By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to John Mancini of Putnam.  In his younger days Mancini was a standout Little League player in Putnam.  Today he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and playing cards at the Elks club.

It’s always nice to hear about former residents of Putnam who have gone on to become successful individuals in life.  It makes longtime residents stand up and say “we knew that individual when.”

In 1986 Todd Clark, the son of Edeo Clark and Susan McLane, graduated from Putnam High School.  Much the same as many other students, Clark by his own admission, was an average student who didn’t put his heart into his education.

Now at the age of 45 Clark is making a name for himself in the field of education in the Atlanta area.  According to Clark, he only became serious about education when he was approximately 30 years old.  Since then he’s taken off faster than a NASA rocket to outer space.

The former Putnam four-year football player received the Peter Caplette Award for his dedication to the Clipper gridiron squad as a senior.  He also starred as an indoor and outdoor track performer for the Clippers.  Clark started his college education when he attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where he received a degree in music education.  His interest in music started when he was a trumpet player in the Putnam High School marching band and jazz band and as a member of the school’s chorus.

Since receiving his bachelor’s degree he’s gone on to receive a master’s degree in school administration and a specialist’s degree in teaching and learning.  In February he completed his studies for his PhD, which he’ll officially receive in May. 

Currently, Clark is an elementary music teacher in grades K through five at Hopkins Elementary School.  He’s also working on some very interesting and ambitious plans to open his own education program titled Sovereign Learning Institute.  The concept is to offer an opportunity for a child to receive home schooling away from home.

According to Clark, his goal for his non-profit is to offer parents an alternative in education in which they have for more choice in the education decisions for their children.  In his program parents are involved in selecting the curriculum for their children, where they learn in a safe environment that’s relatively inexpensive.

Clark has been married to his wife, Kyong for 20 years.  They have two children, Allison 19 and Philip.    

Woodstock Academy Student 

Honored by YMCA

The YMCA of Greater Hartford held its 161st Annual Meeting April 23 at the Wallace Stevens Theater of The Hartford Financial Services Group.  In addition to the usual corporate reports and financial updates, the evening also included the presentation of the United Technologies Corporation/YMCA Wesley A. Kuhrt Youth Citizenship Awards to four high school students.

One of the individuals who received an award was Brittany LaFleur of Woodstock Academy.  LaFleur was nominated by one of her teachers, Michelle Raucliffe, who was on hand for the ceremony along with Academy assistant head of school Holly Singleton.

LaFleur was selected based on her participation in numerous helping activities that she volunteers for at the school.  According to the presentation, LaFleur is a student who is always available to assist other students in need as well as being a student leader in a variety of school sponsored activities.  She’s also very active in her church assisting with fund-raising and volunteer efforts to help people in the local area as well as on an international level.

Lafleur is headed to Keene State University in New Hampshire in September where she’ll study education.  Her goal is to someday be an elementary school teacher.  In addition to her academic and helping services activities at the Academy she’s a member of the Centaurs women’s tennis team and a former soccer player.

She was accompanied to the ceremony by her mother Diane Peterson and he older sister Rose.  A number of local individuals involved in establishing the Regional Community YMCA in northeastern Connecticut were also in attendance.  On hand were Betty and Laurence Hale, Dr. Woody Danenhower, Dr. Marc Cerrone and Woodstock Academy trustee Paul Kelly.

Honors

The Connecticut High School Coaches Association will honor 26 coaches from throughout the state at its annual recognition dinner May 8 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.  This is the golden anniversary of the event.  Among the outstanding coaches who will be recognized is Woodstock Academy men’s golf coach Rich Garceau.  Since assuming the reins of the Centaurs’ golf team Garceau has produced conference and state championship teams as well as developing a number of all-state golfers and players who went on to compete on the collegiate level.

Putnam Rotary Club Guest Speaker

Putnam High School athletic director Rick Konieczny was the guest speaker at the Putnam Rotary Club April 29.  Konieczny, who has been in his position for three years, has also served as the girls’ soccer and softball coach during his tenure in Putnam.

Konieczny’s message included explanation on the methods he’s employed over the years as a coach in motivating his players and getting them involved in the team concept.  Although Putnam is small in comparison to many of the schools they compete against, Konieczny assured the Rotarians that Putnam athletes are well prepared to compete when they step on to the field or court.  He also related how he often receives compliments from opposing coaches or fans on the sportsmanship displayed by Putnam athletes.  He was the guest of Putnam Rotarian Atty. Steve Adams.

Pomfret Lions Hit The Links

Jimi Gothreau of the Pomfret Lions Club passes along the word that the group is holding its 2nd Spring Golf Outing on May 17 at Harrisville Golf Course.  The 18-hole scramble event is scheduled to tee off with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m.  The cost is a very reasonable $75 per golfer or $300 per foursome.  The tourney includes cash prizes for the top three teams, closest to the pin contest and most accurate drive.  Golfers will be treated to grinders on the course during play and a post-tournament BBQ.  Proceeds will benefit Pomfret Lions Club charities.

Mayhew Remains Hot at UCAP

Chris Mayhew, the former Woodstock Academy Centaur, is putting the finishing touches on his career at UConn-Avery Point in sterling fashion.  The Pointers, who concluded the regular season at 34-7, are preparing to face Community College of Rhode Island for the right to move on the NJCAA Regional competition.

In a doubleheader split against CCRI Mayhew had four hits, scored three runs and had three runs-batted-in as he led his team to a 12-4 first game victory.  Two of Mayhew’s hits were two-baggers.  In the nightcap, CCRI jumped out in front early and held off UCAP 7-5 despite a home run by Mayhew.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”  Thomas A. Edison

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