 by: Tyler Burgos
Susanne Brush, a teacher and mother in Wethersfield, Connecticut, has been selected as Wethersfield Public School’s Teacher of the Year for her great display of being what some may say is a hero. Mrs. Brush is a very outgoing person and loves her job of being a teacher. But, in this case she was more of a counselor for one student who needed help transitioning schools. Everyone knows transitioning between elementary to middle school can be extremely difficult for some students, but one student was lucky enough to have reached out to a person with a big and caring heart. Mrs. Brush, a second grade teacher from Highcrest Elementary, was contacted by a previous student to help them with transitioning into Silas Deane Middle School because the student was nervous about the new school and surroundings. The transition between 6th to 7th grade is difficult especially when it involves moving schools. It was clear in our conversation that, while Brush is an great teacher, she took on the role of “counselor” as well. Mrs. Brush said, “The 7th grade student had reached out to me saying he was having trouble acclimating to SDMS. so, when Ii had time I talked with his teacher about being able to meet with him during lunch.” On top of that, she continues her day of teaching her students and then coming home to her kids as well, always being open and willing to help her students and kids with any questions. However, Mrs. Brush is not just a teacher, she said she enjoys “walks, running, going to the gym and watching my girls’ sports events.” She is always actively involved with her family and is always willing to help another person succeed. “I also stay after school to tutor sometimes and help kids when they need help.” When wrapping up, Mrs Brush said, “I didn't really think it [helping this student with the school transition] was a big deal, I always try to make a point to be there for students whenever they need help. That also goes for middle school and high school as well.” You can truly say that Susanne Brush is the real life wonder woman, living every day with passion and her willingness to help others in need.
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 By: Cristin Blake
With summer quickly approaching, you tend to wonder how teachers will spend their time now that they don’t have to worry about students. You would think that the only things teachers do are grade papers and read books, but they know how to have some fun in the sun. Teachers at Wethersfield High School worry so much about what they are going to do for the next upcoming school year. However, Doris Duggins, a WHS social sciences teacher, also knows how to relax and enjoy her time off. Mrs. Duggins has an endless amount of trips planned for their summer vacation, with a splash of teaching for the fun of it. She says “I want to take time to go to the beach and visit my daughter in Florida, and then go to North Carolina to see my sister.” After all that traveling, she plans to come back to Wethersfield and teach a social justice class through a book to 7th and 8th graders. It seems she has a lot of things planned for the summer but I know she’ll get it all done. Sometimes teachers just need a break from their students and relieve some of the stress from the last school year. After all, teaching is their job. Brian Turner, a physical education and health teacher here at the high school, is going to try and figure out how he should spend his time this summer now that he is, as he puts it “unemployed.” He says “I’ll be spending a lot of time with my two girls, I have two and a four year old at home, hopefully playing a lot of golf, and just try to enjoy some time off.” It’s always good for teachers to enjoy some quality time with their family because they deserve it. After spending all that time with students, they deserve the break. However, this isn’t the case for every teacher at the high school. Michael Maltese, athletic director and assistant principal at WHS, has a lot of work that he has to do to prepare for the upcoming school year in the fall. He says “I will be working this summer here at the high school; we have our new principal Ms. O’Connor coming in and we get ready to welcome kids back to a full year.” While there is work that he still has to do, he’s still going to try to find some time to get out and spend time with his family. He hopes to spend lots of time with his two daughters, one age 9 and the other age 12, by taking them out to Six Flags, and hopefully head down to the Jersey Shore. Many teachers and staff members have so many fun things planned for their summer vacation. With a mixture of traveling and working, they’ll get to relax and enjoy their next couple months off before the school year rolls around again.  By Charles Hayes
In junior year of high school, “I was getting ready to make plans to visit colleges, talk to coaches about playing soccer and just getting a sense of where I wanted to go. That all came to an end in March when the pandemic hit. We went from the excitement of going to see what could be the next four years to absolutely nothing. What was the next step? Did all the hard work just go down the drain? After many hours of looking online waiting to see how colleges were preparing for the next step and how they were going to recruit. “Here are the lessons I have learned along the way.” I noticed first that so many colleges were sending not just the average flyer but packets of information with multiple photos to introduce themselves and what they had to offer. I mean it was way above the norm, I was receiving over 3-5 a week from all over the country. I asked a graduate of 2020, Jack Romagnoli about it. “To be honest I may have received 10 total over the course of the 2020 school year.” This is how I actually got first interested in my choice of school. I learned so much about how many schools are actually out there and believe it when I say there is a school for everyone. I just had to go up to Rivier just recently and got to ask Josh Ciarcia, my admissions counselor about how they dealt with the pandemic. “Well we definitely had to switch gears and come up with some ideas that would catch the eye of potential students, I think collectively as a team we did a great job. We implemented more videos of the campus and sent out emails with the link, also instead of just sending out our normal post card we sent out a much larger packet of information and we really saw results from that.” The next step for me was how any college soccer coaches were going to take a look. So we went to the website of NCSA, Next College Student Athlete founded back in 2000 in Chicago, IL. We sent an email and they hooked us up with a specialist there, Ken Marshall and then we set up a zoom meeting. Ken said, “NCSA too was dealing with tons of new students wanting to join because this was the best way for college coaches to look at athletes without being able to see them on the field. So we have taken steps to reach out to all of the colleges to ensure that our clients will get the best possible outcome in this crazy time.” So we went with the MVP program, they had given a huge discount to do Covid, so what would have been $225 a month was $125 a month for one year. This was to make sure that we could get what was needed out to these coaches and it worked. We started it in May and by August I had 5 different coaches scouting me. I did get to go see 4 out of the 5 schools, but when I was asked to come up to see Rivier, it all just fell into place. In the end, all the worries of what could not have happened went away due to all of the colleges, universities and NCSA stepping up for all the incoming freshmen around the U.S. I know how happy I was not only to find my university and get scouted for playing soccer but to do it and commit by December 15 so I could just focus on the rest of my senior year. By David Barajas
For some people, this may be their last year at Wethersfield High School and soon they will be off to college, where they will venture on into the adult world for the first time. Some people may have a difficult time adjusting to college due to it being different from high school. In college, you will have a much more flexible schedule as many classes can be taken in the afternoon or in the morning, depending on you and your choices. You will also have less classes than you did in high school and that means you will have more time to focus on important things or work. Some people may be nervous about going to college because it's something new and it is going to be a new experience for some students. By this time of the year, many students already know what college they will be attending and what they will study for their future career. What's more important now for incoming college freshmen is to prepare for college and its hardships. Some ways you can prepare for college is ask your counselor for advice on college and how it can help you. Another way you can prepare for college is to polish on your time management skills, You will have a lot of more free time which can be good for some people and bad for people who like to put aside work. A final way student can prepare for college is to get a job. Some college tuitions and fees cost alot of money and can put a lot of stress on people to get it paid. Getting a job can help pay some of it and take some of the stress off of you. I decided to ask Corey Malicki, A WHS student about what he was doing to prepare for college, he said “I've been looking online about the different types of majors and careers you can choose between.” I think one of the hardest things about college is choosing a major because there are so many to choose from, but the good thing is that you can always switch your major if you don't like it. How are you preparing for your after high school plans? Comment below!  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Olivia Dizes
Being a new teacher is a tough job. Teaching during a pandemic is a tough job. But being a new teacher during a pandemic? That’s got to be one of the hardest jobs I can imagine. As it is, teaching just isn’t for everyone. It takes a special skill set to be a teacher and takes a tremendous amount of patience. Kelly Southwick, a fourth-grade teacher at Hanmer Elementary School, hasn’t taught a year without the effects of COVID. Last year was her first year teaching, and she only got half of a normal year. She’s had to adjust to her job and to the ongoing pandemic all at once. However hard the job may be, Mrs. Southwick has taken it in stride and never fails to do her best to make her students feel safe, happy, and productive during this time. Before the pandemic, I was able to see firsthand how amazing she is with her students. She cares for the children like her own and does whatever she needs to do to help them out. Mrs. Southwick also says that Hanmer’s school community has been great, and they’ve all come together to make this as normal and as fun as they can, since collaboration is huge this year. Focus has had to shift to adjust to try and get the kids back to where they were at the end of last year and beyond. Thinking outside the box is the defaut, like using baking to teach fractions. She’s been incorporating fun auditory and visual ways for students to learn away from the chromebook. While the pandemic threw a curveball, Mrs. Southwick seemed to hit a home run on the hardest pitch she could get. She says that she’s been able to still build her valuable relationships with her students and coworkers. “I think when you’re in a difficult situation, it forces you to come closer than you normally would and really think outside the box and push yourself in ways you normally wouldn’t,” she said. She says this time has been an important test, because you push yourself in ways you normally wouldn’t to be the best educator you can. The past year has been a group effort, and the response from students and coworkers has made it all worth it. As a student myself, I would say one of the hardest parts of this year was forming relationships with your teachers, which are easily lost through a computer screen. However, Mrs. Southwick has managed to build lasting bonds with her students and never fails to keep them not only engaged, but excited to learn. She told me that the kids are more open this year, that they’re looking for a strong base; someone to lean on, someone to learn with, someone to laugh with. “I think you connect on a deeper level. Kids lean on you more and want to make a greater connection with you because there’s a new barrier that’s in the way.” Throughout what has been the hardest year for both students and teachers, Mrs. Southwick has done the most for her students, even giving up her summer to teach online summer school at Hanmer. When asked if there was any time in the past year where things got overwhelming she immediately said no. “I think when you really love what you do, it’s easy to rise to the occasion.” She has a true passion for her work and it shows. Her students adore her as a teacher and as a friend, and she’s proven to be a staple in the Hanmer community, with many more successful years to come.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Chase Millen and Noah Terzo
The outgoing sports broadcaster of all sports at Wethersfield high school for all sports that is loved by everyone. He started his broadcasting career during his freshman year due to the fact that he always looked up to his father who was a broadcaster himself. It seems like he is going to have a future in broadcasting due to the fact that he loves doing it, and when asked if he would like to do it as a profession, he replied, “I’d like it to be my job and/or profession. I love doing it, and I feel like I make my dad proud.” His family, his father especially, are huge inspirations to him and they make him want to make them proud. Jimmie is loved by everyone playing sports for the high school, along with the players’ families. Along with broadcasting, he also does the play-by-play from every sideline and posts them for the family members that can’t make it to the games. During COVID restrictions, this was vital, as many families could not attend games like they have in the past. But it’s not just the job he loves, he also loves WHS student-athletes. He said, “All the guys on the team are really cool and nice. My family loves what I do and supports it.” He enjoys broadcasting not only because he wants it to be his profession, but also because he enjoys watching all of his fellow classmates play every day while doing it. He loves being part of the team and is glad he got this opportunity. Not only does he do the announcements for the home games, but sometimes he even hops on the bus with the team and takes the ride to some of the away games to do play-by-play there as well. He broadcasts for almost all of the high school sports from spring sports like baseball, winter sports like basketball, as well as the fall sports like soccer, among several others. While Jimmie is not only making his family proud, he is also making many new friends, as well as entertaining all of the players' families at the same time. Without Jimmie through these tough COVID times, a lot of the parents would be a lot less informed of their child's sports, since they may not be able to attend. All of these reasons show why Jimmie is a true Wethersfield Hero.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Morgan Sargis
Katie Cognata is a 1st grade teacher from Hamner Elementary, and is teaching and supporting first graders through a pandemic. She is making sure everyone of her students is learning and stays engaged while also following the rules of COVID. One of the questions I asked Mrs. Cognata was how did social distancing affect your teaching, and she said, “They need a lot more support, or just a hug, and finding other ways to give the kids the emotional support they need.” What I remember from elementary school is totally different from what these kids are experiencing, they have to learn to be separated from each other, and right now they can't get that physical support, so it can be a challenge for them. Another question I asked her was how good her kids were with masks, since even some of the high schoolers don't even wear the mask right. Cognata said, “They were really good, I laugh because I think the kids are better with masks than some adults are sometimes. At the beginning we had mask breaks, but sometimes the masks were too big and would slip down, but they would pull it right back up.” With this answer she gave me I found so crazy how all these little kids can be so good at doing this one thing that keeps everyone safe, and are way better than some adults out there. Another question I wanted to know was if she had any new routines in her classroom she had to do because of COVID, this was her response: “in 1st grade, we are trying to teach the kids to be independent, so in past years I would have kids take control of the lunch count, and a lot of materials were shared, and that's where it had to change since we can't share materials.” One last question I had was how adjusting to virtual and hybrid teaching was difficult to adjust. ”It was definitely challenging, because with first graders, you can tell if they are losing attention and walk over, but working at home I can't do that, and there are more distractions at home. There are things I can control in the classroom, but not at home.” I could definitely relate to this question because I know when I was virtual, since I had my phone right next to me, and the teacher wasn't there to tell me to put my phone away, it would be such a distraction, and made me not do so well, so I know what these kids are feeling when virtual. A big thank you to Katie Cognata for helping the students by putting in the work and adjusting to a whole new way of teaching that no one has ever experienced before, and making the most out of it. Katie is just one of the many teachers in Wethersfield Public Schools that are giving it their all and overall just being supportive with this crazy school year.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Ava Ahmetovic
The year 2021 has brought many negative things to light in the Wethersfield community, but there were many who rose to the occasion to make the year better. Introducing Carrie Anzidei, founder of The Crimson Team Kindness Club and teacher at SDMS. She is also a teacher at SDMS. For those wondering what the club is, she explains: “Crimson Team Kindness Club is a way for students to create, implement and be kind in a socially distant manner during the Pandemic. Our club has been involved in several projects such as sending homemade holiday cards to active servicemen and women who were serving abroad (we partnered with Kids4Vets---Mrs. Sally Distoli made that possible), wrote out holiday cards to Seniors in the Wethersfield community to spread some holiday cheer, and coordinated a small food drive just with kind members dropping food at the town hall. “ Their biggest contribution is proudly donating to the Humane Society drive. With no exaggeration, Mrs. Anzidei’s car was completely full with donations! Mrs. Anzidei takes pride in how her students took on the leadership role. The students, she says, “are the real driving force of this club and each week at our Friday meetings. They set the agenda and discuss potential kindness ideas; which is very impressive to watch how they coordinate and respectfully give their input.” Again, she is proud to be in coordination with the following students: Catherine, Jenevieve, Denisa, Sophia, Madison, Grace, Natalie, Emily and Sara. In the future, the Team Crimson Kindness Club will be looking to do a school-wide food drive, they also want to continue to spread the word about their group and kindness. The original idea behind this club is that Mrs. Anziedei feared for how her students would not have much interaction with others being isolated in their homes. She made a calendar and linked it to all the Crimson Team at SDMS. She stated, “It was really important to the teachers to be able to provide that outlet for our students and it was all voluntary to attend if they wanted to join us.” At the moment they have 9 members, and they are always open to new members for the crimson team. Mrs. Anzidei represents what a hero truly is. In this community, she really is an amazing teacher, mother, and HERO.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By Owen Gagne
Pam Harrison is an incredible person and truly a hero to our small town of Wethersfield. Although she is currently employed as a staff member in our public school system, Ms. Harrison also does volunteer work with the Youth Advisory Board. Through this group, she organized a 5k race named HUGS with proceeds going towards “campership'' which is financial aid for families who can’t afford to send their children to camps in the summer. Ms. Harrison’s assistance in the coordination of this event was crucial to its success. She says “I’m a runner and I’ve seen so many races go virtual this year, so I thought we could do something like that”. She has completed two marathons and numerous half marathons and thought it would be the perfect event. With her knowledge of virtual races and connections throughout the town, she was able to organize the HUGS 5k race to collect some fundraiser money over Valentine's Day weekend. “I’ve been on the Youth Advisory Board for about 7-8 years now. It’s a great place to be involved in our community”, said Ms. Harrison. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, Ms. Harrison helps think of unique fundraiser ideas such as raffle night, an event at Wood N’ Tap, and the 5k race. They work alongside the Town Hall Social and Youth Services at times as well which allows for use of certain facilities or opportunities otherwise unavailable. The group meets monthly to brainstorm ideas as to how they can make Wethersfield a better place for its students. What made this event so inspirational was the fact that all proceeds were donated to the Town Hall Social and Youth Services’s campership fund. Ms. Harrison said, “Any Wethersfield student whose family may need some financial assistance can receive a scholarship or “campership” because it is used for summer camp”. She knows that lots of kids in town do not have the same opportunities as others, therefore she works to assist the less fortunate. The passion to help others in her community transpired from the joy she feels when knowing she can give back to the community. Being part of the Wethersfield school system, along with being a resident for many years, she feels “it is a nice way to see things from a different angle. Usually I am just looking at high school students, but this way I can see the whole continuum of what we can do for kids”. She also has relations with other Wethersfield residents who benefit from her services as part of the Youth Advisory Board, which helps motivate her to do more. As stated earlier, Ms. Harrison is an amazing person who deserves to be recognized as a hero to her Wethersfield community. Her volunteer work with the Youth Advisory Board and everything she does to benefit the children of her community is a truly admirable characteristic. It was an honor to interview this Wethersfield hero who has helped so many.  by: Tommy Aglieco and Dominic Butler
Wethersfield heroes Sean Dunn and Sam Johnson have started a Hiking Club so students can get outside and spend time with others during the Coronavirus pandemic. WHS juniors Sean Dunn and Sam Johnson had a vision for helping people get outside and enjoy nature during the pandemic and have brought it to life swiftly and elegantly. Back in March, they pitched the idea to some teachers and got them on board. Shortly after, they opened it up for students to join and were “pleasantly surprised” by the number of people on the list. According to Sean, there were around 70 applicants within the first two weeks. Their first hike in late March at Quarry Park in Rocky Hill was largely a success besides the fact that it was a little cold and the second hike is scheduled for May 2 and they are expecting the best. If participation continues at this rate, then who knows where this will go, Sean said that they have already designed and ordered the Hiking Club shirts and that they plan on continuing the club in Fall 2021. So sign up using the google classroom code, fz6gw2p. Get some exercise, have some fun, maybe even meet some new friends.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Samara Irizzary and Shanelle Lewis
Social justice promotes equity and balance in many spaces of society, including the Wethersfield community. When talking about social justice in education, we aim for equal distribution of resources and make all individuals feel guarded and secure. A push for social justice reform can’t be done by a single person, but by a population, which would require the conscious work of everyone in our town. A member of the community stands out when it comes to these societal issues. Pamela Jones, a first grade educator at Emerson Williams, has been a part of the community for 24 years to realize that there needed to be a demand for change. Mrs. Jones was asked what made her want to become an advocate for social justice reform and she explained, “When I started teaching 24 years ago, Wethersfield’s racial makeup was far less diverse than it is today. There were far less children/families of color in our schools. The makeup of the staff, the content of the curriculum, and the books on the shelves closely mirrored the children in the classrooms.” Years after she had made this observation, more children of color were prominent in the Wethersfield community, but the makeup of staff members, the content of the curriculum, as well as the books on the shelves, remained the same. The learning environment in Wethersfield, as well as the racial climate in our country following the murder of George Floyd, ignited a spark in her to be an advocate for the children and families in the community whose voices are silenced rather than amplified. Jones took the necessary steps to help marginalized groups that are affected by these factors. She noticed that there was a problem and thought about the impact she could make by long term changes in the space she works in on a daily basis. “I did small things in my classroom to make everyone feel loved, respected and included. Some examples of these changes include purchasing multicultural books and other diverse resources, celebrating the diversity of the children in my class by inviting their families in to teach children about the clothes, food, language, dance, etc. of their cultures,” she said. Her work as an educator for the younger generation also involved incorporating the diverse history of people of color. She wrote a musical about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. which was later shared with her students. They then performed the musical for their parents and the entire student body. Furthermore, Mrs. Jones is also a member of the newly formed Courageous Conversation Committee at Emerson Williams as well as the Steering Committee for the townwide Social Justice Coalition, both committees that help make change within the community. “Every person in the community is important. Every voice should be heard. Every opinion should be considered. Every person should be seen. Every culture should be celebrated. Every race should be respected. When a community marginalized groups of people intentionally or unintentionally by not respecting, hearing, or understanding them, it sends a clear message that they are not welcomed or wanted there.” Social justice means the people of color in Wethersfield, and anywhere really, would have an equal social, political and economic status to their white counterparts. Because of our town's overwhelmingly white history, we fall behind more diverse towns when it comes to addressing these issues. However, Mrs. Jones believes that the community is taking a gigantic step in the right direction to make social justice and inequity a priority in all spaces involving marginalized and/or ostracized groups. Pamela Jones is an outstanding member and educator of the community for her astounding efforts for social justice reform. She highlights what it means to be an advocate in support for change in a large environment that lacks inequity. She continues to create safe space for children of color and helps amplify their voice through education and cultural learning. Whilst Pamela has been making great efforts for change, others can also advocate for social justice in the community. She responded to this idea with, “When you see something, say something! If you see someone being treated unfairly, do not just stand idly by watching. Speak up. If you don’t know what to say, saying something is better than remaining silent. Another thing that can be done is to talk to people who are different than you. Listen to their stories. Believe their truths. Try to seek understanding. Finally, educate themselves. Read books on social justice. Watch documentaries. Research the topic.” These are just a few ways to better improve how we can amplify the voices of people of color. “In the words of Maya Angelou, ‘When you know better, you do better.’”  Source: Hartford Courant by: Aaron Maher and Francesco Moline
The end of an era approaches at a fast pace, after 20 years of WHS Principal Mr. Moore being in office, it’s safe to say that his management of his school could not have been any better. Overseeing the renovation construction with a keen eye, as well as his reaction and efficacy throughout the Coronavirus pandemic are just a few of the many obstacles he has overcome during his time as a principal. He truly is and shall be remembered as a legend to the Wethersfield High School community. It won't be easy to fill such big shoes, moreover it will take a surplus of experience and professionalism to even begin to fill them, which brings us to congratulate our new Wethersfield High School Principal, Mrs Siobhan O’Connor, who has been in school administration for quite some time, most recently as the Principal of Highcrest Elementary School. She first started as a teacher where she grew up in Windsor, then went on to oversee different educational settings and eventually she was promoted to Principal at several different schools. Diving deeper into her credentials, Mrs. O’Connor specifically started as a social studies teacher in Windsor High. When we interviewed her, she made sure to stress that classrooms should be fun and enjoyable, so that kids are willing to learn, and therefore be more successful, which she learned during her time in Windsor. Despite this however, she understands her position as someone who will be leading a very prestigious high school. One promising thing about Mrs. O’Connor is not only her view of education, but her commitment to the class. When we asked for her thoughts on the transition from being teacher to administration, “Once you get pulled from the classroom there's no going back.” We then conducted an Interview with Superintendent Michael Emmett, where he mirrored Mrs. O’Connor’s stellar credentials with her history as a classroom teacher and administrator at multiple school levels. Of course, Mr. Moore is and always will be irreplaceable, but to compare Mrs. O’Connor with Mr. Moore is at best inappropriate, they each have their different strengths which will surely be made clear next year when she is comfortable in her job. Mr. Emmett told us that they have a good relationship as co-workers, and that he personally vouches for her skills and mindset. After interviewing Mrs. O’Connor herself, as well as the influential Mr. Emmett, we went ahead and asked one teacher who had been on the committee that voted for the new principal, Mrs. McKenna. We specifically asked for her viewpoints on the decision, she agreed with it and believed it was very well thought out. We also asked her what she thinks makes Mrs. O'Connor a great fit. She answered that she “thought she fit well because of her past experiences. Not many of the other candidates had nearly the amount of experience she has had”. Being a principal at all three levels of public schools, it was surely an influential factor in the decision. Be sure to welcome Mrs. O’Connor when you see her in the hallways!  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Fatma Bark
“It turns out that ‘mask’ is a very powerful tool for protection. We learned a big lesson, that mask really works!” Mrs. Chlo-Anne Bobrowski, a School Nurse Supervisor at Wethersfield Public Schools, is one of those heroes who was in the hot seat every day to make the community safer and to ensure the district was in a good place to deal with COVID. Throughout her career, Mrs. Bobrowski always dedicated her life to make peoples’ lives better. She worked at Hartford Hospital for 20 years, then worked at Midstate Medical Center as an infection control nurse, then she became a school nurse and now a school nurse supervisor. “I have to say, it was a journey to get here and I think that everything that I have experienced, what I have done with my work history, has been an important piece and a very important function on why I am able to do what I do today,” she said. Phases Of Pandemic That We Faced Was Unbearable, Yet We Moved On To Another. Initially this pandemic was only a 10 days precaution but we never returned back to school at the end of the 2019-2020 year. In the fall of 2020, schools needed to be open and be safe for everyone. While we were stuck at home figuring a way out of boredom during the summer of 2020, Mrs. Bobrowski and other school officials were busy thinking about how they could put things back in normal conditions. “That has been an adjustment for me as well to balance my life and I think that is an important thing about really eating, living, breathing COVID. I think one of the things that really comes up for me is really allowing myself to have a balance in life, and not just always thinking about COVID.” We had our times of struggle and decided to switch off every source that provided data after data for all day every day. While we could turn off the TV or skip the channels explaining the death rates, Mrs. Bobrowski did not have an option. As much as she wanted to unplug from the news she needed to know everything that she could to help better. She added that she knew how hard it was to be in the hot spot every day and making big decisions that would impact many people in the district. She mentioned that besides walking and exercising, she used a couple of apps that helped her to relax her mind and learned how to meditate. They Never Got A Break From Work, As If 2020 Never Finished! Summer of 2020, the time period that history will never want to repeat and no people want to recall. Unusual quarantining, running out of supplies as soon as they were available, literally not being able to do anything that we would desire to do during beautiful summer days, but there is always the other side of the medallion, which we might forget from time to time. Mrs. Bobrowski mentioned that her work never finished and she never had a summer break at all. That was to make sure we, the Wethersfield Public School community members, could safely come back together in fall. On the larger scale it was an offer made to families whether or not they wanted their kids back in school. More like a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ question. When I was given the opportunity to look closer, it was meeting after meeting held to find a way to do the regular school duties with new safety protocols.There were a lot of people who sacrificed their time to establish a sanitized and safe environment for us. We will never thank them enough for their hard work. Dear Pre-Pandemic People, Please Consider The Following... Mrs. Bobrowski mentioned the importance of the Covid vaccine and how essential it is for us to start turning back to our lives. “Some people kind of misunderstand the science behind the vaccine. It is not a light virus that has been injected to your body, it’s like a replica of the virus so that your immune system will respond and build antibodies.” is how she clarified the point that maybe many of us got confused about. She suggested that everyone who has access should consider getting the vaccine sooner rather than later. Lastly I asked Mrs. Bobrowski, what would she say to people pre-pandemic? She was concerned about whether anyone could predict a world-wide pandemic like the one that we face, or could be prepared enough for what is coming. Her advice was: “Wash your hands!”. She sincerely hoped that people would understand how important hand hygiene is. It is extremely simple to spread the virus, when we don’t keep our hands clean. Another essential advice of hers was: “Don’t try to work through something if you are not feeling well!”. This is a habit of human nature, we always ‘have to’ do something. But this has changed for good I believe as the government itself requested people to stay home if they don’t feel well. Health is what we should value but we don’t even realize it’s importance before it is damaged. Pandemic Was Very Challenging For Everyone, Even For A Nurse. Mrs. Bobrowski almost spent half of her life helping others. As a nurse, she had experienced many challenges that prepared her for any circumstances that are unusual to us but would be manageable for a nurse. Like a worldwide pandemic! She was a nurse but also she was a grandmother to a newborn baby during the pandemic. Due to her job and her position she could see her granddaughter from the other side of the window. As included, there was an emotional setback in her life besides the mental setback most of us felt. Mrs. Bobrowski said she created a safety pod of people. She also mentioned that she discovered many beautiful parks during her outdoor walks that she did for stepping out of all the struggle that her job brought and being emotionally stabilized. “There is a tremendous amount of stress and being able to connect with nature was a nice way to debrief and bring down the stress level” is how Mrs. Bobrowski explained the impact of her walks. It was a pleasure to interview Mrs. Chlo-Anne Bobrowski. I would like to extend my thanks and regards to her and everyone who worked and still works at the forefront for the rest of us. It was an honor to understand the perspective of a nurse who was at the front line everyday during a global pandemic. Let’s keep those hands clean, masks up and vaccinated! The bright future is coming closer day by day when we work towards it!  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Joe Balut
Doreen Tarascio chose to volunteer at Foodshare at Rentschler Field during the pandemic. Amidst the pandemic, Doreen remained comfortable because all of the necessary equipment was provided like gloves, masks, sanitary wipes, and Foodshare provided instructions on how to provide food to cars safely. Many of the people who showed up to pick up food were nervous, but others were so thankful that they would do anything to receive assistance. I asked Ms.Tarascio how her volunteer experience made her feel. “The majority of people I talked to said that helping people during this pandemic was more rewarding than they could have ever imagined.It made me appreciate my own circumstances. The people there were so grateful and appreciative.” I asked Ms.Tarascio if she will continue to volunteer after Covid. She said, “I volunteered at Foodshare before COVID and was amazed by the generosity of the community prior to COVID, and during as people continued to donate money. When people could no longer donate food to the warehouse, they donated money so that Foodshare could buy food.” Today was Foodshare´s last day of food distribution at Rentschler Field. The food distribution started a year ago as a one-week emergency distribution and ended up continuing for an entire year. On average, 2,000 cars a day would line up for assistance. In total, Foodshare distributed more than 7 million meals through Rentschler Field over the past year.The thing that got Foodshare through the heat last summer, and frigid winter we´ve just endured was the stories of the people who came through for the food and donations. It is incredible what they have done through this dark time in our country and the world. To find a food pantry near you,call 2-1-1(or 1-800-203-1234) or visit www.ct211.org.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  “Women need to lift each other up. It takes a community” -Mrs. McKenna by: Lorien Touponse and Camila Nobre
As society takes an honest look at its biases and prejudice, a group of young women in Wethersfield High School are working to create change. Feminism club, founded by Veronica McKenna, Ava Heimgartner, and Mia Gugliotti, meets once a month and strives to raise awareness on current issues surrounding women's rights. This is a club suited for anyone who is even remotely interested as Veronica stated, “everyone should be a feminist.” The girls were adamant in the idea that this club was for everyone, not just women. A club member added, “We get a lot of women because women have experienced it. It is important to remember that anyone can join. We can accomplish more with white men on board. It came about at the right time because with everything going on, we knew we needed to bring recognition to those issues.” And they did just that by creating this inclusive environment in which they discuss all groups of people who identify as women and therefore experience discrimination. The story of how this club started was quite simple but inspiring. Veronica explained that they had always been feminists and that they would often find themselves ranting about women’s rights. One day it occurred to them that there should be a safe space for people to get together and discuss these important issues and better educate themselves. Veronica said, “You don’t need a lot of people, but you need an advisor to start the club.” Since her mother is Mrs. Stephanie McKenna, an English teacher at the high school, she approached her with the idea and created this amazing community of people who care about women’s rights. Veronica added that she was surprised that a club like this hadn’t already been created. This club spends their time looking for solutions and hosting fundraisers to support women. Recently, they organized a collection of feminine hygiene products for My Sister’s Place, a local shelter in Hartford for women and children who have been evicted, subjected to domestic violence, unemployed, have mental illnesses amongst other situations. Visit their website http://sistersplacect.org/support-our-mission/ for more information on how to donate and volunteer. Articles are frequently posted on their Google Classroom to educate their members about challenges women face in our society. To keep people engaged during this challenging time of remote learning, they lead discussions about these articles and later express their opinions, thoughts, or any concerns. So far, the Feminism club has gotten a lot of positive attention. Despite the remote learning complications, they have over 95 members. On his last day as Principal of Wethersfield High School, Mr. Moore generously donated $300 to help finance this up and coming club. Mrs. McKenna shared that she has had teachers ask about the club and show their support by donating to their collection drive and asking how they can get involved. The club founders are encouraging everyone to educate themselves on the fight for feminism. Acknowledging that feminism can take many forms, Ava explained that there are many ways to get involved, “Hop on Google if you don’t want to join the club. Just start caring. Read books, watch videos.” Mrs. McKenna, the club's advisor added, “Be aware of what is happening around you. Are women being ignored? Is there equity here? Are women’s rights being as protected as men’s? There are a lot of challenges we need to overcome as a society.” When asked why we should care about feminism, the members had a lot to say. Mrs. McKenna pointed out that women’s rights have advanced more than we often think about over the last 50 years. “I was talking to my mother and she didn’t get a credit card because women couldn't open credit cards in the 70s in Connecticut. Laws are changing and they continue to need to change to support women.” That being said, there is still a great amount of progress that goes unnoticed. One of the club’s topics of discussion was the NCAA tournament, in reference to the disparities between the mens and womens facilities, and how the public did not know about it until someone made a TikTok. One group member added, “When women speak up, they get shut down.” In a perfect world, the Feminism Club would not have to exist. However, because of the inequities women endure, some of the most amazing women have bounded together to create the beginnings of a powerful organization and work together to help lead the feminist movement. These pioneers saw a lack of support and created it to better their community. Because of their actions, small steps have already been taken to help women. If you are interested in getting involved in this club, the class code is: obi2t2k. They also have an instagram where they share posts about current events and club meetings: @WHS_Feminist_Club  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Gino Santilli
Sarah Johnson is a Curriculum Specialist at Charles Wright Elementary School in Wethersfield, Connecticut for 11 years, but her role goes way beyond being a Curriculum Specialist, as she is well respected around the classrooms as well as the community. Curriculum Specialists are teacher-leaders who, due to their experience and success in the classroom, serve as collaborators and guides for classroom teachers to plan lessons, analyze student performance, model instruction, support differentiation, and so much more. Her heart is made of pure gold as she is always lending a helping hand, putting others ahead of herself. Johnson is known for her ear-to-ear smile just reflecting positive energy as she enters a room. She always sees the positive in any situation allowing for a good time whenever you are with her. When Johnson was asked what her favorite thing to do is, she replied, “I love trying new things with teachers as I am always ready for a new challenge.” This goes a long way because she is always looking for a way to improve herself and others around her. Johnson is always looking for a way she can help no matter what it is as she is constantly putting others in front of her. She is always willing to help, give advice, teach, or even provide something for a student. Johnson always has an answer for the questions you may have. Johnson was asked what her motto is, she responded with a quote from Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” This is a very powerful quote as it believes in second chances. Meaning everyone has stuff going on in their life and we cant be so hard on ourselves. Johnson truly is a great fit for this role as her kindness comes so naturally to her. She said, “my kindness comes from empathy for others.” She knows everyone has something going on and her job is making everyone’s day a little easier. When she sees a kid smile she knows she did her job properly. The feeling is intoxicating to her and describes it as making her happy and hungry for more. She is known for her “happy dance” when there is a job well done, which brightens everyone’s day. To truly gauge the presence Johnson’s personality holds, you just need to meet her in person as she is practically the sunshine in Charles Wright Elementary School. As she will never leave a person behind or a kid left discouraged, Johnson is someone who you need to keep around.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Morgan Cathcart
During the pandemic, people have been lonely, away from friends and family, longing for the days that they could go outside without a mask and without worry of catching the virus, especially those in elder care or hospitals. Wethersfield resident Jeanne Cathcart is spreading love and joy to friends, family, and strangers from her home. She spends her free time knitting prayer shawls that she then gives to others. Prayer shawls, if you don’t know, are blankets that are done with three stitches to represent The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, and are a few months of work to complete each one. “One went to a very good friend who never took it off his shoulders when he was in a nursing home, his wife displayed it at the funeral on her husband's casket,” Cathcart said. “That was the first time I was in awe of what I made and how it could make people feel,” she then added. With the changes the world is facing since the COVID-19 pandemic, Cathcart’s knitting group at a local church has stopped meeting for the time being. However, this hasn’t stopped Cathcart from making prayer shawls and volunteering. “Since COVID, I have made many more for friends. I have had more free time which has allowed me the time to knit more,” Cathcart said. So many have lost loved ones or been separated from their families in order to stay safe. Cathcart and her husband, have been lucky to be able to stay in good health through this past year. Sadly, the same can’t be said for one of her good friends who had surgery recently and is in the hospital. It is situations like this that the prayer shawl is the most important to Cathcart. Being able to give a friend in need a gift of warmth and hope is something that has no price or restrictions. That friend will be receiving a prayer shawl soon, Cathcart has confirmed. These gifts aren’t always for friends or family. When Cathcart has the time and resources she donates her knitting to her church and sometimes other organizations. From those places, the shawls are given to people in need, people that she doesn't even know. It isn’t hard to brighten someone’s day, could be family, a friend, or even a stranger you have never met, and Cathcart has proved that. Along with knitting, Jeanne spends many hours volunteering at her church, whether it is setting up the altar for the next mass, or cleaning up the garden. She plants flowers, pulls weeds, and decorates the interior of the church with flowers in the springtime. You may ask why someone would do this, and from Jeanne herself, she said, “You hope people appreciate it, but that's not why I do it. I do it because I want to. It's a feeling of giving and doing something for someone else.” Anyone can be a hero, whether they want recognition for it or not. Jeanne is exactly that, a hero in our very own community. Always striving to give to others and brighten other’s days. “There’s so many other people that are heroes other than me that do so much good. So many people do so much and that's what makes the world go round, we all need to give in one way or another,” Cathcart said.  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Alecia DiCenso
COVID-19 has been rough for all of those in the workplace. During COVID-19, many jobs, including my mother’s, have become much more risky. She is an essential worker and runs CT Home Care & Companions LLC. What she does is helps those who can’t help themselves or need assistance. She has a business for elderly assistance. She does this to help people and families who have loved ones they can’t be with 24/7. With COVID-19, her job became risky. Through all of the struggles with COVID, they didn’t lose any clients or caregivers at the start so her business remained consistent. The town provided her business with masks and gloves to ensure safety along with the mask mandate about a few days after the mandate. The changes started happening in early April. The only changes were that caregivers have to wear masks and gloves in the client's house, but they also have to get tested for COVID-19 every week. This was to ensure that the workers, caregivers, and my mom were safer to ensure they were protected. They were tested at clinics nearby and my mother would supply them with gloves and masks unless they wanted to get their own. After talking to her about her business she has said that some people are more concerned than others. She said she has one client who doesn’t want the aides to wear masks, but they all still do. Other clients are happy as long as they are all wearing masks. I asked her how COVID-19 has affected her business. She said, “I have to be more attentive to signs if a client is going to be sick to try and prevent the aides from getting sick. The aides have to get tested every week so that the clients won’t get sick because some of them have other health issues.” She also received both of her vaccines. I asked her how she felt after getting the second shot. “I felt some of the symptoms but very mildly and it only lasted the day after my shot.” I then asked her if her workers are getting vaccinated. “Some of them have and others don’t want to, we don’t require them to.” I then interviewed one of her workers, Yahiel. She has worked for my mom for about a year and is mostly an aide at a house where the client is paralyzed from the waist down and can’t speak very well. I asked her how she felt about COVID-19 and working. She said she needs to work to support her kid and she doesn’t like the pandemic, but it hasn’t affected her and working. I asked her if she received the vaccine and she said she wasn’t sure about getting it. “Was your work life changed by COVID-19? Yes girl, I just hate these damn masks, but I gotta wear em’ and gloves. ” Overall, I asked them why they do what they do. My mom said she enjoys helping families and ensuring their loved ones are always safe. Yaheil said she enjoys helping people and getting to know the clients. The only difference for my mom workers is that they have to wear masks in the client's house (even if the client says they don’t have too), wear gloves and get tested for COVID-19 every week. It can be very dangerous for the client if they were to get sick because a lot of them have health issues. She loves what she does, and the pandemic hasn’t affected her not being able to do so!  Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  by: Audrey Buccheri
What is the price of regret ? James Buyak, often referred to as Jim by friends, is a lieutenant at the Wethersfield Police Department. Before that he was a patrol officer. He took the time to talk to me and share his knowledge. At the end of the day it all boils down to about two things: One, do not speed. And two: always ask yourself what is regret worth? Walking into the police station is somewhat intimidating and it made me feel like the questions I had prepared were not so great. I started by asking how COVID has affected him and his job. I originally had this theory that it would have made crime rates go down. He stated that “In a town like wethersfield there are two main types of crime: shoplifting and car theft, and those happen all the time.” He went on to say that the number of domestic violence cases increased. This made me wonder if it is because it is starting now or has the pandemic caused people to be more prone to report it due to the fact they are stuck at home? Do not speed. This was something he really wanted to make sure I understood. Jim showed me pictures and explained to me what can happen. That when driving especially as a newer driver, you have to be aware of the people around you. Oftentimes, major accidents are caused by people blowing through stop signs and red lights at major intersections. The reason this happens is because if there is a car stolen in town and they are driving it around or to a neighboring town then they do not care for the car. The vertical becomes a rocket and could kill any person in another car upon impact. He went on to ask me about my future plans. I shared them with him as well as my hesitations and he told me to ask myself “What is regret worth?” This can be applied to almost all major life choices. In reality everything is a choice and whether you take one path or another you do not want to end up with regret. So think about your choices and how they will affect you long term.  Note from the Editor: This is the first in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me.  By: Emily Sousa
With the world being in a dark place right now, there is a needed light, something to bring people together in a time where people are divided, and that is what PEP (People Empowering People) is doing for the Wethersfield community. The PEP is a group of volunteers and members who plan events to get people involved in their community and help people find their voice and strengths. To get a better understanding of the amazing work the members of PEP are doing, I interviewed the founders of PEP, Jeanne Berasi (The Wethersfield PEP Facilitator) and Kim Bobin (Wethersfield´s Family and Early Childhood Coordinator). Mrs. Berasi runs the classes and keeps the events going while Mrs. Bobbin communicates as she has an office in town hall. PEP is an organization, where the participants go to 10 classes then afterwards they plan either one big project or multiple small projects. All the participants meet up and discuss a project that they are all passionate about, and that will help the community “There is a lot of training leading up to the projects, that talks about communication, successes, and about failure and you keep trying even if you fail your learning,” Mrs. Berasi said. Their goals are to help people get involved in their community and to help people find their own inspiration and strengths. Even through COVID, their goals and plans to help the community were not stalled. For one of their most recent projects, Porch Portraits, Mrs. Berasi and her daughter Gabby went to peoples’ houses and took pictures of them from a safe distance. This project was a safe way to bring communities together all while raising $4,000 for local food banks. Mrs. Berasi and Mrs. Bobbin started PEP to bring communities together and help people find their strengths which are their families and where they come from. Kim Bobin discussed her inspiration in working in this organization,“It's my mom and my family. My mom is from Mexico, and when I was a kid going to Mexico I always felt like I didn't belong, and also as a teenager kind of felt like I didn't belong and so I'm just passionate about making sure people feel like they belong. Everybody has something special right and sometimes we just need someone to remind us what that is.” “I worked in international education for a long time, and helping people feel welcomed and helping them adjust to different norms and that is all very important and I know the struggle. My father is from Italy, he came here and spoke a different language and was held back in school, just making sure everybody feels comfortable with changes and with what's expected,” Jeanne Berasi added. PEP can be described in many ways as one big family. With a collective group of people working together, everyone knows and hangs out with everyone, they have reunions to bring old members back. Kim Bobin added, “My office is just covered with pictures of kids and families, and again I feel like that for me is where the heart of it comes from. I just love that feeling, I always wanted a big family and I love the feeling of having a family that speaks multiple languages, and different ages.” PEP is a UCONN extension program, formed by two friends for a partnership that will last forever. With the idea of helping people find themselves and bringing communities together, this group has done amazing work for communities everywhere. Look out for their latest projects Bicycles On Maine, coming to Old Wethersfield very soon. Remember to say hi to your neighbor, say hi to someone who is by themselves, invite them to your table and in the words of Kim Bobin, “Invite them to the table, and, if there is no room, make a bigger table.” |
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