was two Democrats AND two Republicans. There were concerns and questions other than mine.

Yes, in addition to being a member of the Board of Education,  I am also the Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, which gives the opportunity for certain individuals to attack and criticize when things don’t go their way. After all, the majority in charge has had a free ride for a number of years. As far as wearing a party hat goes, as stated by Lou DeCilio, he wears his into Town Hall every day.

Len Petruccelli

Board of Education member

Chairman,

Democratic Town Committee

Clarence Zachery, chief operating officer for Stratford Schools, talks about a recommended proposal to renovate Stratford High School.

The committee handling the possible renovation of Stratford High School received the blessing it needs to seek a higher grant total for a renovation project.

The Town Council voted Monday to accept the recommendation of the council’s building needs committee to go with a renovate-as-new option for the high school renovation plan. The resolution will also allow the committee to apply for a change in the school construction grant amount through a special legislation request.

The option, which was recommended last month by the Board of Education, is for a project to renovate the two buildings. The project, estimated to cost about $102.3 million, would increase average classroom size to 850 feet, add two new chemistry labs, and make the school better prepared for the 21st Century, according to presenters from the district, Antinozzi Associates and CREC Construction Services. The new school will not call for the closure of King Street.

The town will have to increase the bonding for the project by about $5.9 million. The project already has $56.1 million in bonding that was approved in May 2011. While the full price is more than $102 million, Stratford will be responsible for only $62 million.

Stratford Schools Chief Operating Officer Clarence Zachery said the chosen renovation option is not final and can be adjusted before a final plan is approved. The option chosen does not call for the concept Shakespeare-style theater, which some Board of Ed members felt was good to consider for performing arts programs at Stratford High.

Walter Rimkunas, right, speaks to the Stratford Town Council during Monday’s public forum.

During Monday’s Town Council public forum, several residents said the council should consider holding a referendum vote on the possible sale of the Stratford Water Pollution Control Authority. Mayor John Harkins is pushing for the WPCA to join the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority.

“You should not have the ability to vote on that. It should go for a public referendum,” said Walter Rimkunas, a regular speaker. Rimkunas’s comments were greeted by loud applause from those in the audience.

Prior to Rimkunas’s remarks, Town Council Chairman Joe Kubic confronted Rimkunas about his statements during previous public forums, saying Rimkunas had been “mean” and “rude” to council members. Several audience members booed Kubic and said the chairman was denying Rimkunas a right to speak freely.

Stratford High School Drama Society’s presentation of Thoroughly Modern Millie will be held in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 28, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, at $10, call 203-380-6777, ext. 1234 or visit stratfordhigh.stratfordk12.org/

Winner of 6 TONY Awards including Best Musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan, Thorough Modern Millie is a high-spirited musical romp that will have all of its audiences dancing the Charleston. Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, the musical adaptation took Broadway by storm in 2002 and was the most awarded new show on Broadway. Thoroughly Modern Millie is considered a “contemporary classic musical” and relives the excitement of the Jazz Age in New York City. It’s a New York full of jazz and intrigue – a time when “moderns” were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love.

Set in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Millie Dillmount who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Her grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes completely awry. The owner of the dingy hotel where she stays kidnaps young girls to sell to the Far East; her wealthy boss is slow in proposing marriage; and the man she actually falls in love with doesn’t have a dime to his name – or so he tells her.

Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment! Don’t miss your chance to see this production presented by The Stratford High School Drama Society.

“Last year, Stratford High produced Shrek the Musical. That show catered to children and to those fans of the movie. When I chose Millie, I wanted a show that included a more traditional musical score and dances like those of the classic musicals of the past. Upon further inspection of musical score, it turned out that Jeanine Tesori composed music for both shows. Two totally different soundtracks, but each one, well-loved by audiences everywhere.”

The cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie includes Audrey Pancak (Millie Dillmount); Chris DeCrescenzo (Jimmy Smith); Emily Lopez (Ruth); Autumn Wright (Gloria); Briana Rotonto (Rita); Samantha Rivera (Alice); Paige Hoydick (Ethel Peas); Maggie Adams (Cora); Olivia Murray (Lucille); Julia Barksdale (Mrs. Meers); Kelsey Lepesko (Miss Dorothy Brown); Justin Gendron (Ching Ho); Chris Smith (Bun Foo); Maggie Walsh (Miss Flannery); Austin Bult (Mr. Trevor Graydon); Michael Holt (Officer); Chynna Sherrod (Muzzy Van Hossmere); Zach Kenney (George Gershwin); Dakota Benson (Dorothy Parker); Anthony Silva De Sousa (Rodney); Zach Kenney, Sam Noccioli, Anthony Silva De Sousa, and Dan Vilarinho (Muzzy’s Boys); Maia Dufane (Daphne); and Jason Peoples-Blackwell (Dexter).

The backstage crew includes Jenna Amoroso (wing manager); Zach Dillon (wing manager) Bree Bursey (stage manager). The production is produced and directed Jeff Leinen. Costuming is by Susan Barksdale and Nancy Zychek, props by Lisa Holt, and set design by Mike Rich.

Thoroughly Modern Millie leads Chris Decrescenzo (Jimmy Smith) and Audrey Pancak (Millie Dillmount) rehearse their lines.

Director Jeff Leinen blocks out one of the shows scenes with the cast.

Cast members of Thoroughly Modern Millie rehearse one of the show’s dance numbers.

Barnes & Noble, the nation’s leading retail bookseller and the leading retailer of content, digital media, and educational products, announced that Janet Hooton-Racine from Stratford High School has been named the local winner of the Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest. Hooton-Racine was chosen from 125 entries at the Barnes & Noble in Milford.

Hooton-Racine was nominated by Zane Carey. Students were invited to nominate their favorite teacher by writing essays, poems, or thank-you letters that explain how their teacher has influenced their life and reveal why they appreciate and admire him or her. Entries were judged on the compelling nature of the teacher’s qualities, the sincerity of the student’s appreciation, and the quality of expression and writing.

Hooton-Racine will be recognized at an event at the Milford Barnes & Noble where she will receive a special award acknowledging her achievement, and additional recognition and praise from the community. Zane, who wrote the winning essay, poem, or thank-you letter, will receive a certificate of recognition and will be honored at the Milford store during a ceremony for the winning teacher on Friday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. The school will host a book fair fund-raiser that evening and a portion of sales will be donated to its media center and music departments. Music students will perform at 7 p.m.

Hooton-Racine will now be entered into the regional competition where five winners will be chosen. Each regional winner will receive a $500 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. From the pool of five regional winners, Barnes & Noble will name one teacher the Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year. The winning teacher will receive $5,000 and the title of Teacher of the Year. The winner will be recognized at a special community celebration at a local Barnes & Noble store. The winning teacher’s school will receive $5,000 as well.

The Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest provides students with the opportunity to tell their communities how much they appreciate their teachers. Students enrolled in middle or high schools in the United States are eligible to participate; and only educators employed by private or public elementary, middle, or high schools are eligible to be nominated. Awards include cash prizes for the teachers and schools, and more.

More details on the contest rules may be found at BN.COM/myfavoriteteacher

The following students were named to the third quarter honor roll at Stratford High School:

First honors

Grade 12 — Shaquanna Borodack, Ashley Bowers, Austin Burgess, Brianna Bursey, Zane Carey, Christopher Carroll, Phinehas Cleary, Alexander Colwell, Marissa Dacruz, Aleksandr Danilowicz, Karen De La Roca, Tyler Devellis, Jerry Dinan, Nathanael Domschine, Derek Falcon, Nicholas Fasnakis;

Also, Thomas Ferrara, Alasdair Gilbert, Tarquinn Granado, Wassim Haddad, Schekina Jean, Stephen Jepsen, Katherine Krasniewicz, Emily Lopez, Alex Masi, Michael McClean, Dezmonda’e McKoy, Tera-je McLennon, Kevin Mendoza, Albert Messana, Mimoza Nasufi, Kristin Pantelis;

Also, Jason Peoples-Blackwell, Laura Quijano Jimenez, Alexis Rader, Kareem Robinson, Christian Sarmiento, Haley Schaefer, Matthew Schaefer, Tania Spencer, Matthew Tecci, Vilma Tomaj, Idalis Torres, Kayla Torres, Alexis Williams, Emily Winter, Autumn Wright.

Grade 11 — Marlene Abouaassi, Julia Barksdale, Martha Barragan, Kristina Bennett, Jackson Bonazzo, Timothy Breiner, Daniel Brennan, David Buonantony, Michelle Buzzanca, Joseph Cox, Shannon Dugan, Elissa Dykes, Kyle Fasanella, Jayla Frederick, Jakarie Fulton, Jason Kelly, Helen Langston, Olivia Mastroluca, Joseph McClean;

Also, Emily Pappas, Brianna Pensanti, Danielle Peterson, Michael Petillo, Teresa Petreycik, Stephen Rohaly, William Rooney, Tamara Schriffert, Allana Scudder, Richard Starkey, Jakub Tomaszewski, Victoire Tshitenge, Nalyahnie Valentin, Maria Velasquez.

Grade 10 — Connor Anderson, Tia Anderson, Ndidi Anekwe, Connor Anstis, Ross Bodington, Britney Boursiquot, Brianna Braham, Shaiann Bridges Potts, Jordan Chach, Shawn Chambers, Danielle Cisero, Nicholas Cody, Maia Dufane, Alvaro Fernandez, Erik Flores, Britnie Frances, Tristan Frownfelter, Samantha Gangemi, Geovanni Garrison, Zachary Gottlieb, Charlotte Haas;

Also, Brooke Haschak, Caitlin Hoey, Roula Kouvatas, Emma Lacourciere, Kelsey Lepesko, Jean-Paul Lieu, Caroline Londa, Leanne Lubas, Emily Luciano, Tiffany Mendenhall, Allysa Noccioli, Jenna Noccioli, Sam Noccioli, Brandy Okrah, Tiffany Owen, Anh Pham, Angeleen Pingol, Martha Polanco, Anginette Repollet;

Also, Meghan Reynolds, Nicole Richards, Samantha Rivera, Vanessa Rivera, Alexis Rosado, Vanessa Russo, Molly Ryan, Sabrina Saad, Daniel Schaefer, Katie Schneider, Jeffrey Sharnick, Dejanah Smith, Kyla Soares, Khalil Sokunle, Taisha St Victor, Krystelin Tirado, Colin Townsend, Marguerite Walsh, Kaya Wells, Brady Young.

Grade 9 — Michael August, Caitlin Bacon, Heather Bacon, Tyler Bailey, Samia Bajonc, Matthew Barrios, Robert Bloxsom, Steven Bonazzo, Jada Bryan, Helen Calderon, Jake A Chittem, Abigail Colwell, Ryan Cooper, Emma Cranston, Carmela Daponte-Smith, Jeremiah Domschine, Kevan Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Mikhaila Eller;

Also, Emily Faulkner, Alexandra Flathers, Zachary Flores, Amanda Gallagher, Kate Gavilanes, Emily Goddard, Ariana Granado, Amanda Haydu, Ameira Hernandez, Steevenson Jean, Trevor Johnson, Trinite Kayembe, Zachary Kenney, Jordan Kinder, Brianna Lapia, Barry Libowitz, Brianna Lora, Alexis Mackbach, Eric Mackowski;

Also, Raymond McIlhoney, Christian Medina, Shannon Meisel, Isabella Moshier, Emily Mucherino, Kristen Navarro, Julianna Nunez, Kristi Pena, Marley Peterson, Jenique Richards, Alicja Rog, Clarissa Rotonto, Gavin Scofield, Emily Shaw, Hannah Shimura, Aoife Smith, Jaylin Terry, Adriana Tomaj, David Tran, Shannon Tripodi, Martina Troncoso, Magda Twardowska, Danny Vega, Daniel Vilarinho, Dream Whitaker, Joseph Wierzbicki, Jessica Wills, Ayesha Zahrah, Yasmin Zieneddin.

Second honors

Grade 12 — Anthony Alvarez, Yamileth Alvarez, Jenna Amoroso, Emily Bludevich, Tyra Breedy, Samuel Breiner, Crisstal Cabrera, Danielle Caselli, Maria Castro, Piotr Chaber, Livingston Cortez, Christopher DeCrescenzo, Gueber Docteur, Cierra Donald, Joseph Dragone, Nelson Duque, Dwayne Ely, Jack Erazmus, Anthony Fasanella, Aritza Federici;

Also, Lauren Goodrich, Allison Granberg, Lance Jamison, Destiny Jefferson, Michael Lapia, Anthony Larregui, Jonathan Leso, Alvin Mahfood, Balli Matosko, Rosalina Morales, Alyssa Mucherino, Naomi Mulamba, Bethy Napaul, Lauren Padua, Audrey Pancak, Kayla Penna, Wodgerry Pompee;

Also, Estephanie Ponce, Kassie Poruban, Teyana Powell, Samantha Rivera, Natalia Roman, Victoria Sajaw, Emily Sanchez, Toni-Gaye Saunders, Lynn Schneider, Zachary Scott, Aurianna Sessa, Carlos Soto, Jillian Stringfellow, Alana Turner, Anna M Velasquez, Stephanie Winston, Raiquonn Wong, Lauren Wright.

Grade 11 — Donia Alkandry, Toneija Barnes, Elmar Barrios, Grace Belport, Helen Branyan, Jonathan Brooks, Joana Brousseau, Gabrielle Camarero, Kyle Carmona, Ian Carrano, Jordan Carrion, Brooke Carter, John Cox, Daniel DeCilio, Jewls Douge, John Duffy, Jomaris Echevarria, Danielle Evan, Chantal Fraser, Mackenzee George, Nathan Glick, Gillian Goddard, Mackenzie Gold;

Also, Giovanni Gonzalez, Katherine Goodrich, Sarah Idarraga, Audray Joseph, Sarah Kotsay, Megan Leonard, Willie McCallister, Matthew Monroe, Hamit Nasufi, Gabrielle Olexovitch, McKayla Owen, Sylwia Pajorek, Alexander Ramos, Brianna Rotonto, Rachel Scott, Anthony Silva de Sousa, Genesis Torres, Michael Turzer, Jennifer Vargas, Kacie Velasquez.

Grade 10 — Kirsten Adams, Maher Alsakkaf, Benjamin Andrade, Anuoluwapo Atoyebi, Mackenzie Bakos, Amelia Brennan, Umer Butt, Ashley Carcamo-Martinez, Jeremy Corpuz, Emanuel Cruz, Kathryn Cullen, Olivia Donnelly, James Dotterman, Stephen Duncanson, Thomas Fernandes, Christian Ferrara, Ryan Gerrity, Jessica Homburg, Paige Hoydick, Khalifa Karim, Kaitlyn Keegan, Steven Koripsky, Daija Lockley;

Also, Carley Lubas, Peter Luong, Rahaf Mansour, Erique McCalla, Rebecca McMahon, Olivia Murray, Nathalie Pacheco, Amanda Pale, Megan Pale, Tatyanna Pettway, Terry Ramalho, Brandon Rashan, Ashley Rodriguez, Rayanne Santos, Christopher Scott-Gray, Raghad Serri, Maggie Shea, Nathaniel Shields, Daire Smith, Steven Surmaczewicz, Zachary Toth, Moise Tshitenge, Brittany Vasquez, Jashua Velazquez-Rodrigues, Robert Vena, Tyler Verissimo, Emily Wilson, Michael Yacik.

Grade 9 — Marah Aljleilati, Mohamad Aljleilati, Samantha Bobko, Taylor Brady, Travon Burnett, Christian Camacho, Edwin Camille, Ryan Carrano, Nicholas Cipriani, Rory Cooper, Daniel Cox, Payton Damato, William Das, Scott Detuzzi, Brendan Duffy, Diane Ervil, Natanael Garcia, Naishia Gray, Tyler Heffern, Molly Hines, Gardison Jean, Amanda Jeffreys;

Also, Gillian Mariconda, Cora Martonak, Matthew Murray, Kerrigan Murtha, Lauren Nadzam, Jeremy Oliveras, Nichaja Patterson, Kaitlyn Priestley-O’Brien, Brandon Ramirez, John Reed, Jovanny Riley, Samantha Ritchie, Bryana Rivera, Emma Sakowicz, Antonio Sciarappa, Reilly Simpson, Chyna Tisdale, Andrew Visnicky, Katherine Weller.

Students at Bunnell High School recently took a glimpse into their future by attending a Financial Reality Fair. On April 28, Stratford High School students also will attend another reality fair event. Both events are sponsored by Sikorsky Credit Union, a financial institution that has taken a leadership role in promoting financial literacy to high school students. This is the seventh straight year the Credit Union has held these fairs in the Stratford community.

The Financial Reality Fair gives students the opportunity to experience “real-life” finances based on their chosen profession. During the Reality Fair, students visit expense tables to spend their “hard earned money” on real-life choices, such as housing, transportation, food, and utilities. They are tempted along the way with nonessential expenses including pet ownership, electronics, concert tickets and vacations. Students also step up to spin the “Wheel of Reality,” which increased or decreased their cash flow and simulated unexpected events and expenses that occur in day-to-day life.

After they visit all of the expense tables, the students balance their budgets to see if they made the right choices to successfully live on their own. Finally, students meet with volunteer financial counselors to review how well they managed their budget. In the end, students walk away with an awareness of the financial challenges they will face and the experience of maintaining a lifestyle based on a budget.

“I have seen what happens when people aren’t prepared for their financial present or future,’ said Mike D’Orlando, the operations manager of Sikorsky Credit Union who participated in this event as a financial counselor. ‘This event give young people something to think about many years before they might experience it, and hopefully they will be ready when that time comes.” Diane Christiano, coordinator, Career & Technology Education in Stratford added her own insight. “It is not just about money, it’s about making good choices and decisions in one’s life. For example, students were amazed about the impact that credit has on their life as a whole.”

Along with Sikorsky Credit Union staff, employees from Big Y and Stratford Library volunteered time at the events. In addition to these two high schools, Sikorsky Credit Union is holding Financial Reality Fairs at Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton High School in the coming weeks, and has already sponsored events at Henry Abbott Tech in Danbury and Oxford High School.

Sikorsky CU employee Nicole Craw spun the “Wheel of Reality,” at last year’s Financial Reality Fair held at Bunnell High School.

Brianna Bursey, a senior from Stratford High School, has been awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in History award for outstanding work in American history and overall academic character.

Brianna was awarded an Excellence in History Bronze medal and Certificate by the Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mary Rozsa, the chairman of the American History awards, said that this young woman represents our country’s future leaders. She noted that the DAR promotes American History throughout the year and encourages everyone to be more aware of their heritage.

The DAR perpetuates the memory and spirit of the men and women who won American independence. Any woman over 18 who can prove an ancestor served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For more information on the DAR visit sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org.

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On Wednesday, June 3, in a gymnasium filled with parents, friends, family, staff members, and administration, 21 young men and women from Bunnell and Stratford High Schools took the first big step in their professional careers. These graduates from the Health & Medical Careers Pathway program officially met the requirements for certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, and dental assistant as prescribed by the state of Connecticut.

Over the past several months, students completed intensive training and clinical internships at local healthcare facilities including Lord Chamberlain, Griffin Hospital, Trumbull Smiles, and the private practice of Dr. Dennis Williams to prepare for the rigorous certification exams.

All students in the program will be continuing their education after high school at colleges such as UConn, Quinnipiac University, Western CT State University, Sacred Heart University, The College of New Rochelle, Gateway Community College, etc.

Valedictorian of the class, Daphney Jean-Pierre, spoke of how the three year pathway program ignited a passion in her for healthcare and that her time spent completing her clinical hours at Lord Chamberlain prepared her for both the positive and negative aspects of nursing. Instructor Sharon Foran shared this sentiment with her graduating students, “On the first day of your sophomore year I told you — do not go into health care for the money, it has to be your passion. I hope in the last three years it has become your passion and you wake up every day eager to learn for yourself and care for others.” These young adults are clearly eager to learn and on their way to successful careers in healthcare.

Back row: Athanasios Panolis, Sarah Doce, Juliana Ricco, Emma Simmons-Wignall, Kaitlin Hines, Bethy Napaul, Kadian Morgan, Destiny Jefferson, Jahliah Green, Christelle Exile. Front row: Celina Perez, Alyssa Mucherino, Emily Sanchez, Bianca Cubillos, Jillian Stringfellow, Andrea Camargo, Bertha Barrios, Kelliegh Cantiello, Daphney Jean-Pierre, Rebecca Jean-Pierre.

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To the Editor:

On behalf of the Stratford High School 2015 Post Prom Committee and of course all of the Post Prom student attendees, I would like to thank our wonderful Stratford businesses for your generous contributions. Once again your delicious and creative food, gift cards and financial assistance made our festive May event a huge success! Over the years we have been very grateful to the following for their delectable bounty and support:

Cutspring Deli, Shoprite, Lordship Pizza, Salerno’s, Pickle Barrel, Roly Poly, Icing on the Cake, Lisa’s Takeout, Hannah’s Kitchen, Main Wah, Acapulco’s, Lucy D’s, The Sitting Duck, Vazzy’s Stratford, Jerry’s Pizza, Duchess Diner, Blue Sky Diner, Krissy’s Korner, Danny’s Drive In, Paradise Pizza, Ninety-Nine, The Stratford High School Red Devil Booster Club, Stratford Recreation Department, Stratford Academy PTSA, Gaetano’s, Dileziso’s, Marnick’s, Windmill Tavern, Panda House, Big Y, Great Wall, Stanziale’s, BJ’s, Biagio’s, Bella Napoli, Juliano’s, Jake’s Way Back Burger, and Rita’s.

We would also like to thank our Stratford High School families who volunteer hours and hours of hard work and artistic genius to making the evening such a triumph! Our special thanks goes to Sandy Sarmiento who has chaired this committee for thirteen years!

Thank you for always being there for our children of Stratford!

Cindy Belport

SHS Post Prom Committee member

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