DENISE MERRILL SECRETARY OF THE STATE CONNECTICUT For Immediate Release: June 19, 2012

For more information: Av Harris: (860) 509-6255 Cell: (860) 463-5939

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SECRETARY MERRILL PARTNERS WITH SHOPRITES® OF CONNECTICUT TO HONOR 8TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS FOR EXCELLENCE IN CITIZENSHIP SECRETARY OF THE STATE AWARDS CONNECTICUT SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT. Hartford – Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today released the names of nearly 170 8th and 12th grade students in the state of Connecticut recognized this year for modeling exceptional citizenship in their communities. Among those students recognized for Excellence in Citizenship awards, the most outstanding selected high school senior and 8th grader from each of the five Congressional districts was awarded a monetary scholarship funded by ShopRites® of Connecticut Supermarkets, through donations to the Connecticut Citizenship Fund. Established in 1992, the fund is a not-for-profit arm of the Secretary of the State’s office whose mission is to encourage civic participation. Connecticut schools are encouraged to nominate an 8th or 12th grade student for the honor. Outstanding 8th graders were awarded scholarships of $250, while the exceptional winners among high school seniors won financial scholarships of $1,000 each, sponsored by ShopRites® of Connecticut. “It is such an honor to recognize our brightest stars and the future leaders of our communities,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “It is very encouraging to see young people who are not only serious about their own success, but recognize the importance of giving back to their community. I am sure the parents and teachers of all of our awardees are very proud. With so many model citizens among this state’s 8th and 12th graders, it has not been easy selecting the top contenders. But, I am delighted to honor the selected students for their display of outstanding citizenship. You are role models not only for your younger siblings and peers, but for all of us in public service as well. I am very grateful to ShopRites® of Connecticut Supermarkets for being the Signature Sponsor of the Excellence in Citizenship awards. It is wonderful that together we can reward the good deeds of students who embody the essence of good citizenship in our state.”

Ken Capano, President of Five Star Supermarkets/ShopRite®, said, “We are pleased to support the children in our communities who have exemplified what model citizenship is all about in Connecticut. We are extremely proud of all their efforts and wish them continued success.” The Connecticut Citizenship Fund has a long tradition of enhancing civics education in Connecticut schools, and encouraging civic participation in our wider community. Awards were granted to students who actively participate in community activities, exhibit high levels of scholarship and are strong leaders. Students who won 2012 Excellence in Citizenship Awards in are listed below (photos of some award recipients are available upon request): Office of the Secretary of the State 2012 Excellence in Citizenship Awards Monetary Award Winners 12 Grade Winners Granted $1,000 Scholarship 8th Grade Winners Granted $250 Scholarship th

Congressional District 1 12th Grade: Jennifer Ros, William H. Hall High School, West Hartford 8th Grade: Bethany Kanter, Granby Memorial Middle School, Granby Congressional District 2 12th Grade: Glenn Holmes, Valley Regional High School, Deep River 8th Grade: Olivia Taite Grace Baker, Mansfield Middle School, Storrs Congressional District 3 12th Grade: Sarah Day Chess, Stratford High School, Stratford 8th Grade: Leonid Furaro, Strong Middle School, Durham Congressional District 4 12th Grade: Kenneth L Giangregorio, Shelton High School, Shelton 8th Grade: Jasmine Clark, St. Ann School, Bridgeport Congressional District 5 12th Grade: Michael Mossbarger, Newton High School, Sandy Hook (Newton) 8th Grade: Alexandra Lotko, Newton Middle School, Newton 8th Grade Award Recipients Student Name Alex Callinan Alex Smithline Alexander Rupp-Coppi Alexaner Scaperotta Alyssa Sachs Anna Krowiec Ava Laren Gallo Bennet Sage Brenna Marquis

School Name North Canaan Elementary School Mabelle B Avery Middle School Walter C Polson Middle School Middlebrook School Walsh Intermediate School Joseph Melillo Middle School Hillcrest Middle School Plainfield Central Middle School Captain Nathan Hale Middle School

Town North Canaan Somers Madison Wilton Branford East Haven Trumbull Plainfield Coventry

Brianna Reeves Caitlin Wardlow Cameron Pluta Carley Jagel Daniel DeHay Delaney Ruiz Devon Sharafanowich Drake Corrigan Elena Peters Elizabeth Considine Elizabeth Llanos Emily Hennessey Emma Sanders Francesca McGill Georgios Kutrubis Hazim Korkutovic Isabelle Guilmette Jacob Stuart Carlson James Brino Jared Mihalcik Jennifer Cullers John Matthew Gerber Jon Hagenow Josephine Evan Julia Audibert Julia Mae Allegretti Justin E Marceau Kaleigh Studdert Kendall Ross Keyy Quinn Kristen Dutertre Kyla Barry Lauren Higani Lia Ferri Liam Gallagher Madeleine Boccardi Madison Brown McKenzie Watt Byrne Megan Ritchie Megan Smith Micajah J Smith Michaela Bourey Michella Meheran Mikael Tessema Molly McElroy Nicholas Adamou Nicole Speranzo Olivea Kieffer Olivia Dowiewicz Olivia Triplett Patrick Briscoe Rachel Farney Reanna Sahoo

Stafford Middle Flood Middle School Central Middle School Smith Middle School Timothy Edwards Middle School Lincoln Middle School West Shore Middle School Middlesex Middle School Sage Park Middle School Rippowan Middle School Broadview Middle School Lee H Kellogg School John Read Middle School E C Adams Middle School Nathan Hale Middle School Naylor / CCSU Leadership Academy Portland Middle School Carl C Cutler Middle School Joseph A DePaolo Middle School Har-Bur Middle School Wheeler Middle/High School Roger Ludlowe Middle School Suffield Middle School Wooster Middle School Tyrrell Middle School Pomfret Community School Robert E Fitch Middle School Rochmabeau Middle School Shepaug Valley Middle School Sherman School High Horizons Magnet School Bristol Middle School Madison Middle School Hamden Middle School Whisconier Middle School Amity Regional Middle School-Bathany Saint Aedan/Saint Brendan Catholic School

North Western Regional Middle School #7 Albert D Griswold Middle School Jockey Hollow School Roton Middle School Dr Helen Baldwin Middle School Canton Middle School Park City Magnet Science + Technology Magnet

West Side Middle School Schaghticoke Middle School Tyrrell Middle School Dodd Middle School Hamden Middle School Ledyard Middle School St Rose of Lima School New Fairfield Middle School Carl C Cutler Middle School

Stafford Springs Stratford Greenwich Glastonbury South Windsor Meriden Milford Darien Windsor Stamford Danbury Falls Village Redding Guilford Norwalk Hartford Portland Mystic Southington Burlington North Stonington Fairfield Suffield Stratford Wolcott Pomfret Center Groton Southbury Washington Sherman Bridgeport West Hartford Trumbull Hamden Brookfield Bathany New Haven Winsted Rocky Hill Monroe Norwalk Canterbury Canton Bridgeport Groton New Milford Wolcott Cheshire Hamden Gales Ferry Newtown New Fairfield Mystic

Rose Chelednik Samantha Breier Samantha Hasenbalg Samantha Susanne Aube Samuel Morris Sarah Calamita Sarah Harkins Sloane Rodia Theresa Durkee Timothy Gleacher William T Lesorvage Xhesika Sejdiraj Zachary Lozinak Zachary Wagner

Bethel Middle School Thomaston High School East Granby Middle School Avon Middle School Westbrook Middle School North Branford Intermediate School East Haven Academy Shelton Intermediate School Salem Middle School Torrington Middle School Turn of River Middle School Brooklyn Middle School Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School

Woodbury Middle School

Bethel Thomaston East Granby Avon Westbrook North Branford East Haven Shelton Salem Torrington Stamford Brooklyn New Haven Woodbury

12th Grade Award Recipients Student Name Alec J Lynde Alec M Lessard Alexander Weselcouch Alice Ham Alison Lanzi Alissa Maffuid Amanda E Moore Andrew Danielson Andrew Henderson Andrew Keens Andrew Smyth Ashely Oyola Aubrey Waz Bree Ann Currier Brian Fisher Brian Michalka Carlie Cave Casey Robert Watts Celiann Urena Courtney Lavoie Destiny Harris Devyn Kangas Diana Ramadan Edwin Serrano Elizabeth Sinopoli Emily Perzanoski Emilyann Polzella Emma Blauvelt Erica Proto Genesis Medina Gilmar Queiros Gysel Montufar Jameik Heron Jazmine Nikole Thompson

Jennifer Tatnell

School Name Lyman Hall High School St Joseph High School Nathan Hale-Ray High School Farmington High School Wilton High School Bacon Academy Branford High School Parish Hill Middle/High School Cheshire High School East Lyme High School New Fairfield High School John F Kennedy High School Woodstock Academy Portland High School Nonnewaug High School Bethel High School Montville High School O H Platt High School Bulkeley High School Putnam High School Riverside Eduation Academy Wolcott High School West Haven High School Enlightenment School Henry Abbott Technical High School The Morgan School North Branford High School Somers High School North Haven High School Wilby High School Naugatuck High School James Hillhouse High School A I Prince Technical High School Wilby High School Bunnell High School

Town Wallingford Trumbull Moodus Farmington Wilton Colchester Branford Chaplin Cheshire East Lyme New Fairfield Waterbury Woodstock Portland Woodbury Bethel Oakdale Meriden Hartford Putnam New Haven Wolcott West Haven Waterbury Danbury Clinton North Branford Somers North Haven Waterbury Naugatuck New Haven Hartford Waterbury Stratford

Jessica Barnet Joanna Pagano Joshua Russo Kelly N Roche Leon Peschel Madeline Daly Maggie Finn Marissa Fournier Mary Kraynak Mary Patricia Klein Matthew Oullette Megan Maynard Melanie Cruz Melanie R Badin Michael Bradley Michael Thomas Michael TJ Williams Molly Bushey Morgan E Matt Nevin Ounpuu-Adams Nicholas Boretsky Nicholas Richardi Nicole Damaschi Patrick Curtin Patrick Madley Porter Reim Preeti Srinivason Rachel Roberts Rebecca Borovsky Ricky Crespo Ronan M Lucey Ryan Dickey Sabrina Brown Samantha O'Brien Sarah Amy Hafele Shannon Patricia Burke Shaylah McQueen Stephanie Ortiz Stephanie Orts Taylor Jane Downs Taylor Vann Tessa Mae Roy Victoria Ho Woody Jean Pierre Zachary Holmes

Wolcott High School Daniel Hand High School Francis T Maloney High School The Morgan School Southington High School Danbury High School Torrington High School Norwich Technical High School Ansonia High School Lyme-Old Lyme High School Jonathan Law High School Griswold High School H C Wilcox Technical High School Coginchaug Regional High School Cromwell High School Cheshire High School Northwestern Regional High School RHAM High School Canton High School Bolton High School Daniel Hand High School Mark T Sheehan High School Connecticut IB Academy Trumbull High School East Haven High School Ledyard High School Glastonbury High School Haddam-Killingworth High School Lewis S Mills High School Waterbury Arts Magnet School Conard High School John F Kennedy High School Bloomfield High School Common Ground High School Thomaston High School Conard High School James Hillhouse High School University High School of Science and Engineering

Seymour High School Marianapolis Preparatory School Coventry High School Wheeler Middle/High School Suffield High School Westhill High School Watertown High School

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Wolcott Madison Meriden Clinton Southington Danbury Torrington Norwich Ansonia Old Lyme Milford Griswold Meriden Durham Cromwell Cheshire Winsted Hebron Canton Bolton Madison Wallingford East Hartford Trumbull East Haven Ledyard Glastonbury Higganum Burlington Waterbury West Hartford Waterbury Bloomfield New Haven Thomaston West Hartford New Haven Hartford Seymour Thompson Coventry North Stonington

Suffield Stamford Watertown