A clinical school counselor at Hall High School was honored with the ‘Build No Fences’ Award and the George C. Hastings Award was presented at the 37th ‘Breakfast on the Bridge’ Wednesday morning at West Hartford Town Hall.

By Ronni Newton

The annual Breakfast on the Bridge is a time-honored tradition in West Hartford – now in its 37th year – held each September just after the start of the new school year as a celebration of the work the Bridge Family Center does in support of the town’s families and children, and the opportunity to honor members of the community for their impact.

“Everyone in this room is part of helping us achieve our mission,” said Karen List, a former superintendent of West Hartford Public Schools who now serves as vice president of the Bridge Family Center’s Board of Directors, as she welcomed the crowd in attendance that included Bridge staff and board members, educators, administrators, elected officials, members of the West Hartford Police Department’s Community Relations Division, and other town leaders.

“The Bridge Breakfast celebrates and recognizes the importance of working together,” said Executive Director Margaret Hann. Traditionally, it’s also the moment when a member of the community is surprised with the coveted Build No Fences Award. This year, a completely shocked Katie Bond, clinical school counselor at Hall High School, was overcome with emotion as her name was announced as this year’s winner of the award that recognizes true collaboration.

Before the surprise announcement of the Build No Fences Award, the 2025 breakfast also included the honoring of Tammy Exum with the George C. Hastings Award. Named for one of the Bridge Family Center’s founding fathers, Hann noted that Hastings “was an advocate for those who struggled and needed a guiding hand. He was a voice for the voiceless who listened with an emphatic ear and believed in the resilience of the children and families he supported.” Hastings was also driven to achieve justice and do the “right thing,” even if it meant overcoming challenges or was inconvenient or uncomfortable.

Hann said that Exum is “the voice for the voices and an advocate beyond measure.”

Exum, a Democratic state Representative since 2019 in the 19th District (West Hartford and Avon), holds several leadership positions in the State House, including Deputy Majority Leader, and Hann noted that during the 2022 session she “helped champion and co-author transformative legislation, HB 5001, An Act Concerning Children’s Mental Health.” Exum is also a strong supporter of the disability community, Hann said, introducing successful legislation to expand workforce opportunities, and she “prides herself on listening and being responsive to the concerns of everyone in our communities.”

She is the Bridge’s “guardian angel,” Hann added, and not only is the first to reach out if assistance is needed, but “moves mountains” and never gives up being a fearless advocate.

Exum expressed her thanks for the award, and said when she moved to West Hartford, the Bridge helped foster many of the first relationships she formed – and many of those longtime friends and neighbors attended Wednesday’s breakfast to support her. Another long-standing tradition is that before the awards are given out all attendees at the breakfast introduce themselves, and by then end nearly everyone in the room declared themselves a “friend of Tammy.”

Exum said attended playgroups at Charter Oak and Smith, the Bridge’s Parent Leadership Training Institute which was a “phenomenal, transformative program,” and then went on to run for the Board of Education where she gained an even greater understanding of how the Bridge supports children and families in crisis. That experience has helped her in the legislature, where she’s been able have a broader understanding of the behavioral health crisis impacting children and use her role to make an impact.

“The Bridge has been a place where children who often do not have any other place to turn may spend some time where they’re nurtured, where they have counseling services, but there’s also a place for kids like teenagers … so that there are alternatives to getting in trouble,” she said, praising the teen center. Giving support, through advocacy and voice, time, and money, has been a true honor, Exum said.

“They’re literally ‘bridging’ us, the community, to the resources and needs that we have,” said Exum. She’s experienced it on a personal level, and said receiving the award “is really a full-circle moment.”

Doreen Tarascio, director of Development and Communications for the Bridge, had the honor of announcing the Build No Fences Award recipient, and reading aloud some of the comments she had received from Bond’s colleagues.

“Upon learning who was receiving the award, each person had the same reaction – the Bridge had chosen an outstanding individual who works tirelessly to ensure our community is vital and worth belonging to,” Tarascio said.

Before moving to Hall where she is a counselor for freshmen, Bond worked at King Philip Middle School for several years. “Whether it is leading student leadership groups, helping students learn how to manage their anxiety, leading restorative circles, or partnering with our community partners to provide a caregiver education program, Katie is a natural connector who initiates programs and supports to improve the lives of every student and family she touches,” said KP Principal Joy Wright, who added that she is one of the “most hopeful” people she knows and collaborates for the benefit of all. “She is upbeat, positive, solution-focused, and has a work ethic that people envy” as she clears paths for students to “be their best selves in and out of the classroom.”

Bristow Principal Chad Ellis said Bond is able to successfully “bridge the gap between empathy and accountability” to meet students where they are and help them use the tools needed to grow.

“The Build No Fences Award honors individuals who break down barriers and create inclusive, supportive communities for you people. I can’t think of a more perfect way to describe Katie Bond,” said Hall Principal Sarah Isaacs. Although Bond just began her role at Hall as a counselor for ninth graders this fall, Isaacs said it was immediately clear that she “is deeply committed to supporting all students – both through her direct work with individuals and by considering the broader impact of student support programming.”

Bond is also a member of the West Hartford Prevention Council, attends Juvenile Review Board hearings, and attends after school community events.

The Youth and Family Services team described Bond as a “fantastic counselor and an incredible teammate,” Tarascio said, deeply committed to supporting students and colleagues. “She uses a strength-based approach in her work, consistently recognizing and fostering the unique potential within each student. Her composure and grace under pressure are truly commendable, particularly when navigating complex situations.”

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