Derby Public Library congratulates 2026 scholarship winner

Derby Public Library would like to offer a massive congratulations to Genesis Alvarado of Derby, 2026 Winner of Derby Public Library’s High School Scholarship Award. 

She will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall, and we wish her all the best in her studies!

Shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Winner of Derby Public Library scholarship essay contest congratulated

DERBY - The winner of Derby Public Library's 2025 Senior Scholarship essay is Julissa Flores! 

Please congratulate her on this accomplishment as she steps into the next phase of her educational journey! 

She is a graduate of Derby High School who currently manages a Dunkin Donuts in the valley and will be majoring in business and Marketing at Pace University in the fall.

Julissa expressed her love and appreciation of the library with such incredible eloquence:

"Libraries have been more than just a place filled with books for me—they have been a sanctuary, a second home, and a guiding light in my life. From a young age, I found comfort within the walls of my local library, a place where my curiosity was encouraged, and my dreams felt within reach. Libraries have provided me with knowledge, inspiration, and a sense of belonging, shaping me into the person I am today."

She went on to say....

"The library gave me access to a treasure trove of knowledge, fueling my intellectual curiosity and fostering a passion for reading that has carried me through every stage of my education.

And finally....

"Libraries are more than just buildings—they are pillars of education, growth, and community. Their impact on my life has been immeasurable, and I know they will continue to inspire and empower generations to come. Through libraries, I have discovered my potential, expanded my horizons, and developed a lifelong love for learning."

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

*Congratulations, Julissa, and all the best to you as you start your education at Pace University!  

Congratulations to Seymour student on winning AnSeOx Rotary scholarship

AnSeOx Rotary Treasurer Richard Knoll congratulates the 2024 scholarship winner from Seymour, Devin Cronin, who will be continuing her environmental engineering studies at UCONN this fall. 

While busy with school, Devin still finds time to volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, the Lymphoma Society, and several clubs around campus, truly embodying Rotary's motto, Service Above Self. 

Congratulations!

This is shared from the AnSeOx Rotary Club Facebook page.

Ansonia School Readiness Pre-K to raise funds in honor of student's life

Social media threat forces lockdown of Ansonia High School; juvenile arrested

ANSONIA - Ansonia High School was placed into lockdown today after the Ansonia Police Department’s School Resource Officer stationed at the school was notified at 11 a.m. of a threat made on social media towards the school. 

Working in conjunction with the Ansonia Board of Education the school was placed into lockdown and students were safely dismissed from the school. 

During the investigation, a suspect was identified and placed under arrest. 

The suspect, a 14 year-old male, a student at the school, was charged with Threatening First Degree and Breach of Peace Second Degree and referred to juvenile authorities. 

This was an isolated incident, Lt. Patrick Lynch said in a written release.

Dr. Joseph DiBacco, Superintendent of Schools, released the following statement: 

“Ansonia Public Schools in collaboration with the Ansonia Police Department will not tolerate any behaviors/actions that put our students, staff, and community at risk. Today’s response was to an Ansonia student’s actions; swift and immediate action will be taken - the appropriate consequences will be administered up to and including expulsion and arrest.”

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Seymour Pink unveils winning 2019 T-Shirt design

Morgan Mehaylo / Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - Each year Seymour Pink holds a contest where a local student designs the nonprofit organization's annual T-shirt.
This year the winning artist is Morgan Mehaylo. Her design was chosen for the official 2019 Seymour Pink T-shirt. 
It reads "Together we are stronger than any battle." 
Morgan will graduate in June from Seymour High School and will attend Central Connecticut State University in the fall.

Long and short sleeve shirts are available at the Seymour Pink Gift Shop, 3 Franklin St.

*Congratulations to Morgan on her winning design!

Congratulations to Ansonia High School senior on national scholarship

To attend Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Ansonia High School senior Kaitlyn Caple

ANSONIA - Kaitlyn Caple, a senior at Ansonia High School, has been selected as a National Honor Society Scholarship semifinalist. 

She is the first AHS student to win this prestigious award, chosen from more than 11,000 applicants this year. 
She will receive a $3,200 scholarship toward higher education.

Kaitlyn, known as “Kait” at AHS, has been President of her class all four years, is Vice President of the National Honor Society, and has been a Student Representative to the Ansonia Board of Education for two years. She is a two-sport athlete, having been a cheerleader for four years and member of the tennis team for four years, serving as captain the past two. She has two part-time jobs. Her community service work is extensive and reaches back more than a decade. 

So, when does this 18-year-old student sleep? Kait laughs and said she fits it in and tries to be very organized in order to juggle her many responsibilities. 

Her smile is infectious as she talks about life at Ansonia High School and her next life - attending The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

“Here at Ansonia High School, it is a nice environment. That’s what I was looking for in a college,” she said. 

Catholic University offers numerous community service activities, and she plans to jump into a few. But what attracted her the most was the university’s staff. “Every teacher at Ansonia High School works to challenge us, because they want the best for us. That’s what I feel I will also get [at Catholic University].”

According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals – which is the parent organization of the National Honor Society – Kait was picked for the scholarship because she exemplifies the four pillars of the National Honor Society: scholarship, service, leadership and character. 
She said she tried to volunteer for the Holy Rosary Italian Festival when she was six years old, but was told she was too young. “The priest told my mother I would have to wait at least until I was seven. So I did.”

What encouraged her to volunteer so much of her time? She said she is the youngest of three and she “just wanted to be like my two brothers. Everything they did, I wanted to do.” And she wanted to do more. 

In addition to volunteering at Holy Rosary Church since she was seven, she has joined numerous clubs at AHS, including founding the Junior State of America Club at AHS as well as serving as the regional Director of Activism. She also is Co-President of the Valley United Way High School Volunteer Council and Youth Leadership group.

It was JSA that led her to serving on the Ansonia Board of Education. Kait said she appeared at a board meeting to ask for permission for the club to go on several field trips. After speaking to the board, she was asked to serve as their first Student Representative. “It has been one of the coolest things I have ever done,” she said. She is now breaking in a new representative, AHS junior Lexi Brinkmann. 

“Kait has always been self-motivated and driven,” says Rachel Sopko, English teacher and National Honor Society adviser. “Kait has an innate desire to help others, and this shows in all that she does. Whenever we need a volunteer for something, Kait is always the first to step up. She has been an outstanding member of our community, and I know that she will do great things at The Catholic University of America. It has been a pleasure getting to know her over the years, and I am so proud of all that she has accomplished. She truly proves that thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” 

As for the scholarship she has won, Kait said it was an extensive application, but she is grateful that she did it because she can use the money. Nationally, only 575 students were selected as semifinalists in this NHS Scholarship Program. Kait will be studying electrical engineering in college and hopes to earn a master’s degree in engineering management. She knows her leadership experience at Ansonia High and in the community has shaped her future - and she is forever grateful.

For more information about the National Honor Society, the scholarship, and the 2019 recipients, visit  www.nhs.us.


This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

*Congratulations to Kait on her achievements and all the best in her future endeavors!

Ansonia student congratulated on CT spelling bee participation

Sharing from Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page:

Congratulations go to Molly O’Brien for representing John G. Prendergast School at the Connecticut Spelling Bee in Hartford! She made it to the second round! 
Great job Molly!

Ansonia student congratulated on Sikorsky Credit Union internship

Maliqa Mosley-Williams

Congratulations Maliqa Mosley-Williams! 
Maliqa has been selected as a Sikorsky Credit Union Intern for the 2019-2020 school year. 
She joins senior Destiny Walker as a bank intern this year. Bank Interns are trained Sikorsky staff members responsible for promoting financial literacy, the AHS Branch of Sikorsky Credit Union, and the Sikorsky Credit Union Scholarship Program. 
Interns also work in the Stratford, Milford, Seymour, or Shelton branches on weekends.

*Post is shared from the Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page.

Seymour girl collecting socks; donation bins at community center, shop

 Seymour resident Lulu is collecting new  socks. 

Donation bins for new socks are located in Seymour at the Community Center, 20 Pine St., and at Lizzie's Corner, 36 Bank St.


Lulu deserves to be commended for working to help the less fortunate in our community!

Derby student wins second place in statewide road-safety poster contest

Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski, Mrs. Rudus, Sofia Rudus, Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan.

   Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman congratulates Sofia. 

Sofia's safety poster.

Sharing this info from the Derby Police Department Facebook page:

This week, April 9-13, is National Work Zone Awareness Week.

This year Sofia Rudus, a fourth grade Bradley School student, received second place (Grades 2-4) in this year’s statewide Roadway Safety Poster Contest. 

Students in Grades K-6 were asked to design a poster to illustrate ways in which they think road users can impact roadway safety.

The winners were recognized by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and DOT Commissioner James P. Redecker along with representatives from local public works departments, Department of Motor Vehicles, state and local police, and public safety agencies.

We would like to congratulate Sofia for her award and for proudly representing Derby!

Seymour 4th grader collects 107 coats for St. Vincent De Paul in Derby

Sharing info from Seymour Public Schools' Facebook page:

SEYMOUR- In December, Chatfield-LoPresti School fourth grader Jerren Farrison held a coat drive to benefit St. Vincent De Paul in Derby. 
Jerren collected 107 coats. 
Thank you, Jerren, for this very fine effort and thank you to the community in supporting this wonderful cause.

Boy Scout beautifies Ansonia park for Eagle project

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

Veterans’ Memorial Park in downtown is looking finer thanks to a beautification effort by city resident and Ansonia High School student Jason Edwards. 
Jason has been involved in Scouting for several years and is a member of Holy Rosary Church’s Venturing Crew 77. 
He hopes this project will help him earn Scouting’s highest honor, the coveted Eagle Scout. Only 5 percent of Scouts have earned this award.

His park improvement initiative included raising funds for a new entrance sign, assorted landscaping, including flower boxes, mulching, planting of nearly 20 Arborvitae trees, and a half dozen bird houses added for good measure.

Jason said that Scouting “has taught him great skills such as cooking, personal management, financing, and physical fitness.”

The Mayor’s office and residents of Ansonia would like to extend to Jason a big Thank You for your effort.


Congratulations to Jason Edwards on a job well done! 

Seymour High School athlete congratulated

Sharing this post from the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour's Facebook page:


"Congratulations to Seymour High School senior Faith Thurmond on scoring her 1000th career point in high school basketball on January 13th versus Ansonia!"

Seymour High School senior earns title of 'commended student'

SEYMOUR - Seymour High School Principal James Freund announced Friday that senior Gurman Singh has been named a "Commended Student" in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.  

A Letter of Commendation from Seymour High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corp., which conducts the program, will be presented by Freund to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 "Commended Students" throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  

"Commended Students" placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2017 competition by taking a 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named "Commended Students" have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” a spokesperson for NMSC said. 

“These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.” 

Freund said, "We are very proud of Gurman's accomplishments; his future is very bright. I can't wait to see where it will lead him." 

This is a press release from Rich Kearns, Seymour Public Schools' Director of Security. 

Seymour High School student wins scholarship at charity golf classic

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities recently were awarded scholarships at The Kennedy Center 25th Annual Charity Golf Classic. Selection is based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Martin D. Schwartz, right, President/CEO of The Kennedy Center, presented Seymour High School student Hunter Cripps with a scholarship at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk. / Contributed photo

            

NORWALK  - This year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic was full of many milestones.  
Not only did we commemorate our Silver Anniversary with over 25 years of great golfing memories, but we celebrated 25 years of helping people with disabilities as well as inspiring our junior golfers who play annually in the tournament. 
Nearly 90 golfers swung their clubs for charity in one of the only tournaments in the state where junior golfers play with an adult foursome. 

This tournament teed off at Shorehaven Golf Club and raised over $32,700 for underfunded programs provided by The Kennedy Center. 
Since its inception, the tournament has contributed more than $638,000 for the benefit of children and adults with disabilities in the community to live a productive and fulfilling life. 

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities were awarded scholarships based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Junior golfers aged 15 through 18 played for free in this scramble-format, 18-hole classic. In total, nearly 500 junior golfers from Connecticut have received more than $240,000 in scholarship money. 

The Junior Scholarship and Title Sponsors of the Silver Anniversary of the Classic were the families of Diane Thompson and Chip Carpenter of Sandy Hook, and Julie and Doug Conley of Olney, Md., in memory of Fred and Fran Ahlbin. 
Other major sponsors deserving credit for their generosity included: Merit Insurance in Shelton as the Presenting Sponsor; R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Shelton as the Championship Sponsor; All American Waste, Donahue& Brown, LLC in Fairfield, The Hartford Insurance, and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of CT, all Invitational Sponsors; and People’s United Bank as the Golf Ball Sponsor. 
Co-chairs of the golf classic were Trumbull residents Stephen Donahue and Sean Carroll. The Probus Club also provided invaluable volunteer support.   
“This Greater Bridgeport civic organization assists organizations that serve people with disabilities and has a proud history of helping The Kennedy Center in many ways for over two decades,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. 

2,400 served each year
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves 2,400 individuals annually. 
The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. 
The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.   
Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information. The following area high school students (listed alphabetically by community) received junior golf scholarships in this year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic:

Bethel                         Spencer Olson

                                   

Monroe                       Emma Breyan

               Emily Hammer

                                   Kyle Immel

New Canaan               Tessa Piontkowski

Newtown                     Colin Patrick

                                   

North Haven              Sophie Velez

Seymour                     Hunter Cripps

Trumbull                     Alexa Brown

                                   Grace McLean

Weston                       Halley Melito

                                   Tyler Melito

                                               

Westport                     Anelise Browne 

                                    B.K. Browne 

                                    Noah Lomnitz

                                                            

Wilton                         Nora Noel Nolan        

                                               

Woodbury                   Anthony Eanniello


This is a press release from The Kennedy Center.

Ansonia teen to attend West Point summer seminar

ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School junior Sean Coyle will attend the Summer Leaders Experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York later this month.

Coyle, of Ansonia, will be among 1,000 students to have an opportunity to experience life at West Point. 

Attendees live in the Cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. 

The one-week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives in general.

All attendees participate in virtual-reality war simulation, and military and physical fitness training. In addition each student selects three of the 15 offered workshops.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, coeducational, federally funded undergraduate college located 50 miles north of New York City. 

A preeminent leader development institution, West Point was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering. Since then, West Point has grown in size and stature, but remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America's Army.


This post is taken from a press release.