Jack Dellapiano

The Stratford Board of Education didn’t have to look far to find a new principal for Stratford High School.

Jack Dellapiano was chosen by the Board of Ed at its meeting Tuesday to take over at SHS, according to Board of Ed Chairwoman Andrea Veilleux. Dellapiano, who was previously principal at Flood Middle School, takes over for Joseph Corso, who left Stratford High to become principal of Lyman Hall High School in his hometown of Wallingford.

The Board of Ed also named Brian Darcy as principal at Wooster Middle School. Darcy had previously been an assistant principal at Bunnell High School.

Stay with the Stratford Star for more information on this story.

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Named to spring dean’s list

Bismarck State College: Donald Ireland, president’s honors.

Husson University: Amanda Mora.

Loyola University: Jake Gordon, Marguerite Grasso, Ashley Rich.

Southern Connecticut State University: Christopher Adamchek, Nicole Archibald, Tiffany Arias, Shawn Boahene, Karol Chaber, Kayla Cusano, Lori DiBlasi, Chloe Dyke, Rachel Erdos, Emily Everetts, Jenna Fasanella, Tristan Foucault, Louis Francois, Bridget Frouge, Kaitlyn Garcia, Bianca Heslop, Courtney Iassogna, Laeticia Iboki, Dominique Jackson;

Also, Lesia Jakowiw, Merril Jones, Daniel Jossick, Deborah Jossick, Britni Kiosse, Mikayla Konecny, Katherine Krajcik, Leanna Kuroghlian, Rebecca Kuzmich, Kayla Lombardo, Alexandra Marx, Christina Mazzeo, Danielle Mcdonald, April Meadows, Krystal Medley, Andres Meythaler, Karin Morales, Thomas Nalezynski, Snasha-Kay Neita;

Also, Kinya Nkwo, Joseph O’Brien, Abigail Opoku, Ryan Pegolo, Angela Perez, Kaitlin Plude, Margaret Reilly, Elizabeth Sabatino, Alyssa Santiago, Suprena Shuler, Catherine Simon, Heather Smith, Thomas Sullivan, Daniel Suzano, Jacquelyn Temelsiz, Tafari Turner, Lisa Vega, Alexa Villa, Abigail Wiegand, Makeda Williams, Christopher Wisniewski.

University of New Haven: Isaiah Booker, Ashley Carmona, Timothy Cox, Rebecca Debiase, Nicky Derosa, Kaylee Erdos, Christina Esposito, Mark Herde, Tori Kelly, Mark Verrilli.

Earns high honors

Emily Schofield, grade 11, received high honors for the third and fourth marking period honor rolls at Notre Dame Fairfield High School.

Sacred Heart Academy high honors

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

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Wilcoxson High School class of 1965 held its 50th reunion on July 3. Folks traveled from California, Arizona, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to attend the reunion.

Also attending the reunion were Mrs. Robin Muth (5th grade teacher known to us as Miss Altieri in 1964), and Mrs. McGovern (wife of 6th grade teacher Mr. McGovern who is deceased) and Laurie Saymon (daughter of 6th grade teacher Mr. McGovern). Other beloved teachers who were not in attendance were Mrs. Bertha T Burke (deceased, 6th grade teacher, 1965) and Mr. George Wines (5th grade teacher, 1964).

Front row: Jim Peters, Paul Johnson, Mark Moral, Ray Sexton, Stephen Petruccelli, Tim Daubenspeck, Peter Bowe, Ken Guggenheim, Art Crawford, Glenn Ekwall; Back row: Barb Kish (Aldrich), Karen Paulson (Davis), Diane Kraska (Selvaggi), Diane Levi (Law), Maureen McDermott (Shedlock), Kathy Dangle (Killeen), Rosie Rodrigues, Shelley Baer, Alice Hronjak (Engbith), Joan Flaherty (Kostin), Liz Williamson (Hart).10001000

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This year’s 28th In the Spotlight Stratford Youth Summer Theatre will be Meredith Willson’s classic musical, The Music Man with performances July 30, 31, and Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Flood Middle School Auditorium. Stratford Youth Summer Theatre features Stratford students from grades 7-12.

The Music Man is the story of traveling con man Harold Hill who convinces the people of River City, Iowa to start a boy’s marching band in an effort to get rich quick and skip town, much to the suspicion of town librarian, Marian Paroo.

This musical features classic band music, love songs, fast paced song and dance numbers, a barbershop quartet, and a chorus of gossiping ladies, brought to life by a cast of about 35 young people, ranging from 7th graders to this year’s high school graduates.

The Music Man is already coming together after just two full weeks of rehearsal. While the young cast has a lot on their plate with showstoppers such as Seventy Six Trombones and Shipoopi, Director Kevin Miller is confident that these teens will give yet another exceptional performance. “This year a stellar cast is handling this material with a new approach and a fresh energy, which is now so typical of the kids involved in theater in Stratford!” said Miller, “It is an exciting time to be able to direct all this energy, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.” This talented group of Stratford’s youth will no doubt blow us away with another amazing show this summer!

For ticket information, contact Stratford Community Services at 203-385-4095 or email Colin Anderson at canderson@townofstratford.com. In the Spotlight is a collaborative effort of Town of Stratford Community Services and Sterling House Community Center.

Three of the four quartet members, Jordan Kinder, Emily Lopez and Caty Whaley, sit down to learn Lida Rose with Music Director Will Duchon.

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The Alumni Company of Shakespeare Academy @ Stratford (SA@S) will perform their four-person production of Romeo & Juliet this week, before touring the production around Connecticut and the northeast over the next three weeks.

Local performances will be Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m., at the White House on the Shakespeare property; Sunday, July 12, at 6 p.m., at Short Beach, and Wednesday, July 15 at Boothe Memorial Park (time TBA). They also will perform Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m., at Las Vetas Lounge, 27 Unquowa Road, Fairfield. All performances are free and open to the public.

Other tour stops over the coming weeks include Niantic, Storrs, Providence, R.I. and several locations in Massachusetts, and New York City.

The Alumni Company members are Mariana Bell of Nahant, Mass., Nate Currier of San Rafael, Calif., Matt DeCostanza of Milford, and Kelly Letourneau of Holden, Mass. All four attended the inaugural SA@S program last summer on the grounds of the Shakespeare theater.

The performers have worked collaboratively throughout the spring to create their script and plan the tour, and have been living and rehearsing together in Stratford since June 24.

“The Alumni Company is a bridge, an opportunity for our former students to return to Stratford together to develop their skills as professional theater makers,” said SA@S Artistic and Program Director Colleen Sullivan. “This is a rare opportunity for young artists.”

The performers are working independently to create the performance — a next step in their education as theater professionals, and a continuation of the collaboration they began together last summer.

For more information and for a complete list of tour dates, visit shakespeareacademystratford.org/alumni-co

The Alumni Company of Shakespeare Academy @ Stratford. From left to right, Matthew DeCostanza, Nate Currier, Mariana Bell and Kelly Letourneau.

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The Stratford United Methodist Church (SUMC) childcare/preschool program has expanded to full day service for children between the ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Childcare is provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Located at 2600 Main Street, next to the train station, this program has been running for more than 50 years.

Beth Buckmir, director of the program, describes the facility as a “Bubble of Love.” “Our primary goal is to have each child safe secure and feel loved, when that happens everything falls into place for a perfect learning environment.” she said. With a grin, she adds, “the children in our program are always laughing and singing. They come skipping in the door with big smiles on their faces, looking forward to their day.”

Teachers in this program are highly experienced and dedicated, with first aid training including CPR. All of the teachers have worked with the program for many years. Buckmir has been director for nine years and the lead teacher, Alice Chueka, has served the program for more than 21 years. Asked about the program, one parent said, “It is so easy to leave my child here and go to work, because I know the kids are safe and well loved.”

The program is very affordable, with full time (five days) for children under 3 years at $263 a week and 3+ years at $220 a week — rates are lower for fewer days. The program also accepts “Care for Kids.”

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 203-386-1818.

Beth Buckmir and Alice Chueka.

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Stratford Library Teen Services is sponsoring their annual career program “What R U Doing After High School?” Saturday, March 19, from 10-3, in the Lovell Room. The program is free and open to the public.

Hands-on information from a variety of agencies, trade schools, community colleges, businesses along with the Stratford Police, EMS, Community Services, Stratford Continuing Education and the US Armed Forces will be provided and representatives will be available for individual discussion throughout the day.

Among those scheduled to attend this year are: Porter and Chester Institute, Lincoln Technical and Culinary Institute, American Institute of Healthcare and Technology, Branford Hall Career Institute, Housatonic and Gateway Community Colleges, The Milford Bank, The WorkPlace and Tim’s Auto Body Shop.

The first 25 participants to sign in will receive the official Stratford Library 2gig Flash Drive. The program is partially funded by a grant from Stratford Community Services and Stratford’s Panda House owner, Jack Yih.

For more information, contact the Library’s Teen Services Department at 203-385-4167.

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St. James School will hold a bottle and can drive on Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the school gym.

All proceeds from the drive will be used to upgrade technology in the school.

Deposits should be dropped off that morning; any deposits dropped off sooner cannot be accepted due to Fire Marshal regulations.

Information: 203-375-5994.

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Named to fall dean’s lists:

Emerson College: Catherine Casey, Shannon Miller.

Emmanuel College: Erin Koletar, Jessica Tartaglio, Stanley Zheng.

Fairleigh Dickinson University: Connor Bodington, dean’s list; Ricardo Belizaire, honors list.

Loyola University Maryland: Jake Gordon, class of 2017.

Marist College: Julianna Boras, class of 2018, economics; Jillian Broadbin, class of 2017, media studies & production; Samantha Errico, class of 2018, applied mathematics; Jack Heiden, class of 2018, computer science; Courtney McHale, class of 2017, math adolescence education; Anna Velasquez, class of 2019, liberal arts.

Merrimack College: Katherine LaBash, Myriam Philitas, Kelli Readey.

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design: Karin Wengenroth, junior, fine art.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Tyler Gruttadauria, Alexandra Hudak.

St. Lawrence University: Audrey R. Law, class of 2019, Bunnell High School graduate.

UMass Dartmouth: Keishera Aldonza.

University of Connecticut: Michelle K. Costa.

Participates in pitch competition: Margaret DeCapua participated in the 2016 Elevator Pitch competition at Champlain College. The contest, which is put on by Champlain College’s Build Your Own Business (BYOBiz) Program, Career Services, the Center for Service & Civic Engagement, and the Office of Advancement, requires students to give a 90-second “pitch” about a business idea to an executive (who is known as “the suit”) as they ride together in a fictional elevator.

Named to president’s list: Trudi-Ann Morris, bachelor of psychology, concentration in applied psychology was named to the fall semester president’s list at Southern New Hampshire University.

Named to honor society: Brendan A. Collins, class of 2017, English major, Fairfield College Prep graduate, was inducted into St. Lawrence University’s Irving Bacheller Society, the Department of English’s honorary society.

Receives high honors: Emily Schofield, a senior at Notre Dame Fairfield High School received high honors for the second marking period.

Earns degree: Robert Codio graduated with a bachelor of arts in music from Elizabethtown College in January.

Named to honor roll: Joy Alino earned high honors and Megane Lyonel earned honors for the second marking period at Sacred Heart Academy.

Enrolls in ECSU: Kevin Ledezma is attending Eastern Connecticut State University this spring. Ledezma’s major is business administration.

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Audrey R. Law of Stratford, a first-year student at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, was named to the fall semester dean’s list.

She is a member of the class of 2019 and a graduate of Bunnell High School.

Audrey Law

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The Garden Education Center (GEC), in partnership with Greenwich Library, has launched the fifth annual Greenwich Youth Film Festival (GYFF) contest. Entries will be accepted until Monday, March 21. Films may be entered in five genres: Creative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation and Environmental Action. The contest is open to high school students living in or attending school in Fairfield County, Conn., Westchester County, N.Y. and the metro region. Students and teachers may visit https://fairchildatgec.org/gyff2016/ for more information and entry materials.

The top film submissions will be shown at the Greenwich Youth Film Festival on Sunday, April 24, at 1 p.m., at Cole Auditorium in the Greenwich Library. The student whose film is selected as the best overall entry across all genres will be awarded the Grand Prize. Winners of the other genres will each win an award. An award will be given to all second place genre winners, and an award will be given to all third place genre winners. An award will be given to the best First Year Film Student Submission, recognizing the newest young filmmakers, as well as an award given to the Best Film Poster.

In addition, a new prize has been added this year, the Fairchild Challenge Award, which will recognize a competing school, instead of a student. The Fairchild Challenge Award will grant $500 towards a school’s environmental projects, and is awarded to the school that earns the most points in the Environmental Action Category. Schools must pre-register to be eligible for this award at fairchildatgec.org.

Ed Brown

The GEC is also pleased to announce filmmaker Ed Brown has signed on to serve as a judge for the contest. Brown launched his career as filmmaker and activist after writing, directing, narrating, shooting and editing his first feature documentary film “Unacceptable Levels” which debuted in Hollywood in 2013.

After an accomplished career as the Lead Highlight Writer for The NFL Today and NCCA College Basketball, and producer on webcast shows for Michael Moore with The Awful Truth and MTV, Brown decided to shift into making films for important causes.

“Unacceptable Levels” (unacceptablelevels.com) has been highly acclaimed, appearing in 35 international film festivals, while winning four major awards along the way. Brown was names 2014 Filmmaker of the Year by Green Lifestyles Network. Brown also speaks extensively and has delivered a TEDx Talk on the hazards of health challenges posed by toxic chemicals.

He now is working on his next project, titled “A New Resistance.” This film takes on a single chemical that is the backbone of the GMO industry, glyphosate. His goal is to motivate people to create pressure on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate this toxic chemical from commerce. By engaging celebrity involvement, Ed impacts advocacy through awareness amongst their social media followers that spread the message to broader populations. He recently appeared with Jessica Alba in Washington D.C. to advocate against chemical toxicity.

About the Garden Education Center of Greenwich, Inc.

The GEC is a volunteer educational non-profit organization committed to enhancing the appreciation and enjoyment of nature through horticulture, conservation and the arts. Located at 130 Bible Street in Cos Cob, GEC has been serving the community since 1957.

About the Fairchild Challenge

The Fairchild Challenge is an award-winning, interdisciplinary, environmental science competition designed and initiated by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables (Miami), Florida, a sister organization to GEC of Greenwich. The program has been recognized as a benchmark for exceptional STEM education and for empowering students to become the next generation of scientists, researchers, and engaged citizens. In eleven years, the program has expanded to 125,000 students and includes a Global Showcase, in partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

2015 Winners Jonathan Pasquarella and Tevon Costoso.

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The Stratford Public Schools are participating in Child Find, a project to identify young people with special education needs.

Federal and state regulations require that all disabled children be identified, located and evaluated from birth through age 21.

In Connecticut, services are provided to qualified children who have attained the age of 3. Disabling conditions may include hearing, physical, neurological and visual impairments, specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, speech/language disorders, social/emotional disturbance, and specific health impairment.

For children from 0-5 years of age, contact the Early Learning Services at Second Hill Lane School, Stratford, 203-381-2030.

For children ages 5-21, inquiries may be addressed to the principal of the respective school.

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Stratford High School Drama Society will present South Pacific, the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical on Friday, April 1, at 7:30 and Saturday, April 2, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium.

All tickets are $10.

For more information call 203-380-6777, ext. 1234 or visit stratfordhigh.stratfordk12.org.

The musical, composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan, premiered in 1949 and was an immediate hit, running for 1,925 performances. The plot centers on an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner but struggles to accept his mixed-race children. A secondary romance, between a U.S. lieutenant and a young Tonkinese woman, explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian sweetheart. The issue of racial prejudice is candidly explored throughout the musical and is one that is especially relevant today.

“My character (Ensign Nellie Forbush) finds herself conflicted with her love for Emile and her misgivings against his first ‘mixed’ marriage and his children who are half French and half Tonkinese,” said senior Julia Barksdale. “It is a traditional musical with classic songs, and it’s still relevant and entertaining today.”

Senior Chris Smith agrees that the show does explore timely issues and that he was surprised that it deals with the issues it does. “I didn’t think that back in the time when the show first ran people were dealing with those issues.” Like Barksdale, this is Smith’s last show on the Stratford High School stage. “A big part of my four years at Stratford High has been the drama society.”

Chynna Sherrod, another senior soon to graduate, felt an affinity for her character “Bloody” Mary an islander who is “sassy” and constantly questions authority. “The show itself deals with racism and prejudice through working it into its plot to provide a thought provoking and entertaining time for the audience. In the end the characters find that the color of your skin doesn’t matter, what matters is the person who you are.”

“That race doesn’t matter is part of the message that the audience will walk away with,” said Lauren Holt, also a senior. She added that she was also surprised to find that message in the show.

Several of the show’s songs, including Bali Ha’i, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Some Enchanted Evening, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, Happy Talk, Younger Than Springtime and I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy, have become popular standards.

The cast of the production includes (in order of appearance): Chynna Sherrod (Bloody Mary), Didi Anekwe (Bloody Mary’s Assistant), Zach Kenney (Captain George Brackett), Justin Gendron (Commander William Harbison), Clarissa Rotonto (Dinah), Christopher Smith (Emile de Becque), Shyla Caserta (Ensemble), Trish Rotonto (Ensemble), Bay Tait (Ensemble), Missy Unrynowski (Ensemble), Maia Dufane (Ensign Bessie Noonan), Brianna Rotonto (Ensign Connie Walewska), Abbie Joy (Ensign Cora MacRae), Dakota Benson (Ensign Janet MacGregor), Lauren Holt (Ensign Lisa Minelli), Julia Barksdale (Ensign Nellie Forbush), Maggie Walsh (Ensign Nellie Forbush), Paige Hoydick (Ensign Pamela Whitmore), Rebekah Wargo (Ensign Sue Yaeger), Phoebe Lindsey (Henri/Ensemble), Mason Murray (Jerome), Sam Rivera (Lead Nurse Lt. Genevieve Marshall), Caeley Ott (Liat), Evan Fernandes (Lieutenant Buzz Adams), Sam Noccioli (Lieutenant Joseph Cable), Jeremiah Domschine (Marine Corporal Hamilton Steeves), Gabriella Dufane (Ngana), Matthew Pond (Professor), Dan Vilarinho (Radio Operator Bob McCaffrey), Barry Libowitz (Seabee Luther Billis), Jake Russomano( Seabee Morton Wise), Jackson Royal (Seabee Richard West), William Jenkins (Seaman James Hayes), Anthony Silva de Sousa (Seaman Quale/Marine Staff Sgt. Hassinger), Zach Smith (Seaman Tom O’Brien/Marine Sgt. Kenneth Johnson), Olivia Murray (Shore Patrol), and Michael Holt (Stewpot [Carpenter’s Mate 2nd Class George Watts]).

The production’s stage crew includes Connor Anderson, Kaitlin de Friesse, Zach Dillon, Zachary Gottlieb, Joseph Green, Eyliana Hernandez, Pugs LaPuglia, Megan Leonard, Jennifer Melo, Rudy Miller, Darla Moss-Clarke, Gabby Olexovitch, McKayla Owen, Chloe Pappas, Emily Pappas, Brianna Pensanti, Danielle Peterson, Summer Reid, Mackenzie Rivera, Rachel Scott, Zack Toth, Madison Winter, and Emily Luciano.

The production staff includes, Producer and Vocal Director Jeff Leinen; Technical Director Mike Rich; Costumes by Susan Barksdale and Nancy Zychek; Props  Zoe Kenney; Hair and Make-up Hannah Rotonto; Stage Director Kevin Miller; Choreographer Meghan Daly and Pit Orchestra Director Mark Ryan.

For more information visit stratfordhigh.stratfordk12.org.

Sam Noccioli, Clarissa Rotonto, Julia Barksdale, Chris Smith, Maggie Walsh (front) work on a scene.

Chris Smith and Julia Barksdale practice a musical number.

Sam Noccioli, Maggie Walsh, Chris Smith, Kevin Miller (stage director), Julia Barksdale (kneeling) run through a scene from the show.

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The Stratford Library and South End Community Center’s 10th annual Black History Month Essay/Art Contest recently celebrated its winners. Congratulations were offered by Teen Librarians Lucretia Duwel (Department Head) and Diane Stackpole with South End Coordinator Ty Sims at the special event. A partnership of South End Community Center and Teen Services on the event began 10 years ago and has grown to encompass almost 500 submissions from students in grades K through 8 in both public and private schools. More than 25 teachers and their classes participated this year and many attended the Library event along with several principals, community representatives, and Library Board and Town Council members.

Duwel announced that a record number of entries were received this year and audience members were 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. Dancers from the KP Dance School of Bridgeport also performed for the event.

This year’s Black History Month contest winners were Elementary students: Sofia Calzone, Emilia Hevenstone and Scott Ezarik. Grade 6 and Middle Shool winners were: Alexis Aquilino, Adithya Prabakaran, Kristin Ruby, Peter Virgo, Ponce James, Julliette Masisco, Stephanie Carzalez, Rylee Henault, Amandine Sime, Abby Ligas, Kylie Lucifora, Natasha Mas, Katelyn Ferrari and Ramona Munsayac.

Among the Honorable Mention winners were Annie Rosen, Elle Medina, Julia Murphy, Angelyna Upchurch, Jackera Thompson, Edward Stead, Isabella Rivera, Elizabeth Frankel, Leila Celise, Georgia Grabowski, Sarah Sportini, Lucas Smith, Alicia Cook, Yasmine Kamel, Jessica Laszczak, Leann Vezina, Guiliana Bisogno, Isabella Taccogna, Isbelle Cola, Jakob Overby, Owen Ryder, Skyler Keleman, Niklil Shanker, Brady Knorr, Hailey McKane, Joey Merly, Ricardo Molina, Bridget Hewitt, Vanessa Smith, Sakura Stevens, Andy Illie, Ryan Allan and Amaya Nichols.

Upcoming at the Stratford Library for Teens will be their annual career program “What R U Doing After High School?” on Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library’s Lovell Room. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information on teen programming, call 203-385-4162 or visit stratfordlibrary.org.

Director of the South End Community Center Ty Simms (right) awards first place to Sofia Calzone of Second Hill Lane School.

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Dorothy Martin-Hatcher

St. Vincent’s College, a leader in quality health science education, welcomes new financial aid experts to its financial aid team who will host an information session for prospective and current students, titled, Financing Your Education Wednesday, March 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Hawley Conference Center, 4th Floor, Room 2, Bridgeport.

The program is free and open to the public. Complimentary parking for the public is available in the Campus Visitors Parking Garage.

The financial aid process can be overwhelming — especially with new federal and state regulations, explained Dorothy Martin-Hatcher, director of enrollment management and financial services, St. Vincent’s College.

Christopher Gutierrez

We know that students and their families want to meet face to face with someone who knows how to navigate the system and our team has nearly 50 years of combined experience doing just that. We welcome the opportunity to share this information with tomorrow’s healthcare workforce.

Each year, St. Vincent’s College awards nearly $290,000 in institutional scholarships, which complement a wide variety of private funding options available to students. Hot topics the team will address include federal and state grants, loan consolidation, default prevention, collections, work study options, tuition reimbursement, and more. Likewise, financial aid basics such as how to complete the FAFSA and Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the role of the financial aid and student account departments will be explained.

The College’s newly reinvigorated financial aid team possesses nearly 50 years of combined experience and is led by Dorothy Martin-Hatcher, director of enrollment management and financial services. Martin-Hatcher brings over 25 years of experience in enrollment management and financial aid. She previously held positions at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Mount Saint Mary College, Monroe College, Metropolitan College, and College of Westchester. Dorothy is currently earning her Masters in Higher Education Administration and is expected to graduate in June 2016.

Frederic Regouis

Christopher Gutierrez, assistant director of financial aid, has over 10 years’ experience in financial aid, most recently serving as financial aid director at Mattia College in Miami.

Fred Regouis, financial aid counselor, most recently served as an educational funding specialist at Power and Chester Institute and brings supervisory experience with a variety of technology and communications firms.

Classes for the fall semester begin Aug. 29. Applications are available online at stvincentscollege.edu.

For more information, call 800-873-1013.

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St. Joseph Elementary School will hold a gala dinner and silent auction, A Walk on the Red Carpet, to benefit the school’s technology fund on Saturday, April 2, from 7-11 p.m., at the Oronoque Country Club, 385 Oronoque Lane, Stratford.

The event features dinner, a DJ, dancing and a silent auction.

Dinner includes salad, pasta, chicken marsala, roast beef, vegetables, dessert, coffee and tea; cash bar available.

Tickets are $35.

To make a reservation, contact Mrs. Huben at 203-377-2124 or jhuben@diobptedu.org.

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The Southern Connecticut College Fair will be held Thursday, March 31, from 4-8 p.m., at The Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The fair features more than 200 colleges and universities from throughout the county. Admission is free and open to the public.

The fair is the combined effort of Fairfield Ludlowe, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Prep, Central High, Bassick High, Trumbull High, Fairchild Wheeler Magnet, Harding High, Ansonia High, Joel Barlow, Stratford High, Lauralton Hall, Bunnell High, Hamden High.

In addition, as a special guest for this year’s event, Rob Franek, one of the nation’s leading experts on colleges and college admission, will be on-hand to offer his advice to area teens and their parents. Franek’s talk — on how to choose, get into and get financial aid from colleges — will be held at 5:45 p.m.

More information about the Southern Connecticut College fair may be found at ctcollegefair.com.

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Stratford Partnerships for Youth and Families and Stratford Public Schools presents the third annual Talk Early, Talk Often Freshman Forum for current Stratford freshmen students and their families on Wednesday, March 30, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Bunnell High School Auditorium. The Freshman Forum is a prevention forum to address the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and youth marijuana use, with real life stories and information.

All freshmen students and their families in Stratford are encouraged to attend the Freshman Forum. All freshmen who attend will receive a homework pass.

For more information, contact Stratford High School main office at 203-385-4230 or Bunnell High School main office at 203-385-4250.

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Bunnell High School hosted a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event on March 13 featuring live music by Mr.Connor, raffles, a bake sale, and 20 shavees. More than $3,000 was raised for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help cure childhood cancer.

Bunnell High School students Allyson Lazarre, grade 10; Michelle Rodriguez, grade 11; Angelina LaMonica, grade 11; Samanntha Velazquez, grade 12.

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Connecticut History Day (CHD) 2016 Fairfield Regional Contest was held Saturday, March 19 at Sacred Heart University.

Connecticut History Day is an affiliate of National History Day® (NHD), a year-long academic program where middle and high school students conduct research on historical topics of interest. These research-based projects are entered into Regional Contests, where the top student projects have the opportunity to advance to the CHD State Contest. Student researchers, who compete at either the middle or high school level, may choose to enter into one of five CHD categories as an individual or within a group: performance, website, research paper, documentary or exhibit.

While students may base their project on a historical topic of their choosing, it must connect to the 2016 NHD theme of Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. Through CHD, students in grades 6-12 are able to learn critical thinking, problem solving, research and presentation skills, while also developing a sense of responsibility for involvement in the democratic process.

Students who placed within the top three spots in each category will move on to the CHD State Contest taking place on April 30 at Central Connecticut State University.

Connecticut History Day is led by Connecticut’s Old State House in downtown Hartford, with support from the Connecticut League of History Organizations and Connecticut Humanities’ website, ConnecticutHistory.org. Major funding for CHD is provided by Connecticut Humanities. To learn more about Connecticut History Day visit historydayct.org, follow CHD on Facebook and Twitter. The National History Day® website may be viewed at nhd.org.

Below are the Connecticut History Day contest results:

Senior Division

Category: Group Website

First Place: Cracking the Genetic Code: The Story of DNA

Students: Allysa Noccioli, Rebecca McMahon, Meghan Reynolds

School: Stratford High School (Stratford, CT)

Second Place: Walt Disney & The American Dream

Students: Jackie Rhoads, Ella Jarvis, Zoe Lieberman

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Third Place: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Students: Hannah Roseme, Gabriela Vega

School:  Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Individual Website

First Place: Working Dogs

Students: Rebecca Lee

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Second Place: Islamophobia

Students: Nicholas Bilotti

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Third Place: Militarization of an Unwanting People

Students: Sofia Gerrard

School:  Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Group Documentary

First Place: The Sherpas: Cultural Exchange in the Shadow of Everest

Students: Brendan Moore, David Tamburri

School: Weston High School (Weston, CT)

Second Place: Panama Canal

Students: Patrick Moore, Thomas Anastos, Hari Nair

School: Wilton High School (Wilton, CT)

Third Place: Leprosy

Students: Sarah Carter, Nicole Arellano

School:  Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Individual Documentary

First Place: R.E. Olds

Students: Christian Myers

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Second Place: Langston Hughes

Students: Peri Kessler

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Third Place: American Immigration Policy 1960s

Students: Matthew Gibson

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Group Performance

First Place: Red Rubber: King Leopold’s Reign of Terror in the Congo Free State

Students: Quinn Barry, Shannon Madden, Claire Langdon, Maddie Langdon, Elena Fernald

School: Pequot Home School (Southport, CT)

Second Place: WASPs and the Flight for Equality

Students: Juliana Salamone, Katherine Hurst, Nicole Wood, Flora Dievenich Braes

School: Greenwich High School (Greenwich, CT)

Third Place: The World Anti-Slavery Conference: The Exchange That Happened . . . and the One That Didn’t

Students: Peter Bound, Paris-Sima Mohammadi, Maxine King, Suzanne Goodnow

School: Greenwich High School (Greenwich, CT)

Category: Individual Performance

First Place: Alexander the Great: The Relentless, Formidable and Influential Conquerer of the Ancient World

Students: James Gikas

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Group Exhibit

First Place: Rosie The Riveter: Women in the Workforce

Students: Isabel Saltzman, Hana Previte, Lauren White, Claire Graham

School: Wilton High School (Wilton, CT)

Second Place: Street Art: The Battle Between Art and Vandalism in

NYC

Students: Monique Ostbye, Bianca Lotti, Sarah Sherts

School:  Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Third Place: FDR and the Jewish Refugees

Students: Julia Abbazia, Sofia Dodaro

School:  Greenwich High School (Greenwich, CT)

Category: Individual Exhibit

First Place: Operation Ajax: 1953 Iranian Coup

Students: Julianna Beal

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Second Place: The Arrogance of Technology

Students: Ndidi Anekwe

School:  Stratford High School (Stratford, CT)

Third Place: Undoing Slavery in Virginia

Students: Bridget French

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Category: Senior Paper

First Place: Gandhi and King

Students: Andrew Brito

School: Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (Stamford, CT)

Second Place: Hell on Wheels: The Staple of the Nation

Students: Jessica Ulbrich

School: Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (Stamford, CT)

Third Place: Encountering the Unprecedented Turning Point in American History

Students: Mia Krishnamurthy

School: Staples High School (Westport, CT)

Junior Division

Category: Group Website

First Place: Operation Paperclip: The Nazi War Criminals that Put a Man on the Moon

Students: Victor de la Pena, Sian Auer

School: Tomlinson Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Second Place: The Battle for Baltimore: The Final Encounter

Students: Nathan Holland, Drew Sutherland, Doug Muratori, Ryan Sokol

School: Region 15 Rochambeau Middle School (Southbury, CT)

Third Place: Exploration of the Moon: Apollo 13, Failure Yet Success

Students: Evelyn Kuo, Joelle Beck

School: Region 15 Rochambeau Middle School (Southbury, CT)

Category: Individual Website

First Place: Gandhi: Exploring Non-Violence

Students: Sneha Sunder

School: Unquowa School (Fairfield, CT)

Second Place: World War I Technology

Students: Logan Neishloss

School: Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Third Place: John D. Rockefeller – The Man Who Built America

Students: Kyle Young

School: Shelton Intermediate School (Shelton,  CT)

Category: Group Documentary

First Place: Discovering The Land: A Life of Nathaniel Brown Palmer

Students: Julia Sexton, Sadie Kinnersley

School: Middlebrook School (Wilton, CT)

Second Place: The German American Bund Encounters Controversy With the American People

Students: Samantha Grayson, Shivaun Mathews

School: Region 15 Memorial Middle School (Middlebury, CT)

Third Place: Leaders of the Underground Railroad: Bridging Racial Gaps

Students: Sam Laskin, Marisa Shorrock, Gabe Sargent, Claudia Fernandez

School: Bedford Middle School (Westport, CT)

Category: Individual Documentary

First Place: Ironclads in the Civil War

Students: Matteo Andres

School: Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Second Place: The Cambodian Killing Fields

Students: Grace Milliman

School: Weston Middle School (Weston, CT)  

Third Place: Miracle of the Holocaust: Exploration of Survival

Students: Rebecca Ronai

School: Weston Middle School (Weston, CT)

Category: Group Performance

First Place: Alexander Hamilton Explores a Financial System for the New Nation of America

Students: Juliana Rodrigues, Samantha Gilbert, Max Bueno, Emily Strickland, Joe Zarif

School: Region 15 Memorial Middle School (Middlebury, CT)

Second Place: Marie Curie

Students: Colleen Cooke, Rose Linkasamy, Rose Luczaj, Caroline Coccaro

School: Roger Ludlowe Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Third Place: The Evolution of Fantasy Sports

Students: Hunter Vogel, Noah Giglietti, Justin Krebs, Alex Jaber

School: Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Category: Group Exhibit

First Place: Margaret Fogarty Rudkin

Students: Hayden Mattus, Morgan Cutler, Devenny Widmer

School: Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Second Place: Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit

Students: Anna Wilder, Aleysha Henry, Ira Boci, Toni Lamparski

School: Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Third Place: Galileo: Exploring the Universe

Students: Sona Kocinsky, Supriya Ganti

School: Madison Middle School (Trumbull, CT)

Category: Individual Exhibit

First Place: The Pequot War

Students: Chris Belden

School: Shelton Intermediate School (Shelton, CT)

Second Place: General Burgogne

Students: Eric Young

School: Tomlinson Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Third Place: Without Stones There is No Arch: Marco Polo and the Bonding of Two Continents

Students: Nick Taubenheim

School: Bedford Middle School (Westport, CT)

Category: Junior Paper

First Place: The Manhattan Project

Students: Jasmine Conley

School:  Roger Ludlowe Middle School (Fairfield, CT)

Second Place:  Barbara McClintock: Jumping into the Future        

Students: Haven Hunt

School:  Academy at Little River Farm (Redding, CT)

Third Place: World War II: Woman Encounters of Opportunities

Students: Caroline Depalma

School:  Rochambeau Middle School (Southbury, CT)

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