Community Corner
Branford Student Wins CL&P Energy Award
Five Branford students in total were recognized.
Third-grader Mia Katz of won first prize for her grade level at the 8th annual Connecticut Energy Efficiency Student Contest, announced yesterday at the State Capitol. The contest is part of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund’s eesmarts program – this year’s contest received over 800 entries from across the state, more than any other previous year.
The contest gave Connecticut students the opportunity to showcase their “energy smarts” about saving energy by answering grade level-specific prompts regarding energy efficient and renewable energy technologies and sustainability through various media forms, including poems, songs, news articles, essays, artwork/posters, and television commercials.
The ceremony was held in the Old Judiciary Room of the Connecticut State Capitol and attracted over 120 students, parents and energy efficiency supporters in celebration of the students’ hard work and efforts to raise awareness of energy efficiency, and clean/renewable energy technologies. Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Dan Esty, and Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund First Vice-Chairman Richard W. Steeves were on hand to congratulate the winners, and WFSB Channel 3 Meteorologist Mark Dixon served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
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First prize winners received an iPad and second prize winners received a Kindle. Third place winners received a season pass for their immediate family to a science museum partner of the Energy Efficiency Fund, which includes the choice of The Connecticut Science Center (Hartford), The Discovery Museum (Bridgeport), and Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk). Fourth Place and Honorable Mention winners received Amazon gift cards.
Other Branford students recognized included:
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Elizabeth Axtell, Mary R. Tisko School (4th Place, Second Grade)
Third: Sam Taber, Mary T. Murphy School (3rd Place, Fourth Grade)
Jessica Amarante, Walsh Intermediate School (2nd Place, Fifth Grade)
Sophia Berty, Walsh Intermediate School (HM, Fifth Grade)
Representing over 20 towns and cities across Connecticut, the winners included:
Kindergarten
First: William Cabrera, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Second: Nicole Russell, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Third: Angela Vega, Hockanum School, East Hartford
Honorable Mention: Matthew McLeod, Mary L. Tracy School, Orange
First Grade
First: Yash Bhandari, Newfield Elementary, Stamford
Second: Amelia Ferro, Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport
Third: Xavier Sierra, Discovery Magnet School, Bridgeport
Fourth: Elizabeth Axtell, Mary R. Tisko School, Branford
Honorable Mention: John Kozdroy, Clintonville Elementary School, North Haven
Second Grade
First: Sarah Mensah, Hockanum School, East Hartford
Second: Faiz Ahmed, Home School, Hamden
Third: Yasmin Salas, Hockanum School, East Hartford
Fourth: Karina McMahon, Burr Elementary School, Fairfield
Honorable Mention: Sydney Carlo, Lordship School, Stratford
Third Grade
First: Mia Katz, Mary T. Murphy School, Branford
Second: Keelin Virgulto, Ryerson Elementary School, Madison
Third: Karl Miller, Sandy Hook School, Newtown
Fourth: Isabel Melchinger, John C. Daniels Elementary School, New Haven
Honorable Mention: Olivia Canevari, Hebron Avenue Elementary, Hebron
Fourth Grade
First: Kameren Simmons, Bear Path Elementary School, Hamden
Second: Victoria Aromolaran, Worthington Hooker School, New Haven
Third: Sam Taber, Mary T. Murphy School, Branford
Fourth: Logan Bermas, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Honorable Mention: Robert Celentano, Spring Glen Elementary School, Hamden
Fifth Grade
First: Zachary Zordan, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Second: Jessica Amarante, Walsh Intermediate School, Branford
Third: Jack Burns, Litchfield Intermediate School, Litchfield
Honorable Mention: Sophia Berty, Walsh Intermediate School, Branford
Sixth Grade
First: Saleha Ahmed, Helen Street School, Hamden
Second: Michael McMahon, Tomlinson Middle School, Fairfield
Third: Vincent Olsen, Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon
Honorable Mention: Cassidy Ainsley, Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon
Seventh Grade
First: Emily Kupcho, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Second: Cheyenne Ellis, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Enfield
Third: Elissia Peralta, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Enfield
Honorable Mention: Ryan Cappadona, West Rocks Middle School, Norwalk
Eighth Grade
First: William Caragine, Nathan Hale Middle School, Norwalk
Second: Izzy Roth, Roger Ludlowe Middle School, Fairfield
Third: Austin Reid, Canton Middle School, Canton
Honorable Mention: Amy Leard, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
High School (9-12)
First: Nathan Botte, Holy Cross High School, Waterbury
Second: Bridget Sharos, South Windsor High School, South Windsor
Third: Rodney Miller, Holy Cross High School, Waterbury
Honorable Mention: Rachel Cipriano, Holy Cross High School, Waterbury