Politics & Government

Windsor Locks Middle School Students Honored For Their Essays

Eleven winners and 11 runners up were announced Tuesday by State Sen. John A. Kissel during a ceremony at the school.

 

The winners and runners up of  the Historic Figures in Connecticut History Essay Contest were recognized Tuesday during a ceremony at .

Parents, family, school officials, State Sen. John A. Kissel, and representatives of 360 Federal Credit Union attended the ceremony.

Kissel said he came up with the idea for the contest about three years ago and started it in Enfield. This year Windsor Locks was chosen as the next community in his district to have the contest, he said.

“From the look of the turnout it’s going to be a hit,” Kissel said.

The students were asked to write about historic figures from Connecticut and their impact on state history, officials said. They wrote about Nathan Hale, Windsor Locks' own Ella T. Grasso, Noah Webster, Katherine Hepburn, Benedict Arnold and others.

The students read their essays to an audience in the library media center.

Middle School Principal Gregory Blanchfield said the students worked on the essays in the midst of taking the Connecticut Mastery Tests in March. They took the tests during the day and went home to work on their essays at night, Blanchfield said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this school,” Blanchfield said. “I’m humbled by you.”

The 360 Federal Credit Union provided Visa gift cards to the 11 winners and 11 runners up.

“At 360 Federal Credit Union we strongly support youth education programs in Windsor Locks and throughout north-central Connecticut,” Robert L. Aresti, 360 Federal Credit Union President/CEO, said in a statement. “This essay contest brings area schools, students, teachers and parents together in a collaborative effort which encourages kids to research and write about influential and inspiring Connecticut men and women. We’re proud to support the contest and to recognize and congratulate the winners and runners-up for their very thoughtful efforts.”

Kissel said it’s great that the students wrote the essays for the honor of it but it’s also nice that they receive a reward as well.


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