Hamden High School Gets In The Spirit

Hamden’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) met Monday evening to decide which  groups would be recipients of a PTSA Spirit Award grant.

PTSA president Timothy Notolli, treasurer Mary Kearney and School Board Chair Michael D’Agonstino were on hand to hear the requests for the grants that support various activities the groups have planned.

Each of the seven groups competing for their cause did a mini presentation about what their club does for the school and the community. The PTSA has $1,000 to distribute, and each group awarded would get a maximum of $250.00.

But when the PTSA was ready to vote on who would get the grants, D’Agostino delivered a surprise: he offered $50 of his own money, he said, and added that the BOE will contribute an additional $1,050, bringing the total available to $2,100 -- enough money to fund each group.

The first group was Team H Demaio House, a program that supports freshman success at the high school. The group helps struggling students become focused by giving them additional support where needed and encourages them to become involved with their school and establish a connection. 

Freshman Jonathan Young spoke for the group and said they would use the money to fund a trip to Boston visiting the Freedom Trail Museum, Quincy Market and the New England Aquarium.  

"It is better to actually go see history to help with the learning experience,” Young said. "The experience would be better than sitting in a classroom with a book.”  

The next appeal came from the Hamden High School Dance Team, which has been in existence for 10 years and gets no funding. The team  holds the title of state champions, and has held that title for the last four years, according to Kathy Swillinger, one of the team's coaches. 

The team performs at pep rallies, football games and freshman orientation, she said, and holds food and toy drives for the community. The funding would help defray costs for each member to attend competitions, she said.

Next up was the Hope Society, a student group that supports the fight against cancer. Vice President Taylor Campano said they need the money to help support their up coming fundraiser, a biathlon on May 14 consisting of running and swimming. The money would pay for custodial support for the event, Campano said.

All of the money from the fundraiser will go to Jordan Jacques, a classmate battling cancer, Campano said. "We want to show our support,” Campano said.

The Latin Club, represented by Emily Feeley, wants to raise knowledge of Roman culture. Theirs is an educational club that promotes team spirit while having a good time, she said.

The group needs the funds to attend the annual Latin Day in Connecticut on May 11 at Holiday Hill in Prospect. Hamden High School has a chariot and the students wear togas that they make themselves, Feeley said.

“We wear togas to show a strong identity and to show our team spirit,” she said.

STTOP is a Gay student alliance group promoting acceptance in the school community. According to representative Jacqueline Williams, the group needs the funding to attend Connecticut’s Gay Pride Celebration in Hartford on June 11.

“They are trying to gain support for students during a difficult time in their lives and STTOP helps create acceptance in high school,” Williams said. The group has brought the school together in accepting others, she said.

Also requesting a grant is The Dial, Hamden High School’s newspaper.  

The paper needs to be resurrected and she had to build a staff, said editor Megan Carroll. The rising cost of publishing a newspaper has put them in debt, she said.

A school newspaper is vital to the school population to keep everyone connected, she said. They grant money would support a fund raiser that will help eliminate their debt.  They will be holding a Mr. Hamden High School competition -- a spoof on beauty pageants -- later in the year, she said. 

The Hamden High School Venture is a creation of senior memories for the year book, Jacqueline Williams said.

“This year is especially important -- it’s Hamden High School’s 75th anniversary,” she said, so they want to create a yearbook all students would enjoy.

“We would like to use the money to make the cost affordable to everyone, not just seniors,” she said. This year’s yearbook would be a special edition, she said, with alumni will be returning to be photographed, along with current teachers who are also alumni.