U.S. Air Force Airman Jacqueline Arcos recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. Arcos completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Arcos, a 2014 graduate of Naugatuck High School, is the daughter of Patricia Gomez of Naugatuck. –CONTRIBUTED
The Connecticut Community Foundation awarded college scholarships to more than 420 local students at a reception at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury on June 20. The scholarship recipients included Beacon Falls residents Tyler Ciavarella, Laura Vitzoski and Monica Vitzoski; Naugatuck residents Dean Andrade, Bryan Garcia-Medina, Edesiri Igbuya, Erin Korowotny, Theresa Montoni, Kevin Okifo, Oghenenyerovwo Faith Okifo, Toni Smith, Tyler Suarez, Allison Tortorici, Christina Tran and Amanda Valentin; Prospect residents Jarrett Allen, Drew Chura, Mitchill Moutinho, Zyria Newman, Bianca Poehailos, Ariana Sherwood and Salma Shitia. -CONTRIBUTED
Project Purple founder and CEO Dino Verrelli, right, receives the Athletics Alumni Award from Roger Williams University, his alma mater, from RWU Director of Athletics David Kemmy at the university’s 2017 athletics award banquet. The award is presented annually to alum who have shown outstanding commitment to RWU athletics and outstanding community service efforts post-graduation. Project Purple is a nonprofit organization with a mission of raising awareness and funds toward a cure of pancreatic cancer. ‘His support and dedication to his cause and the Purple Project mission is something to be admired and continues to be a lifeline to many families that are affected by this awful disease,’ said Kemmy in a press release. -CONTRIBUTED
Emmett O’Brien Technical High School graduating senior Brianna Gessner of Naugatuck was one of 34 students to receive a scholarship from the KBE Building Corporation on June 13 during a ceremony at E.C. Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain. The scholarships aim to support students aiming to advance their skills in construction trades, construction management, architecture, and engineering. Pictured, from left, KBE Building Corporation Senior Vice President Simon F. Etzel, Jr., Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Gessner. –CONTRIBUTED
Artist Kiki Michalek, of Naugatuck, recently won three awards for two paintings she entered in the 19th annual Woodcarvers and Art Show on June 3 at the Carousel Museum of New England in Bristol. Michalek won second place for ‘Wolf,’ and first place for ‘Midnight Rose’ in their respective classes. ‘Midnight Rose’ also won Best of Show. -CONTRIBUTED
The Clube Uniao Portuguesa recently awarded its annual scholarships to three students of club members, from left, Laura Vitzoski from Woodland Regional High School, Rachel Queiros from Naugatuck High School and Julia DaSilva from Sacred Heart High School. -CONTRIBUTED
The Early Childhood Center at Central Avenue in Naugatuck recently honored Naugatuck Deputy Fire Marshal William Scanlon for his efforts over the last 13 years for the preschool children and families at the center, including organizing events at the firehouse. Scanlon, who plans to retire in August, also received a proclamation from Mayor N. Warren ‘Pete’ Hess for his fire safety contributions to Naugatuck’s students. –CONTRIBUTED
U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Jordyn Sigetti recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Sigetti completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Sigetti is a 2013 graduate of Naugatuck High School and the daughter of Dennis Sigetti of Naugatuck and Rebecca Sigetti of Shelton. –CONTRIBUTED
The Waterbury CT Teachers Federal Credit Union awarded $12,500 in scholarships to four area students, including Katelyn Brodeur, a 2017 Naugatuck High School graduate. Brodeur, second from the right, received The Jean O’Brien Memorial Scholarship, a four-year scholarship granted to a student with a declared major in education and plans for a career in teaching. She plans to major in elementary education at Southern Connecticut State University. Pictured, from left, Credit union board member John Fontaine, scholarship recipient Shannon Goggin, Damaris Cabrera’s mother, scholarship recipient Heather Brown, credit union board Chairman John Cronan, Brodeur and board member Gary Huckins. –CONTRIBUTED
Flowers from Marcucio Farms in Ansonia are lined up during the Naugatuck farmers market July 19 on the Green on Church Street. The market is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Jim Doback, standing, talks with his father, Charlie Doback Sr., 96, of Naugatuck, as they look over a 1954 Corvette July 20 during a car cruise at Beacon Brook Health Center in Naugatuck. Beacon Brook and the Oil Can Boys Car Club co-sponsored the cruise. The proceeds from the admission fee for cars were donated to Rose Hope Animal Refuge, a non-kill animal rescue nonprofit organization. Carvel on New Haven Road in Naugatuck donated 100 chocolate and vanilla Flying Saucer ice cream sandwiches for dessert. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Beacon Hose Company No. 1 Fire Chief Brian DeGeorge, right, welcomes Rev. Mathais Vellappallil of St. Michael Church in Beacon Falls as the company’s newest chaplain at the firehouse Aug. 7 after presenting him with a chaplain’s hat and badge. Vellappallil started at St. Michael Church on June 29. –LUKE MARSHALL
The Club Health & Fitness celebrated the grand opening of its new location at 100 Prospect St. in Naugatuck with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 5. Pictured, from left, Tom Hill of Tom Hill Realty and Investment, Burgess Donald Wisniewski, Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Ron Pugliese, Burgess Laurie Taf-Jackson, The Club owner Joe Gworek, Carter Gworek, Burgess Carl Herb, Burgess Rocky Vitale and Naugatuck Chamber Director Courtney Ligi. –LUKE MARSHALL
Jace Butkevich, 9, of Oakville, rides his bicycle around the track at Naugatuck High School during a mini-triathlon Auf. 1. The triathlon was part of a six-week Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program hosted by the Naugatuck YMCA. The program, which was founded to celebrate the life of Chase Kowalski who was one of the students killed during the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, concluded with a triathlon at YMCA Camp Sloper in Southington on Aug. 5. –LUKE MARSHALL
Jackie Uva, 13, of Naugatuck, runs around the track at Naugatuck High School during a mini-triathlon Auf. 1. The triathlon was part of a six-week Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program hosted by the Naugatuck YMCA. The program, which was founded to celebrate the life of Chase Kowalski who was one of the students killed during the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, concluded with a triathlon at YMCA Camp Sloper in Southington on Aug. 5. –LUKE MARSHALL
Kaylee Icokaitis, 8, of Beacon Falls, hands a lemonade to Beacon Falls public works employee Jeff Kean during the United Day School’s annual lemonade stand Aug. 2 next to the firehouse on North Main Street. The school, which holds runs the stand every year, raised $450 during the sale. The money was donated to Beacon Falls police Officer Caroline O’Bar to help her fill backpacks with school supplies for children in need in the community. O’Bar buys backpacks and school supplies for local children who need them each year. –LUKE MARSHALL
Avangeline Magi, 8, of Prospect, fills a cup with lemonade as Abigail Diamanette, 7, of Naugatuck, prepares to fill the next cup during the United Day School’s annual lemonade stand Aug. 2 next to the firehouse on North Main Street. The school, which holds runs the stand every year, raised $450 during the sale. The money was donated to Beacon Falls police Officer Caroline O’Bar to help her fill backpacks with school supplies for children in need in the community. O’Bar buys backpacks and school supplies for local children who need them each year. –LUKE MARSHALL
Magician Ed Popielarczyk teaches Ava Laudadio, 11, of Prospect, a knot magic trick July 31 during a magic workshop at the Prospect Library. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Louise Marcucio, of Marcucio Farms in Ansonia, bags peaches for a customer during the Naugatuck farmers market July 19 on the Green on Church Street. The market is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Alison Carroll, of Naugatuck, shoots a 9mm handgun as William Bridges, a volunteer and certified instructor, watches over her during the Women on Target shooting clinic July 29 at the High Rock Shooting Association’s shooting range in the Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck. About 30 women attended the clinic, which was divided into two sessions. The clinic was sponsored by the High Rock Shooting Association and the National Rifle Association. The clinic is one of several programs hosted annually by the High Rock Shooting Association. It was open to novice and experienced shooters, and is designed to create opportunities, encourage, educate and mentor women’s responsible participation in recreational shooting sports. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Seanda Morgan, of Waterbury, shoots an AR-15 rifle as Mike Carpentieri, a volunteer and certified instructor, watches over her during the Women on Target shooting clinic July 29 at the High Rock Shooting Association’s shooting range in the Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck. About 30 women attended the clinic, which was divided into two sessions. The clinic was sponsored by the High Rock Shooting Association and the National Rifle Association. The clinic is one of several programs hosted annually by the High Rock Shooting Association. It was open to novice and experienced shooters, and is designed to create opportunities, encourage, educate and mentor women’s responsible participation in recreational shooting sports. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Joshua Hassan, a rising junior at Woodland Regional High School, shot an 84 and finished in second place at the annual Nutmeg State Games on July 16 at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain. -CONTRIBUTED
Prospect residents Matt Belcher, first from the left in the front row, and Kyle Simpson, third from the left in the back row, played on the Hit Club 14U AAU travel baseball team, which won the Backyard Baseball Classic 14U wood bat tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. on July 9. The team went undefeated in the weekend tournament and defeated the Clinton County Mariners of Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7-4, in extra innings in the championship game. -LEEZA DESJARDINS
The Union City Little League 8-10 District All Stars beat Shelton National Little League, 9-4, at Peter J. Foley Little League Stadium in Naugatuck on July 13 to win the Connecticut District 3 championship for the second year in a row. Union City finished the tournament undefeated. This is the first back-to-back district title for Union City at this level in its history. Pictured, front row from left, Ryan McLaughlin, Andrew Jones, Tyler Accetura, Joseph Kovach, Billy Morran, JoJo Guzman, James Korowotny, Brendan Cummings, Damon Abate, Colton Hofmann, Colin Sanderson, Anthony Shivas, Ethan Williams; back row from left, assistant coach Sean McLaughlin, head coach Don Shivas and assistant coach Kris Abate. -CONTRIBUTED
The Naugatuck High School girls basketball team, sponsored by KC Landscaping Co. and Anthony Cretella, recently competed in the Waterbury North End Rec Summer League. Pictured, front row from left, Alexa Woods, Mia Rotatori, Molly Kennedy, Alyana Sosa, Hailey Deitelbaum, Shannon Burns; back row from left, coach Ron Plasky, Evelyn Diaz, Brielle Behuniak, Alissa McNeil, Hailey Russell and coach Fred Scheithe. Missing from the photo, Alyssa Roberts. –CONTRIBUTED
