Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Ansonia Middle School holds commencement for 190 eighth grade students

Top 2 graduates announced at ceremony
Congratulations to Jere Mae Pintacasi, left, and Anna Msciwujewska, top graduates of Ansonia Middle School. / Contributed photo

ANSONIA – A total of 190 eighth grade students participated in a Commencement Program at Ansonia Middle School June 9 in the auditorium. 
The program was followed by a reception for students and their families.

Co-Principals Amy O’Brien and Terri Goldson also announced the top two graduates of the class: Jere Mae Pintacasi of Team 8-East, who gave the welcoming address, and Anna Msciwujewska of Team 8-West, who delivered the history of the class. 
Jere Mae, daughter of Jeremy and Laksmi Pintacasi, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the AMS Yearbook Committee, and the Human Relations Club. 
She participated in the Regional Spelling Bee and has earned high honors for the past six years. In the community, she has volunteered at the Derby Neck Library, takes piano classes and enjoys reading and writing. 
Her advice to the incoming eighth grade class is to “always get yourself involved in the school [and] never be afraid to try something new.” 
Jere Mae will be attending Ansonia High School next year and is considering pursuing a career in the medical field.
Anna, daughter of Ewa and Wojtek Msciwujewska, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and has been a Student of the Month at AMS. In the community, she has volunteered for St. Joseph Church at its bingo events and food drives. She also assisted in food drives sponsored by AMS. Anna also enjoys playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. Her advice to the incoming eighth grade class is: “Be yourself and don’t let anyone tell you [that] you can’t do something because you have the power to do anything.” Anna plans to attend Ansonia High next year and is considering a career in the medical field.

Other speakers during the commencement included Ryanne Thomas, who led the Pledge of Allegiance; Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone; and Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti. 
Jere Mae and Maliqa Mosley-Williams announced the yearbook dedication to teacher Jordan Bshara.

One hundred six students earned gold seals for earning grades of 85% or higher throughout the year. An asterisk before their names indicates those students:
*Bianca Isabella Abad, *Branden Rafael Acosta, *Kenneth Adolfo Amaya Ramos, Justice Tyler Antrum, *Alper Arslan, *Jakalynn M. Badillo, *Ashmal Rehan Baig, Jahad Banton, Kyle Douglas Barone, *Gina Marie Beattie, Hailey Marie Bellido, *Rachel Elizabeth Bendkowski, *Nicholas Robert Benoit, Zyel Carlos Bernabe, *Alicha Rosemarie Bernard, *Selena Bishara, *Kyana Bispat, *Jack Edward Boland, *Idalyz Bordoy, Lawrence David Boutwell, *Madison Rose Boylan, *Lexi Mychaela Brinkmann, *Emma Marie Brown, *Brixhilda Bujaj, *Anaisa Burgos, *Haneefah Burrell, *Garrett E. Cafaro, *Tyler L. Cafaro, *Hawa Souleya Camara, *Alyssa Ann Cammarata, Alexander Carlos Capeles, *Jayda-Lynne Cardiff, Briana Marie Casson, *Stefanie Catale, *Rachel Lynne Chapman, Devin G. Childs, *Faiza Chowdhury, Andrew William Clark, Jasmin Lynn Cole, Angelina Collado, *Shawn Michael Conklin, *Joseph H. Cortez, *Austin Gregory Couture, *Wesley Stewart Couture, *Nadia Coward, *Konrad Michal Czerwonka.
*Gianni DeCiucis, Jeremiah Sigfredo DeJesus, Jahzir Denby, Jonathan R. Diamond, *Janeliz Michelle Diaz, Amir Sakai Dina, *Elijah Denyn Ellis, *Tamia Adrianna Esson, Nikayla Christiana Evans, *Skylar Dawn Evans, *Laura Eye, Damien Alexander Fagan, *Kynowshka Figueroa-Mojica, *Sara Rosemary Frashuer, Teniya Gandy, *Pamela Garcia, Genesis L. Gaulin, Gabrielle Lynn Gavin, *Ian R. Gifford, *Makayla Godfrey, *Nadia Anyssa Gomes-Araujo, *Jose Gonzalez, *Manuel Gonzalez, Daniel Gorham, Travis Mustasa Gray, *Mayaliah Barrientos Gutierrez, Manuel Antonio Guzman, Christian Haddad, *Talliaya Hamilton, Jontea Hargrove, Shykeem Harmon, Kayleigh Hedley, Carlos L Hernandez, Mikayla E. Hernandez, *Lizette Monica Herrschaft, *Isaiah Naji Hicks, Corey Alexander Andrew Hooks, *David A. Hudak, *Remy Violety Hurd.

Ronnie Michael James, *Nikola Jaworska, *Haylee Ann Monsella Jett, *William Thomas Kaye, *Tabitha Carol Kinney, *Busra Nur Koc, Nicholas Krom-Kirby, *Julie LaPrade, *Kaitlyn LaRiviere, *Kiersten LaRue, *Evan Joseph Laskey, *Brian Vu Le, Kadence Nicole Leidy, Emmanuel Tomas Lopez, Juan Luis Lopez, *Matthew Joshua Lundeen, *Damian Lyman, Bryan Magana, *Gabriel Magarin, Evan Malerba, Alexia Marie Maraday, *Adiana Joy Marenyi, Destiney Marquez, Justin Marrero, *Idalisse Martinez, *Antonella Mazzacco, Jasmine Nicole McSweeney, Solmarie Melendez, *Alan Mercado, David Michaud, *Kiani Ariyah Michel, *Cheyenne Brooke Mitchell-Robinson, *Ashanti Moales, *Joseph John Mongillo, *Debra-Lynne Morales, *Maliqa Kris-Tina Mosley-Williams, *Anna Msciwujewska, *Isabella Mulas, *Trinity Nguyen, *Emily Marie Ocampo-Caballero.


This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

Ansonia High School seniors awarded prizes at graduation



ANSONIA – The following graduation prizes were announced during commencement exercises June 9 for Ansonia High School Class of 2016:

CLASS OF 1940 AWARD: Ryan Amato
THE MICHAEL J. ADANTI MEMORIAL COMMUNITY FUND: Mary Louis Medero
THE CARL R. AJELLO PRIZE: Alyssa Orlofsky
RONALD J. ALDO MEMORIAL AWARD: Nicholas Krajewski
AMERICAN LEGION POST #50 PRIZE: Rhianna Bennett
THE JOSEPH “JAY” AMICO ARTISTIC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Rebecca Kardos and Aaron Minopoli
THE ANSONIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, LOCAL 1012: Deesaveit Kim
ANSONIA HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF PRIZE: Oscar Monteagudo
ANSONIA HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF CHARGER FOREVER AWARD:
Matthew Madar
ANSONIA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S AWARD:  Jake Palmieri
ANSONIA HIGH SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT ORGANIZATION AWARD: William Phipps, Martin Mikos and Joseph Szewczyk  
ANSONIA ROD & GUN CLUB: Alexandria Miller and James Stewart 
ANSONIA ROTARY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP:  Haley Arruda
VALLEY REALTORS ASSOCIATION PRIZE: Truc Minh Nguyen and Matthew Madar
ASSUMPTION HOME-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION: Delaney Wisnewski and Juan Sandoval
THE JOHN F. BLAKE, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Matthew Madar  
THE ROBERT BLOUIN/AFT SPANISH PRIZE: Lewis Michael
THE RACHAEL and WILL BROGADIER PRIZE: Sash-Shawnna Rubie  & Aaron Minopoli
JOHN COUGHLIN MEMORIAL PRIZE: Michael Caple
THE ALFRED R. COX, AHS GRIDIRON MEMORIAL PRIZE: Frank DeLibro
JOHN SMOLEN DANIELSKY BUSINESS AWARD: Eldi Shahini
THE FRANK ERLINGHEUSER MEMORIAL AWARD: Ryan Amato
THE WILLIAMS EVANS SR. MEMORIAL AWARD:  Michael Caple
THE SALVATORE FERLA MEMORIAL AWARD:  Catherine Ashelford
THE RUTH H. FEINBERG CONNORS PRINCIPAL'S  AWARD: Alyssa Orlofsky
MAJOR FRANK H. & MARY ALICE FERDIAN MEMORIAL PRIZE: Jake Palmieri
THE ANNA MAY FINNUCAN AWARD: Marlia Maiolo
THE ANN MARIE GLENN MEMORIAL AWARD: Rebecca Pimenta
THE NANCY CROWLEY GOLINO MEMORIAL PRIZE: William Phipps 
THE PETER S. GOUMAS PRESIDENTIAL AWARD: Jake Palmieri
ARTHUR GRAY, AHS GRIDIRON CLUB AWARD: Arthur DeLibro
THE COACH JOHN HUNT MEMORIAL PRIZE: Tyler Bailey
THE CHARLES J. "BOOTS" JARVIS PRIZE: Tyler Bailey
THE DENNIS KELLER MEMORIAL AWARD: Michael Rhodes
JOHN KEVALIS MEMORIAL AWARD: Austin Turecek
A.C. KING  MEMORIAL AWARD: Kayla Duncan
WINIFRED BENNETT KERINS MEMORIAL PRIZE: Eldi Shahini and Erika Poremba
THE RUSSELL & JOANNE KILEY KULAWIZ FUND: Martin Mikos
THE CLASS OF ’52 ROBERT A. KYASKY & JOHN W. SHORTELL PRIZE: Rorey Lawlor
CLASS OF 1990 – SHANNON RENKER LELACHEUR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
Truc Nguyen
THE PATRICK MACNAMARA MEMORIAL PRIZE:  Arthur DeLibro and Jake Palmieri
IRENE MCALLISTER MEMORIAL PRIZE: Oscar Monteagudo
NYAH MARCANO and LEAH RONDON MEMORIAL AWARD: Taylor Healey
MISS ANSONIA SOFTBALL LEAGUE AWARD:  Taylor Healey
NORWOODS ATHLETIC CLUB SCHOLARSHIP: Arthur DeLibro and Frank DeLibro
ANN O’NEIL AWARD: Matthew Madar
THE PATRICIA ANN PANITZ MEMORIAL AWARD: Grady Lawlor
THE ANTHONY PICCOLO – BOY WHO GAVE IT ALL – MEMORIAL AWARD:
William Phipps
THE ANTHONY PICCOLO – GIRL WHO CAME TO PLAY – MEMORIAL AWARD:
Gabrielle Belenchia
THE ANTHONY PICCOLO – INSPIRATION – MEMORIAL AWARD: Tyrell McCall
THE JOSEPH E. POTTER MEMORIAL AWARD: Lewis Michael and Haley Arruda 
THE JOHN QUAKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Ashley Velleco
THE DUSTY RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD: Cody O’Brien
THE CHARLEEN RICCIO MEMORIAL PRIZE:  Alexandria Miller
THE V. GERARD RYAN SCHOLARSHIP: Taylor Healey
THE JOHN A. SABULIS, PINE CLASS OF 1944, MEMORIAL AWARD: Michael Caple
EDITH SCHOONMAKER MEMORIAL PRIZE: Serena Bellamy  
THE DOROTHY SHORTELL MEMORIAL AWARD: Gabrielle Belenchia
MATTHEW “POP SHORTELL”, AHS GRIDIRON CLUB ATHLETIC AWARD: Grady Lawlor
THE LUBA SOLDRA MEMORIAL GRADUATION PRIZE: Alyssa Orlofsky
THE MARY HAUSSLER SOUKUP MEMORIAL ART AWARD: Michael Spinelli
THE JEANNE SOVINSKI MEMORIAL AWARD:  Adrielle Sanon
JULIAN A. TAYLOR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  Adreeana Cox
MINNIE TOLLES SCHOLARSHIP: Courtney Goncalo
THE GEORGE VARTELAS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: William Phipps  
THE PETER VARTELAS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:  Dennis Ballester
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP: Amanda Chirsky
JAMES WILKINS LODGE #9 GRADUATION PRIZE: Carolina Espinosa
THE YUDKIN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP: Dennis Ballester, Brandon Benoit, Joesph Szewczyk, Adreeana Cox, Truc Nguyen, Matthew Madar, Rebecca Vives,  Austin Turecek
THE ALBERT J. & BARBARA  YURAVICH MEMORIAL AWARD:  Jake Palmieri
THE ROBERT E. ZURAW SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:  Johneil Clark
THE STEPHEN F. ZURAW MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:   Arthur DeLibro
ECMC SCHOLARSHIPS: Akire Gaines, Alexandria Miller, David Perez, Jude Aquila, Moazzam Ashraf, Thai Slauson, Tyler Bailey, and Weethney Marsielle.



This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.


Ansonia mayor, state lawmakers award wartime service medals to 32 veterans

Recognition ceremony held at Ansonia Armory
State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco
ANSONIA - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) recently helped award Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals to 32 military veterans from Beacon Falls, Bethany, Woodbridge, Ansonia, and Derby as part of his ongoing commitment to recognizing the service and sacrifice of Connecticut’s fighting men and women.
Crisco helped award medals to veterans from Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflicts during a 90-minute ceremony at the Ansonia Armory. 

He was joined by state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, and state Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly.
“We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave, and because of all the sacrifices you have made for our freedom,” Crisco told a crowd of veterans and their family members. 
“We will never forget your sacrifice; it never gets old, and we thank you eternally.”
“Honoring Connecticut’s wartime veterans is the right thing to do,” Gentile said. “Recognizing these heroes for their sacrifices is an expression of our gratitude.  They put their lives on the line in service to the United States and Connecticut. I am happy to be part of today’s award ceremony.” 
The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal was created by the state legislature in 2005 to honor all Connecticut veterans with qualifying wartime military service. 
Prior to 2005, the state had not honored its veterans with a wartime service medal since World War I.

For a Wartime Service Medal application, please visit:

For a gallery of photos from the Ansonia event, and a video, please visit:



This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Ansonia High School awards diplomas to 119 seniors


ANSONIA – Diplomas were awarded to 119 members of the Class of 2016 from Ansonia High School during commencement exercises June 9 at Jarvis Field. 

The graduates are as follows (one asterisk indicates students who ranked in the top 20% of the class; two asterisks after the name indicates those receiving a Diploma of Distinction): 

Shonda Alives, Ryan Michael Amato**, Jude Marie Aquila, Hernan Arroyo, Haley Christine  Arruda*, Catherine R. Ashelford, Moazzam Ashraf, Tajik Shawn Bagley, Tyler J. Bailey, Dennis C. Ballester, Rudy Beauchard, Gabrielle R. Belenchia, Serena Nicole Bellamy, Rhianna Alexis Bennett, Brandon M. Benoit, Sharaja Blake, Kevin Brien, Joseph Burgos, Michael  J. Caple*, Monique C. Cepeda, Amanda Michelle Chirsky, Johneil Francette Clarke, Daniel Constante  Falconi, Adreena  Chantel Cox, Gianna Marie Crisante, Brianna Celine Cruz, Dante D'Ambrosio, Yohanny DeLeon R., Arthur R. Delibero*, Frank F. Delibero, GianCarlos Diaz, Kayla Yolanda Duncan.

Justin Elderton, Dana Catherine Ellis, Carolina M. Espinosa, Marcos Espinosa, Samantha Joan Esposito, Emily E. Eye, Angel J. Falero, Sabrina Fitzgerald, Akire Charnay Shavonne Gaines, Deon T. Gant, Elizabeth Ann Gela, Marjeta Gjoni, Zinedine Jose Gomes-Martins, Courtney Rae Goncalo, Giovanni Hardy, Mikayla Jean Harris, Tatyannah Yvonne Alexandra Haynes, Taylor Healey*, Casey Hromjak, Anthony William Jankovsky, Imonie C. Jones, Laurel Marie Joseph, Rebecca Kardos, Deesaveit Srey Kim**, Nicholas Krajewski*, Grady T. Lawlor, Rorey Edward Lawlor*, Rahquan R. Lewis-Marrow, Dorothy Love, Rebecca Lung. 

Mercedes C. MacLellan, Matthew D. Madar**, Marlia Serena Maiolo, Ian Malaspina, Weethney Alexandria Marseille, Jacob Martinez, Tyrell M. McCall, Mary-Louise Medero, Aiyanna Jade Menna, Lewis Michael, Martin John Mikos III*, Alexandria Victoria Miller*, Aaron Minopoli, Oscar Eduardo Monteagudo, Jessica Ann Moscato*, Truc Minh Nguyen**, Zachariah Robert Noble, Cody Matthew O'Brien, Alyssa Marie Orlofsky**, Angel Tristan Ortiz, Jake A. Palmieri**, Dylan J. Pardy, Joshua K. Parks, David Perez, William Lawton Phipps*, Rebekah A. Pimenta*, Erika Marie Poremba*, Joseph Porter. 

Damisha Danea Randolph, David L. Rentas, Francisco Reyes, Michael D. Rhodes*, Armanni Rivera, Bryanna N. Robertson, Jennifer L. Robison, Victor Rodriguez, Olivia Louise Rogers, Dylan James Ruane, Sash-Shawnna Rubie, Emma Nicole-Lola Rydzy, Robert Michael Saddler, Juan C. Sandoval, Adrielle Sanon, Kurt D. Schuchmann, Klea Seferi, Eldi Shahini, Nicole G. Signore, Gary John Sirico, Thai T. Slauson, Ian Smith, Dante Solis, Michael R. Spinelli*, James Kelso Stewart IV, Lillianna Katherine Suner, Joseph B. Szewczyk**, Zachary T. Tackach, Austin J. Turecek**, Ashley Velleco*, Jared Thomas Venson, Rebecca L. Vives*, Georgette Weamie, Delaney Megan Wisniewski*, and Keith Edward Zdep Jr.


Congratulations to all the graduates and best wishes in the future!


Newsletter features Beat the Heat 5K, Seymour Founders' Day recap



Dear readers,

The Valley Voice Monday edition is out and you can find it here

Happy reading!

Cooking competition stirs creativity at Griffin Hospital in Derby

From left: Arlinda Peraj of Seymour, Anthony Nakis of Derby, Alyssa Teixeira of Shelton, and Haylee Johnson of Ansonia competed at the third annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition Finals. / Contributed photo



DERBY - Sixth grader Haylee Johnson of Ansonia, was top chef at the third annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition.
Johnson’s Butternut Squash French Toast was named best by a panel of judges that included elected officials and representatives from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton at Griffin Hospital May 17. 

Johnson’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy entries by Alyssa Teixeira of Shelton, Anthony Nakis of Derby, and Arlinda Pera, of Seymour.
“Each year, the contest provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and to encourage a passion for both healthy eating and cooking within the local community,” said Amy Bethge, MPH, VITAHLS Coordinator at The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The four contestants advanced to the finals by winning regional competitions in their school district. 
All finalists received a gift tote from Massaro Community Farm filled with a children's cookbook, a $20 gift certificate for produce from the farm, movie passes to Seymour Entertainment Cinemas, a personalized apron, and other items. 
As the grand prize winner, Johnson also received a gift certificate to SportsCenter of Connecticut in Shelton and a Nutri Ninja Blender.

The event was hosted by Chef Anne Gallagher and Diane D'Isidori, MD, co-founders of the Plow to Plate coalition, which works to combine healthcare leadership and community-based programs to promote local foods and agriculture as a critical means to well-being and disease prevention.

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Shelton school districts. 
Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Get quackin' and buy a duck for river race on Derby Day



SHELTON - Stop by Spooner House this week and next to purchase a duck race raffle ticket.
The office is located at 30 Todd Road and open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tickets will be available until June 24.
The raffle is sponsored by St. Mary-St. Michael School Development Committee. The school is in Derby.

$5 a ticket - $2 supports Spooner House

Duck Race:
When: June 25 - Derby Day
Where: Derby/Shelton Bridge - Bridge Street
Time: 2 p.m.
Rubber ducks are numbered and will race down the Housatonic River - first 65 to cross the finish line win prizes!

Ticket holders need not be present to win.

Top Prizes (65 total):

1. $1,000
2. 4 Disney Park Hopper Passes
3. $500
4. 50" LED HDTV
5. Apple Watch

List of prizes and winners will be posted at https://stmarystmichaelct.eduk12.net.


This information is taken from an email from Spooner House.