State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89), center, participated in Fire Ops 101 on April 7 in Hartford. The program provides hands-on experience and information about firefighting. Zupkus suited up for an exercise that simulated the rigors of tackling a fire-related emergency. –CONTRIBUTED
Six Woodland Regional High School students participated in the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers Poetry Recitation Contest on March 1. Pictured, from left, Rayhan Luzeri won the silver medal for 9-10 grade Arabic, Andreea Ionesca won the gold medal for French 2 and Chloe Veiera won the silver medal for 9-10 grade Portuguese. -CONTRIBUTED
Prospect Girl Scout Troop 64177 collected and donated blankets, food and toys to the Connecticut Humane Society. Linda, a volunteer from the Connecticut Humane Society came to pick up all the donations and talked to the girls about responsible pet ownership. -CONTRIBUTED
Pfc. Glenn Michael Taraskewich of Beacon Falls graduated from basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina, on Jan. 17, 2014. After graduation, he completed 29 days of Marine Combat Training at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. He has begun his MOS training in Artillery at Fort Sill, Okla. Taraskewich, a graduate of Woodland Regional High School, is the son of Dianna and G. Michael Taraskewich of Beacon Falls. -CONTRIBUTED
State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) met with students March 26 from Prospect and Southington who were at the state Capitol to participate in TeenPact, a hands-on leadership program for Christian students aimed at giving students more understanding of the political process. The students included Joshua Shirk, Hannah Shirk, Daniel Shirk, Christopher Lynch, Jessena Sterling, Juliana Sterling, Susannah Wallace and Rebekah Wallace. -CONTRIBUTED
Maple Hill School first-grader Odin Anderson receives some help during a drill from volunteer Alyssa Roberts, a fifth-grade student at Cross Street Intermediate School, during the Hoops and Homework program at the school in Naugatuck April 8. The program, which Ruccio developed, is designed to help the first- through fourth-graders at Maple Hill School to become better at basketball while enforcing good study habits by being successful in their homework assignments. –KEN MORSE
Prospect residents and Kaynor Technical High School students, from left, Nicholas Donnangelo, Taylor Girard and Matthew DiBlanda competed March 28 at the State Leadership Conference and Connecticut Skill Championships. DiBlanda took first place with his teammate Yasmin Jimenez (not pictured) in the promotional bulletin board competition. He also earned a medal in job interview and second place in spelling. In addition, he was honored as chapter co-president. Donnangelo was named state champion in collision repair, a day long hands-on competition where he had to demonstrate a variety of skills. Girard won a medal in skills connect nurse assisting. On June 23, DiBlanda and Donnangelo will be heading out to Kansas City, Mo. for six days to compete against the champions from the other 49 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam. Kaynor Tech will be holding a pasta dinner on April 24 to defray the costs of travel and competition. For tickets or to donate, call Barbara Marroquin at (203) 578-8783. -CONTRIBUTED
The U8 Prospect United girls soccer team was recently crowned league champions as the team completed an undefeated season (7-0) in league play at Farmington Sports Arena. Pictured in top row (from left) coach Dana Mulligan, Casey Mulligan, Kyla O’Connor, Isabella Mastropietro, Ava Muharem, Brooke Geary, coach Dave Celotto, bottom row (from left) Jamie Shaffer, Emme Starzman, Alexa Choi, Michaela Gasparri, Daniella Celotto and Meghan Hartnett. Missing from photo, Keira Farrell.-CONTRIBUTED
Brooke Reilly of Beacon Falls won the Citizen’s News’ Easter coloring contest in the 9- to 12-year-old age group. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Lana Poulin of Prospect won the Citizen’s News’ Easter coloring contest in the 6- to 8-year-old age group. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Maple Hill School first-grade teacher Jodie Ruccio, left, who also coaches the Naugatuck High School girls basketball team, gives students some pointers with the assistance of Maple Hill School Principal Cheryl Kane during the Hoops and Homework program at the school in Naugatuck April 8. The program, which Ruccio developed, is designed to help the first- through fourth-graders at Maple Hill School to become better at basketball while enforcing good study habits by being successful in their homework assignments. –KEN MORSE
Alexander Gelada of Naugatuck won the Citizen’s News’ Easter coloring contest in the 3- to 5-year-old age group. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
