Farmington, West Hartford Students Honored For Videos On Civic Engagement

FARMINGTON/WEST HARTFORD, CT — Students from Farmington and West Hartford were recognized this week as winners of a civic engagement video contest organized by the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford.

The contest invited high school students from across Greater Hartford to create original short videos promoting civic participation through voting or other forms of democratic engagement.

Each submission also included an annotated bibliography.

Winners were announced May 11 during the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford's annual meeting and dinner at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford.

First place and a $1,000 award went to Tejaswi Sirikonda of Farmington High School.

Maya Kutz, also of Farmington High School, earned second place and a $500 award.

Jackson Hardman of Conard High School in West Hartford received third place and a $250 award.

During the event, guest speaker State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull, also a Quinnipiac University professor, discussed the U.S. Constitution, challenges facing democratic institutions, and civic participation.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford said the contest was designed to encourage student involvement in civic life and increase awareness about the importance of participation in government and democracy.

The organization describes itself as a nonpartisan group focused on promoting informed and active participation in government.