PUTNAM — A local girl was the first-place winner of the Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars’ 2016-2017 Voice of Democracy contest.
This year’s theme was “My Responsibility to America.”
Meghan Hebert, a senior at Killingly High School, sponsored by VFW Post & Auxiliary 1523 of Putnam, took first.
Meghan Hebert, will move on to compete with all other state winners across the country for a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Hebert will submit a recording of her reading her essay for the national competition. Over $153,000 is awarded at the national level with each participant receiving at least $1,000. The event takes place in Washington D.C. every February.
In addition, Hebert will be invited to attend the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program held in June 2017.
The weekend long program is designed exclusively for VOD winners and offers them a chance to renew their friendships created in Washington DC as well as visit sites where our nation’s founding fathers began their journey into democracy.
Honored
NEWTON, Mass. — Three local students were named to the Lasell College dean’s list for the Fall semester: Amanda Bennett of N. Grosvenordale; Briana Wrubleski of Quinebaug; Jessica Lindell of Thompson.
College Planning
Nights set
KILLINGLY — CorePlus Federal Credit Union is hosting three free upcoming workshops to educate the community titled “How to Prepare, Pay & Stay in College” with information about Student Choice, the credit union’s Educational Loan program. The information is appropriate for any high school student, particularly juniors and seniors.
The workshops will start with registration at 6 p.m. and the workshop at 6:30 Feb. 9 at Fitch High School, Groton’ March 6 at Norwich Free Academy; and March 7 at Killingly High School. Free and all welcome. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP: 860-886-0576, ext. 3171 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
CorePlus Credit Union offers private student lending solutions to help fill the funding gaps that scholarships, grants and federal aid can leave behind. The Student Choice lending program features an easy, on-line application, lower loan rates, zero origination fees, flexible deferment and repayment options, along with a convenient line of credit that can be used year after year. More details at: www.coreplus.studentchoice.org or call 877-689-1172.
POMFRET — State Representative Pat Boyd (D- Brooklyn, Eastford, Pomfret, Union, Woodstock) has introduced a bill prohibiting the use of coal tar sealants on state highways.
The bill, HB 5884, will help protect the environment and public health by limiting human and wildlife exposure to coal tar sealant.
“This has been an issue discussed greatly in the Town of Pomfret since the summer and after talking with residents of the Longmeadow Farm Estates and the first selectman it became clear to me that the state needs to take the lead on banning coal tar on our roadways,” Rep. Boyd said. “We have the support of the Department of Public Health so I am hopeful that we can get this law passed this session so no other community in Connecticut will have to go through this.”
A public hearing on this bill will be held Feb. 3.
Already two states, Washington and Minnesota have banned coal tar sealants and dozens of other cities and counties in Illinois, Texas, New York, Maryland have also restricted use.
According to surveys conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, “coal-tar-based sealcoat—the black, viscous liquid sprayed or painted on asphalt pavement—is a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in urban areas for large parts of the Nation. Several PAHs are suspected human carcinogens and are toxic to aquatic life.”
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