Algonquin School third-grader Matthew Petta, left, explains his chocolate chip cookie experiment to David Eggleton of Wolcott during the school’s 20th Annual Third Grade Science Fair in Prospect. Petta’s experiment sought to find out which cookie brand has the most chocolate chips. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Long River Middle School eighth-graders Jeffrey Varesio, left, and Alexandra Chabot, right, were awarded the South Central Association of Superintendents Award for their strong commitment to academic excellence, community service, and leadership among their peers at an awards luncheon March 13 at Cascade Fine Catering in Hamden. The students are pictured with Region 16 Superintendent of Schools Michael Yamin. –CONTRIBUTED
The Naugatuck Exchange Club held a tree lighting ceremony April 7 on the Town Green in Naugatuck. The tree, which is covered in blue lights, will remain lit through April to mark Child Abuse Awareness Month. –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan announced the promotion of 11 employees recently. Phil Masquelette and Hunter Merrill were promoted to first vice president. Steve Greenberg was promoted to vice president/residential mortgage sales leader. Annmarie Luskay, Jacqueline Hasenauer, Kelly Crone and Robert Stabile were promoted to vice president. Matthew Hallet was promoted to assistant secretary/information systems security officer. Michele Gagnon, Christopher Horvath and Elizabeth Perugini all were promoted to assistant secretary. Pictured, back row from left, Gagnon, Horvath, Masquelette, Stabile, Merrill; first row from left, Perugini, Crone, Luskay, Hallet and Hasenauer. Not pictured, Greenberg. –CONTRIBUTED
Cross Street fifth-grader Vicki Weng, left, and Maple Hill Elementary School fourth-grader Mireya Trelles were recognized during the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest County Awards Luncheon March 26 in Cromwell. Weng and Trelles won first place in the New Haven County Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Pictured with the students is Naugatuck Acting Deputy Fire Marshal William Scanlon. –CONTRIBUTED
St. Francis-St. Hedwig School fourth-grader Angelina Gregory presents her book report on ‘White Dolphin’ during the school’s Most Outstanding Book Awards April 8. The awards, which are set up like the Academy Awards, featured eight students presenting reports on books. After the presentations, the audience members voted for who they thought had the best presentation. Gregory won second place, fourth-grader Angelina Pires finished first and fifth-grader Matthew Farrelly won third. -LUKE MARSHALL
The Naugatuck Education Foundation sponsored Odyssey of the Mind Team from left, Kiera Deleon, Kaylee Fitzgerald, Charlotte Oehley, Cameron Jacobs, Liam Reilly and Samantha Mullin, came in first place in the Spontaneous Competition at the state tournament held at Southern Connecticut State University March 21. The team, which is made up of fifth-graders from Naugatuck, was coached by Laura Fitzgerald and Jess Nichols. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. –CONTRIBUTED
Prospect Boy Scout Troop 258 braved the first day of spring snowstorm and camped out March 21-22 at Deer Lake in Killingworth. The scouts stayed in tents in the snow and learned how to survive the cold elements. –CONTRIBUTED
The Citizen’s News recently held a St. Patrick’s Day coloring contest. We would like to thank all of the children who participated in the contest. Winners of the contest were chosen in three separate age groups. Leah Chatfield won in the 6- to 8-year-old age group. –CITIZEN’S NEWS
Ion Bank recently awarded the SARF Award (Safety & Security, Accuracy, Responsiveness and Friendly, Personalized Service) to bank teller Anna Michael. The award is the bank’s top customer service commendation. Pictured, from left, Ion Bank President & CEO Charles Boulier III, Michael, and Ion Bank Branch Manager Marianne Como. –CONTRIBUTED
Patrick Kelley, a senior commercial lender at Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan, received a 2015 New Leader in Banking award from the Connecticut Bankers Association and Connecticut Bankers Magazine recently. The award recognizes people who work at a bank, are 50 years old or younger and make a significant contribution to their institution and/or community. –CONTRIBUTED
The Citizen’s News recently held a St. Patrick’s Day coloring contest. We would like to thank all of the children who participated in the contest. Winners of the contest were chosen in three separate age groups. Conner Perry won in the 9- to 12-year-old age group. –CITIZEN’S NEWS
Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo, pictured with basketball players from City Hill Middle School, was awarded the Van Allen Medal from the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. Mezzo was presented the award March 21 during the awards presentation at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race and Festival. David Rotatori presented the medal Mezzo on behalf of the United Way’s Board of Directors. The medal is named after the founding members of the United Way, Robert and Anna Lee Van Allen. It was created in 2007 to honor the Van Allens and recognizes people for extraordinary service to their community. Mezzo was recognized for volunteering with youth sports in the borough. He started coaching in his 20s, including with Naugatuck Hounds Pop Warner, Little Pal basketball, and youth baseball and softball. He has also been announcing Naugatuck High School football games for the past three years. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
The Citizen’s News recently held a St. Patrick’s Day coloring contest. We would like to thank all of the children who participated in the contest. Winners of the contest were chosen in three separate age groups. Eva Rose Teixeira won in the 3- to 5-year-old age group.–CITIZEN’S NEWS
