The semi-annual awards ceremony includes honors for academics, athletics, leadership, and outstanding communications.

Submitted by West Hartford Public Schools

The West Hartford Board of Education held its semi-annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at King Philip Middle School, recognizing students and educators for academic and athletic achievements as well as excellence in leadership and communications.

The following awards were presented:

Academics

National Merit Semifinalist:  About 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQY), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.  The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.  The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.  Congratulations to Conard and Hall High School students Thomas Davis, Alec Ferguson-Hull, Sophia Glagovich, Mikayla Gordon-Wexler, and Jasmine Kunnummel for being named semifinalists in the competition.

Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship:  The College Board recognizes students whose High Selection Index places them among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who took the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in the fall of 2013.  The following Conard and Hall High School students have qualified for this award: Andrea Barrows, Diane Berlinsky, Helen Chavey, Elodie Currier, Raymond Fagan, Madison Gaetano, Leah Goldman, Jacob Graber-Lipperman, Kelsey Hammond, Nickolas Hartman, Tanner Hoelzel, Isabella Lefante, Andrei Lioutikov, Miranda Litke, Caroline Monnes, Grant O’Connor, Isaac Oda-Bayliss, Serena Phu, Samuel Prescott, Katherine Riedling, Kaitlin Rogers, Patricia Sanchez-Gonzales, and Jackson Zinn-Rowthorn.

National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist:  This program is a privately financed academic competition.  The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the Semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program for the Class of 2015.  Conard student Huda Samakaab is one of 1,600 students nationally to be designated as a semifinalist.  More than 160,000 high school juniors from throughout the United States requested consideration in the 2015 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2013 PSAT examination.  To advance to the finalist level, semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed by the principal, write an essay, show involvement in school and community activities and demonstrate leadership abilities.  Congratulations also to Hall student Kayla Staley for being named an Outstanding Participant (one of 3,100 students nationally) in the competition.

AP Scholar Award:  This award is given to those students who have completed 3 or more AP exams with grades 3 or higher.  The following Conard and Hall High School students that have qualified for the AP Scholar Award: Antonia Alquist, Ryan Bell, Jacob Cantor, Brendan Dakin, Catherine Falvey, Timothy Fisher, Jacob Fischman, George Fiske, Julia Fuller, Sydney Gellerman, Emma Gibson, Julia Gibson, Sophia Glagovich, Leah Goldman, Stephanie Gomez, Christina Green, Mark Guzick, Benjamin Hadra, Gillian Hixson, Margaret Jamin, Kyle Jeter, Martin Kaehrle, Mohammad Khan, Elizabeth Lavelle, Hannah Leyland, Thomas Link, Miranda Litke, Sonia Livingston, Natalie Lynch, Mary Majerus-Collins, John Martin, Spencer Maslin, Brittany McCabe, Thomas McManus, Akriti Mishra, Jacob Mobley, Abhimanyu Natarajan, Jeffny Pally, Jacqueline Palermo, Rebecca Palma, Remony Perlman, Anthony Poon, Kayla Reuben, Kaitlin Rogers, Apoorva Sajan, Huda Samakaab, Kyle Schaff, Anna Schone, Viktor Shcheglov, Madison Soucy, Marina Tinone, David Van Doren, Lucy Walker, Daniel Walsh, Sophie Wheeler, Laura Windhorst, William Wright, and Maria Zugravu

AP Scholar with Honor:  This award is given to students who earn an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades 3 or higher on 4 or more AP Exams.  The following  Conard and Hall High School students have qualified for this award:  Michael Boni, Samantha Cohen, Taylor Coursey, Olivia Di Poi, Madison Gaetano, John Haverty, Nathaniel Jeremiah, Jasmine Kunnummel, Isabella Lefante, Andrei Lioutikov, Pavlo Lyalyutskyy, Catalina Michea, Kathryn Novak, Kelly O’Donovan, Serena Phu, Elizabeth Salzman-Fiske, Yelena Samofalova, Inga Smith, Jody Therieault, Rachel Yousman and Jackson Zinn-Rowthorn

AP Scholar with Distinction:  This award is granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on 5 or more exams.  The following Conard and Hall High School students have qualified for this award:  Diane Berlinsky, Molly Bugos, George Carney, Helen Chavey, Ryan Cudemus-Brunoli, Elodie Currier, Ly Dang, Thomas Davis, Christopher DiPietro, Liam Evans, Alec Ferguson-Hull, Andrew Festa, Alyssa Freiman, Kevin Gates, Mikayla Gordon-Wexler, Jacob Graber-Lipperman, Kelsey Hammond, Nickolas Hartman, Jessica Hendsey, Tanner Hoelzel, Miriam Katz, Shayla McKeown, Caroline Monnes, Isaac Oda-Bayliss, Samuel Prescott, Katherine Riedling, and Danielle Schuman

The 2015 UCONN MLK Day:  Congratulations to Hall student Hope Raney for being selected as the First Place winner of the University of Connecticut Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest.  The theme of this year’s celebration was “Breaking the Silence” of injustice.  Specifically, how can young leaders work to end apathy and help promote greater involvement and engagement amongst their peers to realize the “Dream”?  Please join with me in congratulating Hope. 

Mathematical Association of America:  The American Mathematics Competition Grade 8 (AMC 8) is a 25- question, 40-minute exam.  The content of the exam focuses on middle school mathematics, and it is designed to assess the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.  Many problems are intended to challenge students by offering problem-solving experiences beyond those provided in most middle school mathematics classes.

By virtue of their scores, the following students have earned Gold Medal status from the Mathematical Association of America:  from Bristow Middle School, Ryan Howe, from KP Middle, Matthew Thomas, from Sedgwick Middle School, Xavier Blackwell-Lipkind and Colin Savage.  All these students earned the highest scores at their schools.

Instructables.com:  Hall Digital Electronics and Robotics student Noah Del Coro independently continued working on his final project for Mr. Michael Wilkosz’s class over the summer.  He submitted his project, a DIY fingerprint scanning garage door opener, in two contests sponsored by Instructables.com.  Noah’s project was awarded First Place in both contests, winning him over $9,000 in electronics hardware and equipment.  Congratulations Noah.

West Hartford Fire Department and West Hartford Community Television:  Hall Digital Media and Video Production students submitted three videos to the West Hartford Fire Department’s candle safety public service announcement contest.  A total of three winners were to be selected in the categories of Judge’s Choice Middle School Level, Judges Choice High School Level, and People’s Choice in Fire Prevention Week voting.  Hall High School students won top place in two of the three contests; their videos will air on West Hartford Community Television.  Congratulations to Francis Byrne, Daniel Kunnel, Ian Kunsey, and Alex Liu for being named the Judges Choice winners and to Madison Bechard, Ashley McDonald, and Daniel Padberg-Bartoo for being named the People’s Choice winners, both categories for the “Candle Safety” PSA contest.  

First LEGO Team:  Smith STEM School had two LEGO robotics teams this fall – one through fifth grade Quest and the other an after school team for fourth and fifth graders.  The teams competed in a regional robotics tournament consisting of 26 teams in the CT area.  Teams had to build and program a robot to complete tasks on the LEGO playing field and try to get the most points in 2 1/2 minutes by gathering rings, pulling levers and even shooting a LEGO soccer ball.  Teams also had to present a research presentation and complete teamwork exercises.  The Quest Explorers won The Robot Design Award, and the Smith World Class Wonders won The Project Presentation Award.  These awards qualified both teams for the State tournament where they competed successfully along with 50 other teams, most of middle school age.  Congratulations to Coach Kathy Hardesty and to Quest 5^th grade students Walker Beverly, Jennifer Brown, Ruth Dunlap, Luke Dunlap, Joseph Hassett, Tessa Hache, Elizabeth Horan, Max Michtom, Rohan Venkatech, Jack Wenz, Monica Wheeler, and Aaliska Sapkota and to Coaches Kathy Hardesty and Peter Towey and The World Class Wonders Avery Allen, Chelsea Barrett, CJ Bukowski, Estelle Cohen, Marcel Cohen, Daniela Echevarria, Daniel Kamin, Lara Lessa, Eliyaan Shakeel, and Eli Towey.

 

Athletics

All-State/All-State Scholar/All-Hartford Courant/All New England/All American:  All-State student athletes have distinguished themselves as elite athletes in their sports in the state of CT.  The criteria for All-State recognition varies from sport to sport.  Criteria in individual sports are dependent upon overall placement in state championship meets, while team sport individuals are nominated and selected by the state coaches of that sport.  All-State scholars are chosen based on their GPA.  Hartford Courant sports writers choose top players for various sports in the state based on positions and talent.  All New England is based on placement in the New England Championship meet for individual sports such as cross country.  All New England in team sports is voted in by all of the coaches once athletes receive All State status.  All American in soccer is determined once an athlete receives All New England status and enter into a ranking system.  All American in individual sports is based on placement in the National meets.  Congratulations to the following Conard/Hall student athletes:

All State Soccer and All Hartford Courant:  Erik Ribeiro

All State Soccer, All New England, and All-Hartford Courant:  Chantelle Swaby

All State Soccer, All New England, All American, and All Hartford Courant:  Jack Monnes

All Hartford Courant Soccer:  Kyanne Alleyne, Bryan Baker, Chris Murphy, Sebastian Rengifo, Elena Santos, Josh Weisenberg

All State Cross Country, All New England, and All Hartford Courant:  Ari Klau, Grant O’Connor

All State Cross Country and All Hartford Courant:  Gwen Geisler

All Hartford Courant Cross Country:  Devon Aldave, Alec Ferguson-Hull, Benjamin Gross, Elizabeth Salzman-Fisk

All State Field Hockey and All Hartford Courant:  Elizabeth Christensen, Charlotte Leyland

All State Field Hockey and All State Scholar Field Hockey:  Helen Chavey

All State Field Hockey, All State Scholar Field Hockey, and All Hartford Courant:  Kathleen Keegan

CHSCA All State Football LL Offensive Team and All Hartford Courant Offensive Team:  Robert Parra

All Hartford Courant Football Offensive Team:  Sam Dobbins

All Hartford Courant Football Defensive Team:  Henry Fracasso, Jason Gilbert, Hayden Souza

All Hartford Courant Diving:  Jackie Palermo

All Hartford Courant Swimming:  Quinn Mitchell

All State Swimming and All Hartford Courant:  Clara Capone, Maria DiBella, Tara Tiernan

CT Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance:  Congratulations to Sedgwick health teacher Craig Archambault, for being selected to receive the Outstanding New Professional Award for 2014.  This award is given to outstanding health, physical education, recreation or dance educators who have excelled in the profession by making exemplary contributions to their school and community.  Criteria for this award included teaching 5 years or less, is currently teaching, is a member of CTAHPERD, demonstrates passion, commitment and skill in teaching, models a healthy, active lifestyle, serves as a role model for students, staff and the community at-large, and someone who demonstrates involvement in his or her school culture and learning community.

 

Leadership

West Hartford Teacher of the Year:  Congratulations to Brittney Zieller, fourth grade teacher at Norfeldt Elementary School, for being named the 2014-15 West Hartford Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year process is rigorous, beginning with nominations from other teachers.  Nominees then submit a resume, essay and recommendations.  Finalists have a lesson videotaped, and the Teacher of the Year Committee formally interviews the final three candidates.  Please give a round of applause to Brittney, West Hartford Public Schools Teacher of the Year!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts in Partnership with the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Massachusetts Department of Education:  Congratulations to Duffy Library Media Specialist, Jill Dailey, for being named the recipient of the Local Hero Award.  This award recognizes ten teachers from CT and western Massachusetts for their hard work, dedication and commitment to students.  Ms. Dailey has been the library media specialist at the Duffy Elementary School for the past 13 years.  She creates a warm, welcoming and inclusive learning environment for students.  She provides several outreach programs to ensure that all students have access to the resources and services of the library including the “Bus Books” program, book fair scholarships, and school-home library information for the HANOC homework center.  She was selected as a finalist for the Exemplary Educator Award from the CT Association of Schools in May, 2014.

The CT Association of Public School Superintendents:  This award is bestowed upon an individual who demonstrates leadership service to his or her school, academic prowess, and service to others in their community.  Congratulations to Hall student Gillian Hixson and Conard student John Martin for being selected to receive the CAPSS Student Recognition Award.

Eagle Scout:  Eagle Scout is the highest-ranking award given to only a select few for their demonstration of leadership and service.  Only about 4% of Scouts have earned the rank since 1911.  To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a boy scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills.  A number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.  Congratulations to Hall student James Cassidy for being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.

 

CABE Awards

The Connecticut Boards of Education has honored school districts with the Award of Excellence in Education Communications since 1975.  Their goal is to identify and honor employees in school districts and communities for outstanding communication.  Congratulations to the following Award and Honorable Mention recipients:

Award Winners:

In the category of Newsletter

1. Bugbee Buzz submitted by Noam Sturm and Maggie Sullivan
2. King Philip Middle School Principal Newsletter submitted by Joy Wright

In the category of Computer Generated Projects

1. The Whiting Lane Hoot submitted by Johanna Cleary and Kim Hannan

Honorable Mention Winners:

In the category of Newsletter

1.  Connections Quarterly Newsletter submitted by Karen L. List and Amy LaRose

In the category of course Selection Guide

1. Continuing Education: LifeLearn Adult/Summer Options submitted by Ruth Kozlowski and Amy LaRose

In the category of Special Project

1. Hall High School Pops n’Jazz Poster submitted by Haig Shahverdian and Amy LaRose
2. Pupil Services New Staff Orientation Research Guide submitted by Glenn McGrath

In the category of Computer Generated Projects

1. Charter Oak International Academy IB Inquirer submitted by Mary Thompson and Jo-Ann Lizon