Academy awards
WOODSTOCK — Members of the class of 2023, families, faculty, and the greater Woodstock Academy community gathered in the Loos Center for the Arts on Friday, June 9, for the annual Class Night and Baccalaureate program.
Throughout the evening, soon-to-be graduates were honored with 302 awards and scholarships. Generous donors and community partners contributed to the more than $78,465 awarded to Woodstock Academy students during the event.
By a vote of the senior class, science teacher Melany Gronski was chosen as the inspirational speaker for the Baccalaureate portion of the evening.
Senior class president, Bryn Miller of Woodstock, welcomed the families, guests, and classmates. Senior class treasurer, Davis Simpson of Brooklyn, presented the senior class gift.
147 seniors received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence awarded to students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
2023 Awards and Scholarships
Charlotte Adase: High Achievement in Ceramics 1, Outstanding Achievement in Gallery Management; Aaron Allard: High Achievement in Spanish 6 ACC, High Achievement in Symphonic Band, WAMPA Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship; Mario Alvarez Calvo: Outstanding Achievement in Introduction to Engineering CAD, Outstanding Achievement in Physics; Brooke Arpin: Bethany T. Dauray Memorial Scholarship; Stella Atchinson: High Achievement in Spanish 3 HON; Roman Azzolino: 20 x 30 Art Show, Outstanding Achievement in Drawing 2 ECE; Emilia Babbitt: CR Premier Properties Entrepreneurial Award; Trey Barrett: Outstanding Achievement in Drawing; Ava Basak: High Achievement in Ceramics 1, High Achievement in Forensics; Mikayla Bessette: Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 2 CP; Yehor Bezshchasnyi: Accounting Award, Outstanding Achievement in AP European History; Emma Blanchette: William & Gladys Murdock Scholarship, David & Helen Scholarship, Helen Plassmann Memorial Scholarship; Owen Bland: Nancy Brush Memorial, Eagle Scout Award, High Achievement in Beginning Ancient Greek HON, National Honor Society Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in International Relations; Kayanna Bourassa: Douglas Foisy Memorial Scholarship, High Achievement in Forensics, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 4 Honors; Eileen Breton: High Achievement in Glee Club; Carah Bruce: Woodstock Agricultural Society Fern Phaneuf Memorial Scholarship; Lauren Brule: High Achievement in ECE Calculus, High Achievement in Introduction to Careers; Alyson Bunning: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Make Your Mark Scholarship; Desiree Cabassa: The Academy Humanitarian Scholarship; Tate Chavez: High Achievement in Forensics, Wiltsie Most Improved in Science Award; Jiajun Chen: High Achievement in Drawing 2 ECE; Daniel Chenail: High Achievement in Ceramics 2; Mitchell Child: Head of School Award - 2022/23 School Year, Marvin N. & Susan Weed Sherman Memorial Scholarship; Matthew Chuck: High Achievement in Exploring Multimedia, High Achievement in Guitar 2; Avery Collin: Outstanding Achievement in Digital Drawing; Brianna Connors: High Achievement in Introduction to Careers, Outstanding Achievement in College & Career Readiness, Senexet Grange Helena B. Duffy Scholarship; Gabrielle Couture: American Legion Americanism Award, CABE Student Leadership Award, Community Foundation of Eastern CT Laura Fish-Kelly Scholarship, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship; Ethan Craig: Outstanding 4-Year Achievement in History & Social Sciences, Putnam Lodge #46 Masons Dean E. Bunnell Community Service Award, Gerry Suprenant Memorial Scholarship, President’s Volunteer Service Award; Shannon Cunniff: Congressional Certificate of Merit, Outstanding Achievement in Latin 3, Putnam Rotary Leon Archambault Memorial Scholarship, QVR Rotaract Scholarship, Senior Video Contest - Best Script, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship, Woodstock Agricultural Society Preston T. Roberts Memorial Scholarship, Woodstock Lions Club Scholarship; James D’Alleva-Bochain: Arlene Bradley Memorial Scholarship Science Award, Susan Dorrance Gordon Scholarship Outstanding Math Student, High Achievement in Art 1, High Achievement in Spanish 5 AP ACC, Outstanding 4-Year Achievement in History, Outstanding Achievement in AP Calculus BC, Outstanding Achievement in AP Physics, Richardson (David & Helen) Scholarship, Williams Scholarship Academic Scholarship; Alexis Danila: High Achievement in Culinary Arts, Outstanding Achievement in ECE Statistics, The Town of Woodstock Fire and Life Safety Scholarship sponsored by Jeffco Mfg.; Taylor Danner: Outstanding Achievement in Music Biz, President’s Volunteer Service Award; Carolina DaSilva: Head of School Award - 2022/23 School Year, Eleanor Peterson Lawton Memorial Scholarship, Tri-M Award, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Jesus De La Torre: Outstanding Achievement in Art I, South Campus Community Leader Award; Jaydon Deras: Outstanding Achievement in AP Psychology, High Achievement in AP Calculus BC, Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Science, Outstanding Achievement in Italian 2 HON, Williams Scholarship (Robertson Essay) 1st Place; Jade Desmond: John Conover Memorial Scholarship, High Achievement in Family Foods & Nutrition, Outstanding Achievement in Italian 4 ACC; Hayden Desrosiers: Outstanding Achievement in Introduction to Manufacturing; Gavin Driscoll: German Honor Society Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in German 4 HON; Lennon Favreau: Board of Trustees Academic Committee Service Award, Dr. David Bates/Dr. Rudolph Klare Memorial Scholarship, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Putnam Rotary Ray & Violet Brousseau Memorial Scholarship, TEEG Fran Roy Memorial Scholarship, Williams Scholarship (Robertson Essay) 3rd Place, Williams Scholarship Yale Honor Cup, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Alexandra Flint: High Achievement in 3D Animation; Katie Fortin: High Achievement in Piano 1; Yunlei Ge: Outstanding Achievement in Accounting; Zachary Gessner: High Achievement in Forensics, Outstanding Achievement in International Business; Maximiliano Gonzalez: High Achievement in Piano 1; Chance Graley: High Achievement in Piano 2, Outstanding Achievement in Family & Consumer Science; Kylie Gregory: English Teacher’s Award for Hard Work and Effort; Hadley Grether: High Achievement in Pastry & Baking; Lucas Gustafson: Eagle Scout Award; Collin Hamilton: David Teed Academy Ambassador Award, August Walter “Gus” Loos Memorial Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Multicultural Foods, Senior Video Contest - Best Technical Execution; Teofila Hardy: High Achievement in Digital Drawing, Outstanding Achievement in Introduction to Musical Theatre; Magnolia Hart: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Make Your Mark Scholarship, President’s Volunteer Service Award, The Town of Woodstock Fire and Life Safety Scholarship sponsored by Rogers Corp. & Woodstock Fire Marshall’s Office; Caira Hassett: High Achievement in Pastry & Baking, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Olivia Haynes: High Achievement in Latin 4 ACC; Anna Hryshchenko: High Achievement in College & Career Readiness; Jeong Yeon Hwang: High Achievement in AP Computer Science; Carly Ignacio: Dylan Goulet Memorial Scholarship; Aleena Jafar-DeCesare: Head of School Award - 2022/23 School Year, Outstanding Achievement in Music Technology 2, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 6 ACC, Williams Scholarship (Robertson Essay) 2nd Place; Olivia Jendrewski: President’s Volunteer Service Award; Ricky Jessurun: 20 x 30 Art Show, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship; Hannah Johnson: High Achievement in Photography 1; Nathan Joseph: 20 x 30 Art Show, High Achievement in Drawing 2 ECE, High Achievement in Introduction to Engineering CAD, High Achievement in Music Technology 1, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 2 HON; Jacob Jurnovoy: Laskey Memorial Scholarship, Kenneth Beatson Award; Esmeralda Kasneci: National Honor Society Scholarship; Mario Kasneci: High Achievement in Introduction to Manufacturing; Molly Katkaveck: Outstanding Achievement in Mandarin 1; Jeremiah Keller: High Achievement in Game Design, Edward “Bud” Rondeau Memorial Scholarship; Landen Kuchy: Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Engineering Robotics; Ava Lanoue: Christopher Bradley Christopher Memorial Scholarship; Caitlin LaVallee: High Achievement in Forensics, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 4 ACC, Abraham & Evelyn Rodensky Memorial Award for Excellence in Writing, Kristina Noe Memorial Scholarship; Annika LeBoeuf: 20 x 30 Art Show, David Teed Academy Ambassador Award, High Achievement in Studio Art, Outstanding Achievement in Stop Motion Animation, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Putnam Rotary Ray Brousseau Memorial Scholarship, Senior Video Contest - Best Script; Curtis Lefebvre: 20 x 30 Art Show, Outstanding Achievement in Photography 1; Sydney Lord: Wesley Woronecki Scholarship; Leila MacKinnon: Board of Trustees Student Life Committee Service Award, Charles, Millicent & Richard Noren Memorial Scholarship, President’s Volunteer Service Award, QVR Rotaract Scholarship; Elizabeth Mard: Outstanding Achievement in German 1 HON; Trinity Marrier: High Achievement in Aerospace Engineering; Jack Marshall: Michael Wlaskiewicz Memorial Award; Madison Martinez: High Achievement in Latin 3; Anna Masan: High Achievement in Entrepreneurship; Olivia Mawson: Louise P. Jordan Memorial Outstanding Vocalist Award; Dylan Mayo: Girl Scouts Gold Award, High Achievement in Pastry & Baking, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship; Kaden McCullough-Murphy: Outstanding Achievement in Introduction to Careers; Alexis Mercado: Outstanding Achievement in The Developing Child; Kamden Meyer: German Language Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in German 3 HON, Outstanding Achievement in Music Technology 1; Bryn Miller: Senexet Grange John F. Duffy Scholarship, Woodstock Agricultural Society H. Dexter Young Memorial Scholarship; Elizabeth Morgis: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Jerry Baggish & John Geissler Union School Association Scholarship, Charles Cournoyer Memorial Scholarship; Abigail Morin: Outstanding Achievement in Anatomy & Physiology, Outstanding Achievement in Ceramics 1, Outstanding Achievement in English 4, Outstanding Achievement in Law, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 5 AP ACC; Ella Rose Musumeci: Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Community Scholarship, QRS & Northwoods Judy Nilan Memorial Scholarship, Most Deserving Senior Lucy Ingraham Parkerton Award, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship; Magdalena Myslenski: Kenneth Beatson Award, High Achievement in Concert Band, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 3 Honors; Matthew Myslenski: Eagle Scout Award, Outstanding Achievement in Biology, Williams Scholarship Yale Honor Cup; Elias Newall-Vuillemot: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Armelde Pitre STEM Leadership, Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Angela Newell: High Achievement in Photography 2; Andrew Newton: High Achievement in Culinary Arts; Cormac Nielsen: High Achievement in Spanish 3 HON, Outstanding Achievement in Aerospace Engineering, Outstanding Achievement in Symphonic Band, William L. Parkerton Music Award; Ellie Nunes: Outstanding Achievement in Exploring Multimedia, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship, Woodstock Education Foundation Director’s Award; Maya Orbegozo: High Achievement in Music Technology 2, High Achievement in Stop Motion Animation, Linemaster Switch Business Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Concert Band, Tri-M Silas Bunnel Memorial Scholarship; Abigail Owens: Putnam Lodge #46 Masons Marvin A. Barrett Masonic Memorial Education Award; Paige Owens: Outstanding Achievement in AP Computer Science, Williams Scholarship Academic Scholarship; Noah Page: Outstanding Achievement in Game Design; Nikolina Pandurevic: Board of Trustees Student Life Committee Service Award, Outstanding Achievement in Ceramics 2, South Campus Community Leader Award; Natalia Pavia Zarate: High Achievement in International Business; Jillian Plouffe: High Achievement in Introduction to Musical Theatre, Outstanding Achievement in Mixed Chorus; Kylie Quercia: Outstanding Achievement in History of Rock and Roll; Sophia Quinn: Dylan Goulet Memorial Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Pastry & Baking; Austin Quinney: Eagle Scout Award; Fiona Rigney: David H. Luppi Memorial Scholarship, The Town of Woodstock Fire and Life Safety Scholarship sponsored by Treehouse Brewery; Wyatt Robbie: Most Deserving Senior Nelson Morse Award; Natalie Romano: Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Forensics; Lillian Rossi: Outstanding Achievement in Military History; Aubrey Rumrill: 20 x 30 Art Show; Parker Sallum: High Achievement in Gallery Management; Nathaniel Sarette: Outstanding Achievement in Beginning Ancient Greek HON; Braiden Saucier: O’Brien Group Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship, Senexet Grange Helena B. Duffy Scholarship, Wesley Woronecki Scholarship; Adele Schmidt: High Achievement in German 4 HON ACC, Natalie & Robert W. Randall Memorial Award; Jonathan Sebastian: High Achievement in Digital Media Production; Lillian Sharpe: Elias Farquhar Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Hannah Green Memorial Scholarship, Karen’s Cause Memorial Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Early Childhood Education, Outstanding Achievement in Sign Language, Martha Paul Memorial Scholarship, QRS Compassion Scholarship, WAEA Scholarship; Davis Simpson: American Legion Americanism Award, David Teed Academy Ambassador Award, High Achievement in Spanish 4 ACC; Gianna Smith: High Achievement in Sign Language; Grace Smith: High Achievement in German 3 HON; Aidan Soderman: Head of School Award - 2022/23 School Year, Outstanding Achievement in Digital Media Production; Isabella Sorrentino: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Shirley Bradway Serafin Scholarship, Wakely Foundation Scholarship; Madison Souvigney: Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Community Scholarship; Cameron Stevens: High Achievement in Introduction to Manufacturing; Ciara Stevens: President’s Volunteer Service Award; Isabel Sumner: CABE Student Leadership Award, David Teed Academy Ambassador Award, High Achievement in Photography 1; Linzhuoran Sun: High Achievement in Guitar 1 ; Xin Sun: High Achievement in Spanish 2 HON, Outstanding Achievement in ECE Calculus, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish 1 Honors; Alexandra Thompson: Outstanding Achievement in Prenatal Development & Infancy; Owen Tracy: High Achievement in Ceramics 1, National Honor Society Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Architectural Design, Outstanding Achievement in Studio Art, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Xiaodan Wang: 20 x 30 Art Show, High Achievement in Digital Drawing; Nicholas Webster: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Take Note! Anotonia Brancia Memorial Scholarship, Susan Dorrance Gordon Latin Prize, Outstanding Achievement in Chorale, Outstanding Achievement in Latin 4 ACC, Tri-M Award, Woodstock Academy Music Parents Association Scholarship, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship, Woodstock Lions Club Scholarship; Liam Wilcox: David W. Marsland Memorial Scholarship, Outstanding Achievement in Photography 2, Senexet Grange Helena B. Duffy Scholarship, Woodstock Agricultural Society Scholarship; Roodney Yee: Outstanding Achievement in 3D Animation; Cooper York: Outstanding Achievement in Piano 2; Violet Young: Charles Couture Memorial Award, High Achievement in Music Technology 1, Outstanding Achievement in Music Fundamentals ECE.
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June Vooys, 2 1/2, of Tolland especially liked her firehat.
Showing the Hurst Jaws of Life equipment to an interested youngster.
State Trooper Kyle Faucher and Aruba of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
WOODSTOCK — It all began, said Bungay Fire Brigade Chief David Elliott, last year.
The genesis of the Touch-a-Truck event came from all the fire chiefs wanting to get all the emergency crews together to see what everybody does and possibly use as a recruitment tool.
The idea turned out to be a huge success. This year’s event at Roseland Park turned out even better than last year. This year, with the addition of Roy’s Tree Service as a sponsor, free food was offered.
The first year, Elliott said, “we thought we’d get 200 people. We got 1,000.” He said all the fire departments seem to have taken to the idea.
He said all different types of trucks are available for up-close-and-personal looksees. Of course, kids are “happy to crawl all over.”
Folks get to see a lot of different types of trucks, including emergency vehicles, plus a State Police K9 trained in fire and explosion detection. “People never get a chance to see these types of vehicles up close,” he added.
“This is something we’ll keep up.”
PUTNAM — The Town of Putnam is welcoming Helene “Almost CHER” Masiko at 7 p.m. July 15 at the Rotary Park Bandstand.
River Fire begins after the FREE performance at 8:30p.m. and stays lighted until 10.
“Almost CHER” Alfresco 2023 is sponsored by WIN Waste Innovations and Centreville Bank.
Cher is a timeless, living legend with mass, worldwide appeal, and the “Almost CHER” Show captures every aspect: dead-on LIVE Vocals, Fabulous Replica Costumes and more.
The 30-piece Putnam Festival Orchestra will accompany “Almost CHER.”
After the concert, turn your chairs toward the Quinebaug as the River Fires are lit.
Music for River Fire will be produced by WINY 1350 AM & 97.1 FM while the fires are powered by the Town of Putnam Public Works department.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
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Progress
The Cady Copp Cottage stands in the background as contractors put in a driveway from Rt. 21 to the cottage. More photos on page 8. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Driveway Underway
Left: This is the view of the driveway so far after it has crossed the field on Rt. 21 and is heading into the woods toward the cottage. Above: The Cady Copp Cottage with its new driveway partly finished in front of it. Linda Lemmon photos.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
E. PUTNAM — This driveway will touch the past and the future. One 200-foot long ribbon of gravel will connect the historic Cady Copp Cottage to modern times.
A local contractor began work on a driveway from Rt. 21 to the 18th –century cottage about 10 days ago, according to Town Historian and Cady Copp Cottage Committee Chair Bill Pearsall.
The driveway will go all the way into the woods where the cottage, built in the late 1730s, sits. A parking lot that will accommodate perhaps up to 10 cars will be built between the first and second stone walls that are parallel to Rt. 21.
Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam President John Miller said: “We started that project up and we have funds available to put the driveway in. The outside of the cottage is basically done so then we can start working on the inside.”
The driveway/parking project will cost between $17,000 and $20,000, according to Pearsall. The driveway is being cleared right now. After that, topsoil will be put aside, then rocks will be removed and it will be leveled. Then gravel will be put in. Pearsall said at the rate the contractor is working he anticipates it will be finished within a month, weather permitting.
Miller said the project, on the wish list for many years, is funded with money accumulated from capital campaigns and annual appeals. Pearsall added that donations also helped.
Pearsall said the project will be a boost to a grant being pursued to then turn attention to revitalizing the inside of the cottage. The grant rules call for demonstrating that there is local money available for the grant to match. He added that if the grant matches the local $20,000 being used for the driveway, they should be able to complete interior renovations.
The top priority inside is the rare four-sided fireplace. According to the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office: “At the time of its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, the Cady-Copp House had not been altered since the early 19th century, except for some weathering and damage. The house follows an altered form of the Cape style: the house is place for solar gain in winter, and it has fixed pane attic fenestration, in addition to summer beams and plank sheathing. However, the corner fireplaces are unique to this style. Four of the house’s main rooms are arranged around a chimney in the center of the house, which allows for a fireplace in each room connected to only one chimney and required less structural timber.”
While the upstairs room over the front door is an important part of the building’s history (Manassas Cutler was schooled there), funding to put the stairway to the second floor is probably not in the cards right now. Pearsall called stairs “questionable.” The second floor, he added, is not level. It bows “about 2 feet and we don’t know why.”
Miller said this will be Aspinock’s third museum that will be accessible to the public. “We needed the driveway to be able to refurbish.” After that the cottage will be available for access — tours and education.
Currently Aspinock has the Gertrude C. Warner Boxcar Children Museum, its Research and Display areas inside the Municipal Complex and soon, the Cady-Copp Cottage.
Manassas Cutler was schooled in the Cady Copp Cottage and then created the Northwest Ordinance which helped settle the West, without slavery.
Both the Cady Copp and the Boxcar speak to values from the past — for the future.
Miller said the values Warner wrote about in the Boxcar Children series, “in today’s world, those values resonate.”
Cutler, he added, was another Putnam-related person “whose values were written into a document that started the young U.S. thinking about things like slavery in a different way.”
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