Branford Student Wins CL&P Energy Award

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.

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:

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