Annual Town Hall Meeting and MEDALS Awards

Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families’ Annual Town Hall Meeting and MEDALS Awards

Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families held their annual Town Hall meeting and MEDALS Awards on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Stratford Town Hall Council Chambers.

The Youth Committee presented the 2018 M.O.N.E.Y (Mobilizing Our Neighbors and Engaging Youth) grants to six youth groups with a contribution of $250 in support of their community service projects. Recipients included:

• Kick Start Soccer Camp — Sterling House Community Center
• Give Your Gear Another Year Part 2 — STROBE—Sterling House Community Center
• Cuddle Kits — Chapel Street Elementary School
• Teen Tech Expo— Stratford Library Association
• Unlearn — Bunnell High School
• Teen Volunteers — Stratford Recreation Department

In addition, other funded projects through the Stratford Partnership included:

• Stratford High and Bunnell High School Post Proms
• Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Checks by Stratford Police Department
• Healthy Kids Day by the Stratford YMCA

The Stratford Partnership recognized local individuals, groups and businesses for their positive impact on the quality of life in Stratford and those who demonstrate leadership. The 2018 MEDALS (Making Extraordinary Difference And Leading Stratford) Award recipients included:

• Nicole Brito
• Stratford EMS Explorers Post 4911
• Kevin Giasullo
• Hearts of Hope Stratford Chapter
• Marilyn Marino
• Erin McLaughlin
• Pat Naylor
• Shawn and Jillian Poling
• Jenique Richards
• Stratford Rotary Club
• Max Sekscenski
• Alex Shein
• Aoife Smith
• Stratford Library Children’s Department Staff
• Christina Trombetta
• Mitchell Weinbaum
• Richard Whalen

Stratford Partnership Co-Chair Sean Kennedy and Prevention Coordinator Anna Gasinski recognized senior youth members: Hannah McLaughlin, Nicholas Satta, Kellie Taylor, Ameira Hernandez, Brianni Davillier, Michelle Harrison, Shannon Tripodi and Kristi Peña for their leadership and service to the Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families.

Lastly, the Stratford Partnership awarded the 2018 Dudley W. Orr Asset Champion award to Stratford High School senior, Joseph Wierzbicki, for demonstrating resilience and positive attitude and Lordship Elementary School teacher Lauren Cavalli, for actively working to promote developmental assets in Stratford youth.

For a complete list of 2017-18 Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families Accomplishments and event photos, go to: StratfordPartnership.org/2018.

In photo: Youth Committee members from left to right: Ameira Hernadez, Jayleen Herrera, Risa McLaughlin, Malcolm Brown, Kellie Taylor, Michelle Harrison, Brianni Davillier, Shannon Tripodi, Kayla Simon, Allison Boursiquot, Evan Fernandes, Samuel Branyan (back row) and Nicholas Satta, Hannah McLaughlin and Chéree Wright (front row)