DeLucia is honored at Westview
DAYVILLE — Lisa DeLucia was named Westview’s February Employee of the Month.  As a teacher assistant at Westview Child Care Center, she is a steward of young minds at the newest member of the Westview family. She looks to highlight the overall positive purpose of every project with advertent encouragement.  She ensures that the students find joy in expanding their minds through core learning opportunities, and alternately, seeks to expand their intellect with abstract creativity and playful experiences.
She began as a teacher assistant at Westview Child Care Center in September 2023.  When Lisa began at Westview Child Care Center she worked with the infants. Now in the toddler room, DeLucia joins her students on their journey.  
Residing in Griswold, one of her favorite activities is hiking around local parks and trails; exploring a variety of locations across the seasons.  For viewing entertainment, she likes to keep it light by watching comedies. She is the mother of Austin, Natalie, and Hailey, and she likes to spend time with them as often as possible.
Katy Holzer, director of Westview Child Care Center, said: “At the Westview Child Care Center, we take great pride in the dedication and enthusiasm that our team brings to our program.  Their commitment to creating a nurturing and engaging environment ensures that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.Recognizing outstanding staff, like Lisa, highlights the passion and care that make our center a special place for children and families.  It’s always rewarding to celebrate the hard work of those who make a meaningful impact every day.”

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Woodstock Academy 
launches CNA course 
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy launched a college-level Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) course in conjunction with Connecticut State Community College: Quinebaug Valley (CT-State QV) for students to develop hands-on experience and jumpstart their careers in the healthcare field. The Academic Committee approved the course in Spring 2024, and began work on developing partnerships and prepping the lab. A significant portion of the funds for this course have been provided through a restricted endowment in the WA Foundation.
Last fall, the Academy finalized its collaboration with CT-State QV, which played a crucial role in establishing the CNA lab on WA’s campus and securing state approval. The partnership also led to hiring instructor Ashly Meyer, a highly experienced CNA who also teaches at Tourtellotte and Putnam high schools while maintaining her work as a night-shift CNA.
Eighteen students are currently enrolled in the program, making it one of the largest of its kind in the region. Students engage in classroom instruction and hands-on lab practice to hone essential skills. They will complete 30 clinical hours in nursing home or hospital settings, supervised by Meyer, to gain real-world experience. Upon completing the program, students will sit for the Prometric exam, becoming eligible for state certification as CNAs.
“In addition to the course and labwork, there is a guest speaker series every Friday, when a local medical professional in a variety of medical fields will share their experiences, background, and journey to their profession with the class, providing inspiration and career guidance,” said Dean of Academics Dr. Michael Harten.
As the program continues to grow, the school aims to establish additional clinical placement partnerships with local nursing homes to further enhance student learning experiences.
“We’re thrilled to offer our students this exceptional learning opportunity,” said Head of School Chris Sandford. “The combination of classroom learning, hands-on experience, and professional mentorship prepares them for meaningful careers in healthcare and beyond.”

Elliott takes over for Saucier as Woodstock
Academy head football coach
Humbled.
It was the emotion that Connor Elliott said he experienced after talking with Woodstock Academy athletic director Sean Saucier last week.
In that meeting, Saucier relayed to Elliott that he had hoped to step aside as head football coach of the Centaurs and asked Elliott if he would be interested in taking over.
“To be thought of that way by someone whom I consider to be a mentor, not only on the football field, but in my life, it’s humbling in that way. We had peripheral conversations around the topic this winter and I told Sean that I feel as ready for it as I ever have, I don’t know if I would have said that two years ago,” Elliott said.
But last spring, Elliott took over the baseball program from Brian Murphy and guided Woodstock Academy to its first-ever state championship in the sport.
It gave the 28-year-old East Lyme High and UConn grad confidence.
Elliott was officially offered and accepted the job as Woodstock head football coach on Tuesday morning.
It ends a long association with the sport for Saucier who will continue in his role as the school’s athletic director.
The former Putnam High football player returned to the area after a stint in the U.S. Navy and was a long-time assistant coach for the Hyde School football program.
He took over the reins of that program in 2006 and guided the Wolfpack to the Mike Atkins Prep School football bowl game in 2014.
When Hyde School announced it was consolidating operations in Maine, Saucier opted to stay close to home and was offered the Woodstock Academy job in 2017.
He led the Centaurs to an ECC Div. II title in 2021.
In the process, he also became the school’s athletic director and being both AD and football coach is “monumentally difficult.”
“It’s slightly complicated but to boil it down, professional and family goals,” Saucier said when asked why he was giving up the helm of the football team. ”Football has become a year-round commitment. When you are pulled in different directions, it’s hard to meet that obligation. After 24 falls of doing it, it feels like the right time. I’m proud of what I have done and what the staff has done. We’ve had, in my opinion, some really spectacular years and I think there are a few more coming.”
That optimism is due to the fact that he feels the right person is in place.
Elliott has served as the team’s offensive coordinator for the last six seasons.
“Connor has worked very hard to put himself in this position and he has certainly earned it. Passing it to another coach who will be in the building (Elliott teaches social studies) and has a great role at the school is perfect. The infrastructure- the weight room, the film room – is in place. We have everything we need to be successful and we have some young talent coming and a staff that loves to be here.”
Saucier said he will still be around the program
He will likely still do a lot of the logistical things that athletic directors do and will also help with the equipment and behind-the- scenes tasks such as setting up the field.
Elliott did have a test run as head coach.
He briefly took over for Saucier as head coach when a family illness took Saucier away from the sidelines for a couple of games in 2022.
“It opened my eyes as to how much actually goes into it that you don’t realize until you actually step into that role. But it did take a couple more years before I think I was going to be ready to handle that. I think baseball helped with that, too. I feel more comfortable. I don’t know if I fully know what I’m getting myself into but I’m definitely more comfortable,” Elliott said.
He thinks he will be ready for the rapid change from baseball in the spring to football in the fall.
After all, he had done it throughout his youth years, playing both sports.
“I’m curious to see how that will go from a coaching perspective but I’m lucky to have great coaches on both staffs where I know that I can trust them to get whatever needs to be done – done,” Elliott said.
Elliott said he expects Mike Harpin to remain as defensive coordinator of the Centaurs with Cahan Quinn, Raleigh Brailsford, Jesse Bousquet and Nick Bessette expected to remain on as well. Will Elliott still serve as the team’s play-caller? “I have trust issues,” Elliott said with a laugh. “When I took over for that short span a couple of years ago, I remember thinking I would never call plays and be head coach at the same time. We will see. There will be some conversations.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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caption:
New Coach
Woodstock Academy athletic director and former head football coach Sean Saucier, left, congratulates his successor as head football coach at the school, Connor Elliott. Photo courtesy of The Woodstock Academy.