caption:

 

 

Winner

Kaylynn Horan of Putnam Middle School holds her award for winning Senator Mae Flexer's essay contest. Flexer is at right. Horan stands with her family. Courtesy photo.

 

6th grade student Kaylynn Horan

named essay contest winner

PUTNAM — June 7 Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) awarded Putnam Middle School student Kaylynn Horan first place in the Senator’s “What I Love About My Community “essay contest.

Senator Flexer sponsored the essay contest in which middle school students from each town in the 29th Senatorial District were given the opportunity to enter a piece highlighting the unique character of our communities and region.

Horan’s essay detailed the many events and locations throughout the town that make Putnam a special place, including the “spectacular fireworks over the river,” the Memorial Day and Holiday Dazzle Light Parade and downtown Putnam’s historic Cargill Falls which frequently draw blue herons to the banks of the Quinebaug River.

“Kaylynn’s knowledge about both the current events in Putnam and the town’s history was compelling. It was clear from her well-written essay that she and her family take advantage of everything that the town has to offer, from local events to school programs, and that it has made her life more fulfilling,” said Flexer. “It was inspiring to read the many wonderful essays written by Putnam Middle School students and to see through the eyes of young people how many opportunities have been made available in this town.”

During a sixth grade assembly at the Putnam Middle School auditorium, Flexer presented Kaylynn with an official citation from the General Assembly in honor of her winning essay. Her mother Monique Horan, as well as her sister Kira and grandparents Ed and Mary Seney, were present. Seney, a former longtime superintendent of schools in Woodstock, was “thrilled” that his granddaughter’s essay received first place.

Kaylynn ended her essay on a humorous note, writing: “I enjoy these and many other things the community of Putnam offers its residents. I also feel very safe in my town because of Manny, the police officer that never sleeps.”