Recent studies regarding financial literacy show some somber statistics for Connecticut. Connecticut ranks 35th in the country, according to WalletHub.com. In response, Sikorsky Credit Union is working to increase financial literacy by engaging high school students. In addition to Financial Reality Fairs and monetary support of financial literacy programs, the Credit Union employs paid high school interns to promote positive messages about finances to their peers.

Sikorsky Credit Union has four high school branches-in Ansonia, Oxford, Seymour and Stratford. In each branch, student interns work alongside Sikorsky Credit Union staff to encourage good financial habits among their peers. Interns also engage their classmates and help them understand the value of saving and using banking services such as checking accounts and debit cards responsibly.

“They are our best advocates,” notes Brittany Blake, who is the Youth Initiative Coordinator for the high school branches.  “They spread the word about the credit union and also demonstrate the benefits of using our services, which will help them both today and in the future.” One recent Credit Union initiative highlighted the interns using “Fat Heads”, which puts their life-sized images on the walls within their schools. By putting their faces with their high school initiative, this year’s group of interns are going a long way toward achieving their goal.

The following students were named to the fall semester dean’s list.

Boston University: Tara B. Doherty and Hayley E. Kepchar.

Le Moyne College: Michelle Mitchell, a senior English major.

University of Delaware: Andrew Cerone, Chloe Dudzinski, Bianca Perez, Anekka Scott-Gray.

Joy Alino and Roselynn Thattil earned high honors for the second marking period at Sacred Heart Academy.

The following students graduated from Housatonic Community College’s first Community Health Worker course: Holly Allen and Jody Keene.

The Stratford Library and South End Community Center’s 9th annual “Black History Month Essay/Art Contest” recently celebrated its winners. Congratulations were offered by Teen Librarians Lucretia Duwel and Diane Stackpole with South End Coordinators Ty Sims and Evelyn Barbosa at the special event which saw more than 150 students, parents, educators and guests in attendance at the Stratford Theatre. These included Stratford Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Councilwoman Stephanie Philips and Principals Jack Lynch (Wooster Middle School) and Patricia Libero (St. James School).

Duwel announced that a record number of entries were received this year which included 284 essays, 10 poems and 27 pieces of artwork from grades 6-8. The audience was not only treated to poetry, art and writings about a variety of personal, celebrity or fictional African-Americans, but also to several local heroes who inspired them to be the best that they can be. The South End Community Center also presented the Victory Praise dancers of Cavalry Temple Christian Church and the poem, DREAMS by their After-School Program, grades K-6.

This year’s Black History Month contest winners were Elementary students: Kim Rueda, Emilia Hevenstobe, Nicholas Ramos, Nyla Livingston and Ponce James. Middle school winners were: Daneyonie Whitaker, Lexi Backer, Jennifer Fajardo, Marcella Silberger, Erin Porchinski, Selena Rios, Sarah Khouja, Lauren Cuici, Toni Greene, Hailey McKane, Carlos Ballantes, Mikaela Puzzo, Kylie Lucifora, Elizabeth Richards, Andy Ilie, Sarah Williams, Holly Rosa, Daniella Malota, Juliana Santiago, Frankie Lembo, Georgia Barnick, Maura Kelly, Amelia Overby.

Duwel also recognized the teachers whose students took part in this year’s contest: Sue Saylor and Johanna Fraczek (Flood), Samantha Rosenberg and Carolyn Fedeli (Franklin), Katherine Harrington (Second Hill Lane), Kristen Rosati (Stratford Academy Johnson House), Kathy D’Amico and Peter Carlson (Lordship), Katie Ayres and Jill Degnan (Wooster) and Colleen Simon and Marissa DePalma (St. James).

Upcoming at the Stratford Library for Teens will be the Sixth Grade Finish Line Wednesday, March 18, from 6-7 p.m. featuring food, games and crafts for sixth graders. For more  information on any and all Teen programming, call 203-385-4162 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

The contest winners from this year’s “Black History Month Essay/Art Contest,” an annual event sponsored by the Stratford Library and South End Community Center held recently at the Stratford Theatre. The Scottish Rite Masons lent the use of the theatre for the event.

Stratford’s family-centered eye care practice, Family Vision Center has partnered with the town’s local 11 elementary schools and Stratford and Milford’s senior centers to collect prescription, sun and reading glasses, and hearing aids. The collection drive will run until Wednesday, March 18.

“Family Vision Center is extremely proud to be part of such a rewarding initiative,” Kristine Heslin, owner/managing partner at Family Vision Center said. “It’s an honor to partner with local schools and senior centers to give to those in need of eyeglasses. The gift of sight can completely change someone’s life.”

All items collected will be donated to New Eyes for the Needy, a non-profit working to empower children and adults with the improved vision they need to pursue a better quality of life.

Susan Romatzick, RN, BSN, head nurse of Stratford elementary schools said, “All 11 of the Stratford elementary schools immediately seized the opportunity to join this inspiring cause. Vision impairments make learning so much more difficult, and it is reflected in all academic areas. Donating to New Eyes for the Needy by recycling items no longer useful to our students, staff and parents is such an easy way for us to be able to help others.”

The school that collects the most items will be awarded a prize from local minor league baseball team, the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Anyone who would like to donate to the collection drive can drop off their items at the Baldwin Center in Stratford or the Milford Senior Center.

Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP, a premier personal injury and Social Security Disability law firm serving Rhode Island and Southern New England, announced the launch of a scholarship program designed to increase public awareness about brain injuries and tumors and to highlight prevention efforts.

As a part of the Marasco & Nesselbush Brain Injury Prevention Scholarship, the firm is offering a total of six college scholarships — three $1,000 scholarships and three $500 scholarships — to the students who produce the best 30-second videos about the serious problem of brain injuries, particularly among young people. A first place and second place winner will be selected in each state the firm serves: Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“As attorneys committed to the health and safety of the communities we serve, we are excited to inspire the creativity of students to highlight the very real dangers of concussions, traumatic brain injuries and other types of brain disorders,” said firm co-founder and partner, Donna M. Nesselbush.

“Giving scholarships to students to help them reach their full potential through higher education is another rewarding aspect of the competition,” Nesselbush said.

Each entrant will produce an original 30-second public service announcement video that addresses one of the following three topics, whichever one calls her/him most.

•   Concussions/Head Injuries: Think Fast. These videos will showcase the most frequent causes of concussions/head injuries and provide information about prevention and what should be done if someone may have suffered a concussion.

•   A Day in the Life of Someone with a Brain Injury. These videos will demonstrate the hurdles and successful strategies employed by those living with TBI or other brain disorders.

•   Compassion for Caregivers. These videos will focus on the family and friends of people living with a TBI or other brain disorder, highlighting the courage and compassion they show every day as they help their loved ones recover, cope and lead quality lives.

Winners will be selected based on a combination of scoring by a panel of community judges and by voting on social media. Videos will be uploaded to YouTube and placed on the firm’s website. Visitors to the site will choose and share their favorite videos by sending links via social media along with the hashtag #PreventBrainInjury2015.

The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2015. Winners will be announced in mid-April. The competition is open to high school seniors in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts, and students currently enrolled at a two-year or four-year college or university in Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts.

“We are confident that the young people of Southern New England will generate innovative and spirited ways to spread the word about brain injury and prevention,” Nesselbush said. “We look forward to viewing their creative videos.”

For more information about the scholarship competition, please visit the firm’s website at: www.M-N-Law.com/scholarship/.

Jacquelyn S. Kubicko

On March 5, at a black-tie awards gala, Penton’s Aviation Week presented a Tomorrow’s Leader Laureate Award to Jacquelyn Susanne Kubicko, Second Class Cadet, United States Coast Guard Academy. Held in Washington, D.C. each year, the Laureate Awards are the aviation, aerospace and defense industry’s premier honor, recognizing the exploration, innovation, and heroism of current and future leaders, including Kubicko.

“As Aviation Week approaches its 100th anniversary in 2016, we salute this year’s Laureate finalists and winners,” said Aviation Week & Space Technology Editor-in-Chief Joseph C. Anselmo. “They embody the spirit of exploration, innovation and vision that will inspire others to strive for broad-reaching progress in aviation, aerospace and defense through the next century.”

Stratford native Kubicko, a graduate of Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, is a junior attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London. She holds a GPA of a 4.0 and is ranked first in her class. Kubicko holds a place of the Board of Trustees list for displaying excellence in all three categories recognized by USCGA — in academic, military, and athletic performance. She spent her fall 2014 semester on exchange at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. In her two years at USCGA, Kubicko has been awarded membership into the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society and currently is enrolled in the honors program. She also has received the Excellence in Advanced Chemistry Award, the Excellence in Physics Award, the Class of 2009 Writing Award, and the Commandant’s Undergraduate Award and Flag Letter recognition by Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Paul F. Zukunft.

Kubicko was one of four armed services cadets honored as Tomorrow’s Leaders by Aviation Week, honoring young men and women who have chosen career paths in the armed forces. Additional cadet honorees include Rebecca A. Esselstein, Cadet First Class, United States Air Force Academy; Samuel Lacinski, Midshipman First Class, United States Naval Academy; and Andrew Nicholas Ford, Cadet Lieutenant, United States Military Academy.

Produced by Penton’s Aviation Week, the Laureate Awards is one of the industry’s premier events, attracting hundreds of industry pioneers and thought leaders from around the world. Event sponsors include Premier Sponsors Airbus, Boeing and Raytheon, and Sponsors Orbital ATK, Spirit Aerosystems, and Pratt & Whitney. Aviation Week & Space Technology is the event’s official publication. Media support is provided by Air Transport World and SpeedNews.

Complete coverage of the Laureates Awards is available in Aviation Week & Space Technology and at aviationweek.com. For more information on all Aviation Week events, visit events.aviationweek.com. On Twitter, follow @AviationWeek, #AWLAUR.

Traveling solo is the ultimate in freedom and rejuvenation because you have total control of the trip. The excitement of the location — somewhere you’ve always wanted to to, going somewhere warm, seeing and doing new things are often the best part of personal travel. Traveling solo is a developing trend. 11% of Americans travel solo — but for those 45 or over is 28%

Key motivators are getting away from normal life (57%) and relaxing (54%). But the solo travel learning curve can be steep and the resources to acquire the needed skills are limited.

Learn about traveling solo during the Traveling Solo 101 Workshop Thursday, March 26, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Adult Continuing Education, Stratford High School, 45 North Parade Street.

The Traveling Solo Workshop is a fun interactive “deep dive” to build solo travel savvy whether you’re about to on your first solo trip or you’re an experienced adventurer. It’s a way to learn about the travel styles of others, their personal bucket lists and developing your solo traveler network. There just might be a potential travel buddy attending your class.

Fee is $14. Advance registration required; stratford.coursestorm.com/course/traveling-solo-101?page=3.

Nina Lesiga (gottatravelsolo.com) is a coach in the field of “solo travel” and “personal discovery”at every age. Photo by William Haney.

This winter Lordship School offered an after school program in computer coding, led by 4th grade teacher Lauren Cavalli who recruited many other faculty to join her team to oversee the 73 students from grades 3-6 who participated in the inaugural program. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the enthusiasm that came from the students and faculty with this program,” Principal Kate Murphy said.

Throughout the 8-week program students learned computer coding with its implications to various high interest professions; developing technology like programs for games & apps and animation-film making. Students developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they persevered in solving puzzles.

The basics of computer programing helps nurture creativity. “Offering this program to our students was a win-win for both them and the faculty.” Cavalli said. “I was happy to bring a program to our students that prepares them for all types of 21st Century careers while developing skill sets that can be utilized in the classroom.”

Army Pvt. Maleina T. Rivera graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Daughter of Elizabeth Mazza of Palm Coast, Fla. and Edward Rivera of Stratford, she is a 2013 graduate of Central High School, Bridgeport.

Army Pvt. Maleina T. Rivera graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Daughter of Elizabeth Mazza of Palm Coast, Fla. and Edward Rivera of Stratford, she is a 2013 graduate of Central High School, Bridgeport.

Antinozzi Associates announces the new design of the first new residence hall on the University of Bridgeport campus in several decades. This sustainably-designed, 60,000 SF four-story facility will house 220 students in a variety of modern residential configurations including suites and traditional bedrooms, along with many social amenity rooms and student support services.

The University of Bridgeport campus and the surrounding neighborhoods include many private homes in a beautiful seaside community built by wealthy Bridgeport families during the industrial era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The new residence hall is designed to embrace this context by utilizing an architectural style of the same historic era suggestive of a resort hotel, similar to those found in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Steeply-pitched hip roofs with wide overhangs shelter a facade comprised of forest green board-and-batten siding and wood shakes above a terra-cotta masonry base. The façade is punctuated by a curved bay window with a front porch that welcomes students home to an entrance lobby decorated in a theme that extends the Victorian flair of the exterior design.

Since 2002, Antinozzi Associates has provided architectural and interior design services for numerous facility renovations and additions at the University, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. These campus projects have including a wide range of building types such as the arts center, dental clinic, the main dining hall, graduate and undergraduate student housing additions and renovations, the media center, the health services building, and the Ernest Trefz School of Business.

The University of Bridgeport offers career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth. The University promotes academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse, supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. The University is independent and non-sectarian.

Construction by KBE Construction Company of Farmington is slated to begin in May 2015 and be complete by June 2016.

Front Elevation of the University of Bridgeport’s Schine Hall

Back Elevation of the University of Bridgeport’s Schine Hall

Five St. Mark School Students participated in the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair held at Quinnipiac University last week, capturing both the first and second place trophies for 8th Grade Physical Science.

Emily Fedor was awarded first place in 8th Grade Physical Science for her project, “Using Induced Wind Force to Increase the Efficiency of an Electric Vehicle Battery.” She received five awards for her project, earning more than $1,400 in cash and prizes. Kristen Robertson received second place in 8th Grade Physical Science for her project, “Energy Scavenging–Proving the Seebeck Effect with a Homemade Thermoelectric Generator: A Source of Free, Sustainable, Low-Voltage Power,” earning four awards and more than $500 in cash and prizes.

Sophie Kirn received Second Honors for her project, “How Substances Affect Tonic Water Glow,” Natalie Sciallo received Second Honors for her project, “A Photosynthesis Lab: The Effect of Light Intensity, Water Temperature, Colored Lights, and Contaminated Water on the Rate of Photosynthesis of the Aquatic Plant, Elodea Densa,” and Kelly DeRosa received Third Honors for her project, “Relinquishing Rust.”

This year, more than 500 projects were entered in the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, with more than 600 students participating. The fair awarded almost $300,000 in cash and prizes.

Emily Fedor and Kristen Robertson

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.

Jamie Ruso, of Stratford, and a member of the class of 2017 at Providence College, recently spent a week working with Habitat for Humanity as part of the College’s Campus Ministry program.

Ruso was among more than 130 Providence College students who volunteered to spend their spring break working at Habitat home sites in nine locations in the United States. They participated through the Habitat campus chapter at PC, which is sponsored by the chaplain’s office. Ruso worked on a home project in Kittanning, Pa.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter and other volunteers who work through more than 1,900 affiliates worldwide.

Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the top five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges.

The following Stratford students were named to the second quarter honor roll at The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall:

High honors

Grade 12 — Christina Augusztin, Margaret Gallagher.

Grade 10 — Rachelle Ambroise, Rebecca Debski, Dorothy Goodrich, Kathryn Kelly.

Grade 9 — Madyson Barnick, Emilia Burton.

Honors

Grade 12 — Morgan Hansen, Sarah Haselkamp, Shannon Wade.

Grade 11 — Alanna Ferrigno, Sarah Gallagher, Lily Reed, Elena Wood.

Grade 10 — Madelyn Dragone, Mia Mulin, Kathryn Rooney, Alexandra Sciallo.

Grade 9 — Emily Bump, Caitlin Rich, Kaitlyn Teto.

Grace Childcare, 150 Chapel Street is accepting registration for its summer camp and fall programs.

The summer camp program runs for seven weeks. Students may join in for one or all weeks. The fall programs includes full and half day preschool.

For more information, visit gracechildcare.wix.com/grace-childcare-center, or call 203-381-0188.

Robert McGrath, fire chief for the Stratford Fire Department, announces a contest for school age children in the Town of Stratford, to name the newest addition of firefighting equipment recently placed in-service by the Stratford Fire Department, Stratford Fire Boat 233.

Stratford Fire Boat 233 is a 33 foot state of the art marine firefighting and rescue vessel which was manufactured by the Bremerton, Washington based Safe Boat International Inc. This all aluminum water craft was manufactured based on a design utilized extensively by the United States Coast Guard and the Fire Department of the City of New York.

Funded by a grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Stratford Fire Boat 233 has the ability to pump in excess of 1,000 gallons a minute of water through a bow mounted remote controlled turret nozzle, or through individual hand operated hose lines which are used to extinguish shipboard fires, and to facilitate attack of a fire occurring in a marina or other waterfront fire exposures. Additionally, with its temperature controlled wheelhouse, victims injured as a result of marine based emergencies may be treated and transported to awaiting land based ambulances. The vessel carries a complement of basic life support equipment.

The new boat is moored at the Beacon Point Marina located on the Housatonic River and is staffed by specially trained marine qualified firefighters assigned to the fire headquarters station, and is ready to respond to water based emergencies 24 x 7.   

Chief McGrath would like to invite students from Stratford Schools to assist us with the naming of the boat. It has been a long standing tradition of providing a sea vessel with a unique name whereas; this vessel would be identified by that name.

Therefore, a contest has been designed for all Stratford School Children, up through grade 8, to create and submit an entry with an original name and an explanation of why it should be assigned to this boat.

Entries must be submitted no later than Friday, May 1, whereas a winner of the contest will be decided and that winner will receive a breakfast with the Fire Chief Robert McGrath and a ride with a family member on the new Stratford Fire Boat.

Mail or drop off submissions to: Stratford Fire Department, Name Our Boat, c/o Tim Brennan, 2750 Main Street, Stratford CT, 06615; 203-385-4070; or email tbrennan@townofstratford.com.

Stratford Fire Boat 233

American Legion Baseball will host a free Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run Competition for area youth Sunday April 19, 1 p.m., registration, 1:30 competition, at Cal Ripken Turf Field Ocean Avenue in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

Pitch Hit & Run is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball. This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters an opportunity to compete, free of charge in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills.

Boys and girls are divided into four age divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2015 MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati Ohio.

The individual Pitching, Hitting and running Champions along with the All-Round Champion in each age and gender group at the Local Competition will be awarded and advance to the sectional Level of Competition.

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and have their parent or guardian fill out the registration/wavier form prior to the start of the competition.

For questions concerning the competition, contact your local coordinator, Sarsfield Ford at coachsars@yahoo.com.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), 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