Seymour Middle School graduates wished all the best

Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017 at Seymour Middle School.

Sharing from the Facebook page of Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller:

"Onward and upward..... best of luck to the 8th grade class of the Seymour Middle School."

Ansonia Middle School presents prizes to graduates

ANSONIA – Commencement prizes were awarded to Ansonia Middle School eighth graders during a program on June 12 in the Richard Nicolari Auditorium. 

        They were:

Ansonia Middle School Prize, for outstanding scholastic achievement, to the highest ranking graduates: Kendyl Auddino and Michael Szewczyk

Ansonia Federation of Teachers Local 1012 Prize, for highest average in algebra: Lisa Marie Shehada and Dylan Keefe. 

Ansonia Administrators’ Organization Award, for highest average in language arts: Michael Swewczyk and Tessa Peluso. 

Ansonia Middle School Principals’ Award, for special recognition: Madison Dirgo and Abagail Kabat.

Ansonia Middle School Science Prize, for outstanding achievement: Michael Szewczyk and Kendyl Auddino.

Ansonia Middle School Special Services Prize: Jonathan Cibulsky and Jonathan Perez.

Raymond Steeves Award, for most improved in academics and citizenship: Reign Bernard and Nathalie Rivera.

Walter Richter Memorial Award, given by Hilltop Hose Co. #5, for outstanding effort: Zachary Anderson and Monica Wojcik.

Seymour “Bob” Spanier Memorial Awards, given by Hilltop Hose Co. #5, for improvement in math and volunteerism: Angelis DeJesus and Aiya Chahid.

Knights of Columbus - Holy Rosary Council Award, for the most motivated and conscientious: Gabriella Gjoni and Emily Garofalo.

Ansonia American Legion Post 50 Award, for good citizenship, patriotism and spirit: Joshua Tyler and Christopher Sheehy.

Ansonia Middle School Awards, for outstanding achievement: Amaya Hernandez and Abagail Kabat (art); Reign Bernard and Christopher Sheehy (music); Reign Bernard and Jenna Malino (P.E.); Michael Szewczyk and Nathaniel Collazo (health); and Angelina LaRiviere-Gambino and Hector Hernandez (computers).

Bright Lights Musicals, LLC award, for outstanding drama students: Reign Bernard, Aiya Chahid and Joshua Tyler.

ESL Award, for greatest improvement and effort in the study of English: Katherine Lopez and Stephany Espinal.

AMS Social Studies Prize: Michael Szewczyk and Monica Wojcik.

AMS Math Prize: Zackary Anderson and Jeremy Diaz.

Thelma Komisar Award, for greatest improvement in Reading: Iyona Arocho and Nicholas Silva.

Julian Taylor Awards, for top African-American students on each team: Chicago Rivers Jr. and Johzara Bey.

Ernest M. Grant Memorial Scholarship Award, to the second highest ranking African-American girl and boy on each team: Brianna Tindall, Tre Ragin, Kaniya Dangerfield and Tywan Ward.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

Congratulations to all the awardees and best of luck in high school!

174 graduate from Ansonia Middle School

Ansonia Middle School's top two graduates are Kendyl
Auddino, left, and Michael Szewczyk./ Submitted photo

ANSONIA - A total of 174 eighth grade students participated in a Commencement Program at Ansonia Middle School June 12 in the Richard Nicolari Auditorium. 
The program was followed by a reception for students and their families. 

Interim Principal Dr. Michael Marotto announced the top two graduates of the class: Michael Szewczyk of Team 8-East, who delivered the future history of the class, and Kendyl Auddino of Team 8-West, who gave the welcoming address. 

Michael, son of Myra and Peter Szewczyk, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society at AMS. In the community, he volunteers at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, where he helps to feed the animals, and he has helped out by cleaning the Riverwalk. Michael is a member of the Ansonia U-14 soccer team. He has also been a member of Boy Scout Troop 3 for several years and plans to actively participate in Boy Scouts until he attains the rank of Eagle Scout. Michael’s advice to next year’s eighth graders is to “work hard and enjoy middle school while it lasts.” He will be attending Ansonia High School in the fall and is interested in the finance field. 

Kendyl, daughter of Michael and Lisa Auddino, is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society at AMS. She has been a Student of the Month and was a member of the Yearbook Club. In the community, she has worked at a fundraiser for Emmett O’Brien School and volunttered for the St. Joseph’s carnival. 
She enjoys swimming, reading, painting and coloring and walking her dog, Andre. Her advice to the incoming Grade 8 class is, “Do your work and keep your grades up. Pay attention to your teachers and listen to them. At the same time, have fun. These years go by fast. Cherish the memories and friendships you make. Most important, give respect to get respect.” 

Kendyl will attend Emmett O’Brien Technical High School next year, and she is interested in becoming a pediatrician.

Other speakers during the commencement included Aiya Chahid, who led the Pledge of Allegiance; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone; and Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti. Lisa Marie Shehada announced the yearbook dedication to eighth grade social studies teacher Roger Daigle.

Eighty-five students earned gold seals for earning grades of 85 percent or higher throughout the year. An asterisk before their names indicates those students:

Anastasia Alvarez, *William Joel Amaya, *Zachary Anderson, *Colin Arnold, Iyona Makayla Arocho, *Kendyl Nicole Auddino, Zachary Baillargeon, Martina Lynn Beattie, *Eric Belko, Jacob M. Belko, Christopher Belko, Kyle Berger, *Reign Ayanna Bernard, *Rodney A. Betances, *Jahzara K. Bey, *Matthew John Blackwell, *Anastazia Maria Bogen, *Andrew John Bosworth, *Nickolas Lee Boutwell, Alandaisa E. Boyd, Alandrea Boyd, Jamesyn Brothers, Rodrick Brown, Justice Kiyree Bryant, Tyler Buck, *Dorjana Bujaj, De'Vonne Rasheed Callands, *Aiya Meryam Chahid, *Jonathan William Cibulsky, Micaiah Isaiah Clinton, *Nate Collazo, Eddie D. Colon, Michael Alexander Contreras, *Hailey Nicole Cook, Jordan Credle, Brandon S. Cromwell, Jr., Karitzia Cruz. 

Kaniya Aniesse Dangerfield, Justin Steven Davis, *Angelis Cristina DeJesus, Mya Deprofio, * Amelia Rose Dias, Jeremy A. Diaz, Johnny A. Diaz, *Anthony Thomas DiBlasi, *Remo Pasquale DiLorenzo, Nicholas DiPalma, *Madison Elizabeth Dirgo, Javon Edmund Dojnia, *Jake Daniel Douglas, Javaughn D. Douglas, Dalton Durkin, Stephany Espinal Jimenez, Ayala Sana Espinet, Da'Siah Fagan, Dante James Fazio, Matthew Robert Feliciano, *Krystalee Fernandez, *George Fischer, Jr., Leshay Monique Flowers, Kevin Flynn, Deondre Foggie, *Julia Katherine Fraulo. 

*Emily Eileen Garofalo, Jamel Gause, *Victoria Ellen Gavin, James Gillison, *Gabriella Gjoni, *Halie Elizabeth Gliford, *Joseph Gokey, *Omar Alexander Gonzalez, *Isra Hanaif, *Shania Monet Hankins, Shawne Maurice Hayes, *Amaya Nadine Hernandez, *Hector Luis Hernandez, *Moises Hernandez, Jr., *Kennedy Jordan Hopkins, *Marques Ethen James, *Isabella Januario, *Shanelle Cheila Jimenez, Jalen Julius Johnson, *Abagail Rylee' Kabat, *Dylan J. Keefe, *Gregory Kwalek, Erica Lynn Kyttle, *Savanah Marie Lake, Isaiah Landrau, *Angelina Ann LaRiviere-Gambino, *Linh Phuong Le, Christian LeFrancois, Jonnell Lindsay, Scarlett Haily Lockwood, *Katherine Mishelle Lopez, *Alison Destiny Lopez. 

*Angela Marie Luna Mejia, *Fernanda Macias, Mikayla Mackey, Abigail Magarin, *Nicholas Alexander Maielli, *Jenna Malino, Daries J. Manigo, Jayden Robert Marganski, *Ashley Ana Marquez, Luz Nayelli Martinez, Nicholas J. Martinez, *Jacknell Aly Matos, Keivon G. McCoy, *Sean Padraic McDermott, *Katlyn P. Mehlinger, Ja'Ceri Cor'Shawn Miller, Jasmine Arielle Moore-Coverson, *Erik Jeremiah Mota, Myriam Mynti, Christopher J. Negron Lopez, Norris A. Nelson, Cristopher Nunez, Michael David O'Neill, *Axavier Pagan, Gabriella Gilda Palumbo, *Justin Parks, *Tessa I. Peluso, Danny Perez, *Jonathan Perez, *Addison Phillips, *Joshua Andrei Fuentes Pintacasi, Jordin Jaseph Pisanelli, Giustino Pizzola, Talya Rose Porretti, *Kristo A. Praseutsack. 

*Tre' Antonio Ragin, *Gabriel Immanuel Rico, Ada Rivera, *Nathalie Rose Rivera, *Juan Rivera, Chicago Roberts Rivers, Jr., *Lillian Paige Romanowski, *Thomas Rowland, *Joseph E. Rykowski, Jayda Rose Sanchez, Troy Sanders, Hector Manuel Santiago, Tyler Gabriel Shaw-Cousins, *Christopher Joseph Sheehy, *Lisa Marie Shehada, Nicolas Alejandro Silva, Jeremy Robert E Smith, Zuhaily Raquel Soto, *Lindsey Stolze, Tyler A. Strmiska, *Michael P. Szewczyk. 

*Jacob Ryan Tackach, Noah Thomas, *Bryanna Angel Tindall, *Alivia Rose Toth, Alicia Jolene Toth-Weaver, Jayden Amir Tucker, Teyvon Tucker, *Joshua Kevin Tyler, Jayden Thomas Uhlig, Luis Antonio Vazquez, Jr., Nyasia Victoria Vega, Joshua Sergio Vega, *Ashley Nicole Velez, Xavier Velleco, *Alexis Marie Vienneau, Tywan B. Ward, Jr., *Anna Louise Waterbury, Sonkaly Weamie, Janiyah Tierra Williams, Cephus T. Williams, *Monica Wojcik, Anthony Mark Yezik, Jr., *Andrew R. Zinko.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools. 

'Turnback Tuesday' features well-known Derby doctor, author

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Dr. Ambrose Beardsley. Dr. Beardsley was co-author of "The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880", which is more widely known as "The Orcutt History of Derby." 
He was born in Monroe on Oct. 23, 1811 and graduated from the Medical College in Pittsfield, Mass. in 1834. He then moved to Birmingham (aka Downtown Derby) in 1835 to set up his practice. He actually played a pivotal role in the case of serial murderer Lydia Sherman. Sadly, Dr. Beardsley died in October of 1884 at the age of 73.


*Thanks to the Derby Public Library for sharing this local history lesson!

Ansonia to host Main Street Marketplace at Veterans Park

Recuperation journey: Out and about

OK, I'm proud. 
I took a lovely walk (3/4 mile?) around the neighborhood.

Now what's for lunch? 
This new kidney has given me a good appetite!

Citizen's Engine Company in Seymour to hold carnival at park

Sharing info from a Facebook event page:

"The 2nd Annual Citizens' Engine Co. No. 2 Carnival will take place from July 13 through July 15 at our new location, French Memorial Park in Seymour! 

"If you had fun last year, you will have a blast this year! Bigger and better, this year's carnival will be fun for the whole family! 
Food, games, rides, beer and wine, ride bracelets, and more! Save the dates and please come out and join us!"

Boys & Girls Club presents annual awards at dinner in Monroe

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley presented two Raymond P. Lavietes Service to Youth Awards at its annual dinner June 15 at the Stone Barn Restaurant in Monroe. 

The Raymond P. Lavietes Service to Youth Award is the highest honor the Boys & Girls Club can bestow on an individual.
It is presented to those worthy of recognition due to their involvement in serving the youth of our community. 

Nominees exhibit outstanding leadership and untiring dedication to youth activities, a distinguished record in volunteer service with an emphasis on youth, and may be former Club members who have made notable accomplishments which would serve as a model to the youth of today.

The first recipient, Susan “Sooz” DeLeon, has been actively involved in the Boys & Girls Club for nearly 20 years. The Club became a second home to her children when she moved to Shelton, a recently divorced mom of two who was also working full-time. She was content that the Club was not only a safe environment but had counselors and mentors that were there to help. Both of her children became involved in every aspect of the Club, including work as they grew older. 
She joined the Board as a way to give back and never left. Sooz has served as a Board member for 17 years, including a three-year term as President. She is currently serving as Chairman of the Board. She has served on most committees, including the John “Red” Larsen Golf Classic, Herbie Rollinson Memorial 5K Run-Walk, Executive, Personnel, and Governance, as well as serving as chairman of our 60th Anniversary Gala committee last year.
Her passion isn’t limited to the Boys & Girls Club though. She’s also organized and participated in other organizations’ fundraising events. From the March of Dimes Walk for Kids to Team’s Men Who Cook, Sooz is more than willing to help out wherever she’s needed. 
At Iroquois Pipeline Operating Co., where she’s worked for the past 25 years as a Paralegal and Compliance Specialist, Sooz has been part of Iroquois’ annual United Way campaign committee for more than 20 years. Iroquois also strongly believes in community support; the company received our Champion of Youth Award in 2009.

Sooz received the Women Making a Difference in the Valley award in 2013. The tribute recognizes “outstanding women” who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer. Sooz deeply cares for the community in which she lives and works, and we are all the better for it.

'Community matters'

The second recipient is Joseph A. Pagliaro, Jr. known throughout the Valley for his extensive civic engagement. “Community matters” - that’s what Joseph A. Pagliaro Sr., always told Joe and his sister. 
Joe’s father set a shining example for his children to follow, and Joe has taken that example to heart. 
His involvement with the community began with the Shelton Board of Education, the Parent Child Resource Center, and Junior Achievement Valley Division. After his father’s death in 2004, Joe joined the Board of Directors and never looked back. When he was approached in 2013 to be Board President, he accepted without hesitation, happy to serve kids in any way he could.
Since then Joe has served on the personnel, executive, and development committees, and is now in the midst of his second term as Board President. He has been a generous supporter of the Back-a-Kid annual appeal each year, as well as the annual Service to Youth Awards. 
A graduate of St. Joseph High School class of 1986 and Sacred Heart University 1990, earning a BS in Political Science, Joe went on to intern for Congressman John G. Rowland from 1989-1992, including Rowland’s first run for Governor.
In addition to his support of our Club, he has continued his service with the Valley United Way, the Valley Community Foundation, the Gift of Life Foundation, St. Lawrence Parish Council, St. Joseph’s High School, The Recreation Camp, Griffin Hospital, and St. Catherine Academy. “Many people have said to me, it is our responsibility to grow and serve the community that has served us in the past,” Joe says. 
And like his father, he has been touched and changed by those he has been helping for the past 23 years.

Champion of Youth Four Champion of Youth Awards were also presented at the dinner. 
This is the highest honor our Boys & Girls Club can bestow on a company/organization. It is presented to those worthy of recognition due to their involvement in serving the youth of our community. Nominees exhibit outstanding leadership and untiring dedication to youth activities, a distinguished record in volunteer service with an emphasis on youth, and exceptional support of our Boys & Girls Club. 
The award recipients are: Town of Seymour- Kurt Miller, Family of Dr. Edward G. Bednar, Blanchette Sporting Goods (Shelton), Curtiss Ryan Honda (Shelton).

From the Heart Awards
In addition, four From the Heart Awards were presented. This award recognizes individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in supporting our organization, contributing their time, talent, and/or treasure in ways that directly impact our members. Their special acts of caring are often the touch that makes their chosen program, event, or unit a success. 
The award recipients are: Don North, (Shelton), City Stitchers (Derby), Lewis Jewelers (Ansonia), and Doggie Styles Pet Grooming (Shelton).

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 


This is a press release from the club.

Fundraiser at Shelton restaurant to support Ansonia Animal Shelter

Newsletter features coffee hour with Logan at Valley Diner in Derby

Dear readers,

In the the latest Valley Voice newsletter Ralph writes about a coffee hour state Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, held Friday at the Valley Diner in Derby. 
We also have photos from Sunday's Eucharistic Procession in downtown Derby.

Please click here to read all about it.

~ Patti