Lewis named
to national board
PUTNAM — While many Connecticut students will be honored with end-of -year school awards, Putnam High School Junior Jozzlynn Lewis has earned a coveted spot on a national teen board.
Each year, Students Against Destructive Decisions or SADD, provides an opportunity for select students to join an exciting advocacy-training program called SADD SPEAKs. SADD state coordinator for Connecticut, the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, recently announced Lewis’ appointment.
“Jozzlynn was one of only 15 young people from across the country who was chosen. It is quite an honor!” said Jill Spineti, president and CEO, The Governor’s Prevention Partnership (The Partnership). “This is also significant for The Partnership because this is the first time in 10 years that we have had a youth from Connecticut involved in a national SADD initiative.”
“While underage drinking has dropped 8.9 percent, that’s not good enough,” states Spineti. “More than 50 percent of Connecticut’s youth continue to deal with issues of drug use, family alcoholism, bullying and child abuse. We partner with SADD and exemplary students such as Jozzlynn to help children avoid all substances to ensure a healthier future.”
Lewis, 17, underwent a competitive selection process which focused on her experience, leadership qualities, public speaking ability, and other criteria.
She was recognized as a dynamic student leader who has also been involved in her local substance abuse prevention coalition, Putnam PRIDE, for many years, along with her mother, Cheryl Lewis.
Her interest in SADD stems from seeing alcohol and substance use in her own school.
“Sometimes kids come to class under the influence,” explains Lewis. “This has a negative influence on all of the students, not just the ones who use. I became involved in SADD in order to make a difference and do my part to make things better.”
Lewis’ commitment and dedication certainly impressed the judging panel. “Jozzlynn is deserving of this high honor. Her deep desire to empower her peers and change her community will serve her well, as she works to implement policy change at the local, state, and national level,” said Dawn Teixeira, SADD president and chief executive officer. “Motivated young people are a true catalyst for social change.”
“I am so very proud of Jozzlynn and her dedication to SADD, as well as her commitment to wanting to make Putnam High School and our community a safer place to learn and live,” adds Lisa Mooney, school social worker and SADD advisor at Putnam High School.
DAYVILLE — David Grassini from Danielson was selected as Westview Health Care Center’s employee of the month for June. Grassini works in the Maintenance Department at the facility and has been employed at the center since October 2015. “I just want to thank everyone who nominated me,” said Grassini. “After a short seven months since being hired, everyone here has made me feel welcomed and I can honestly say they have become my second family. I would also like to repeat a quote from one of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali: He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Westview Administrator David T. Panteleakos added “David has quickly acclimated to our Westview family and he is a great addition to our team.” In his spare time, Mr. Grassini enjoys playing video games, camping, watching “MMA” mixed martial arts, boxing and wrestling.
Then
This is the First Congregational Church of Pomfret in December 2013 after it was destroyed by fire. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
This is the church last week. Siding is going on.
WOODSTOCK — Two Woodstock Academy students, Brooklyn residents Gabrielle Cavagnet and Vivek Cherian, received scholarships from the Italian American Committee on Education (IACE) to study abroad in Italy.
Each student created a multimedia project in Italian featuring a cultural aspect of Umbria, the Italian region where they will be studying. “Working on my project was one of the most challenging things I’ve had to do in my high school career, but also the most rewarding,” said sophomore Gabrielle Cavagnet. “The most invaluable help came from my teacher, Signora Monahan, who offered endless input and advice.”
IACE only awards 20 scholarships to students from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey each year. “I’m so proud of Vivek and Gabbie, they were up against some tough competition including students who speak Italian at home with their parents and others who have been studying Italian since early middle school,” Italian teacher Melita Monahan remarked. “Knowing the competition only pushed these two to work even harder to produce award winning presentations.”
The scholarship, which covers all expenses except for airline tickets, entails a two and a half week trip to the city of Narni, a beautiful medieval hill town right in the heart of Umbria. The students will take Italian lessons in the morning that focus on particular cultural sites that they will then visit in the afternoons. “I’m really excited and thankful for this great opportunity to not only learn more about Italy and its culture, but to see it firsthand,” junior Vivek Cherian said.
The Academy’s Italian Honor Society came together to host gelato fund-raisers throughout the year to raise money for the students’ plane tickets. Woodstock’s Fairvue Farm generously donated fresh milk, eggs, and cream to support the society’s fund-raisers. “We are always excited to be able to support activities at The Woodstock Academy,” Diane Miller, owner of Fairvue, said. “We are especially pleased that the Italian Honor Society students have taken it upon themselves to produce a delicious gelato to sell as a fund-raiser using The Farmer’s Cow milk, cream, and eggs.”