<p class="ql-align-center">WCSU announces 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients</p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — A future music teacher from East Hartford and an aspiring cardiac surgeon from Brookfield have been named recipients of the 2024 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award by <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a>.</p><p><strong>Ezaan Khan</strong> has made the most of every opportunity available to him at WCSU and beyond. A <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/honors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathwari Honors Student</a> from Brookfield, Khan will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/biology/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Biology</a> with minors in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/chemistry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chemistry</a> and <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/math/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mathematics</a>, a GPA of 3.94 and the distinction of being named a Barnard Award winner.</p><p>“My experience at WCSU has been irreplaceable and life changing,” Khan said. “WCSU provided me countless opportunities to grow myself into being a more professional, knowledgeable, and honorable man. By taking as many opportunities as I could and then some, I was able to go from being a student to a leader to a mentor for future leaders. Some of the most notable and transformative opportunities at WCSU have been my executive role in the Student Government Association (SGA), my presidency for the Muslim Student Association (MSA), and my summer internship at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Department of Neurosurgery through WCSU’s Minorities in Medicine.”</p><p>Khan continued, “These experiences forever changed my life, from my leadership and public speaking skills to how I conduct myself on a daily basis. WCSU gave me a unique experience from the accredited education it provides to the diverse campus life it hosts. From the classes to the campus events, WCSU continued to teach me about anything and everything I wanted to learn, from biochemistry to piano to African-Caribbean culture!”</p><p>Khan was on the SGA Executive Board since his freshman year, rising to Chief Justice/Parliamentarian — a position he leveraged to advocate on behalf of the Biology Department specifically and the university in general to seek additional funding from the Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee of the Connecticut General Assembly. He’s also been involved in the Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards, and the Board of Regents Student Advisory Committee.</p><p>Khan served as president of the MSA in 2022-23, as treasurer of Honors Students of Compassion in 2022-23, as an orientation leader for the Center for Student Involvement in 2022-23, and as a Math Clinic tutor in 2022. He founded and created a Room of Reflection for WCSU students in search of a dedicated space for worship or meditation with the help of the Office of Intercultural Affairs. His intense involvement on campus does not preclude his presence in the community. He volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician at the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company, and works as an EMT for Nuvance Health at Danbury Hospital. He also volunteers at his local mosque, Baitul Mukarram, as a religious teacher, assistant youth director and mentor to children aged 6-16.</p><p>Khan received the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy (Spanish/English) in 2021, and accepted the Diversity Student Organization of the Year as president of the MSA in 2022. He received the Nuvance Health Bravo Award for Dedication to Emergency Medical Services in 2023 and earned Advanced Senior Research Distinction in Biology in 2024. He participated in research in the laboratories of several WCSU Biology faculty members, which prepared him for his summer 2023 research assistant duties at UNC.</p><p><strong>Desiree Velez</strong>, of East Hartford, is a high-achieving first-generation student who not only had to contend with the difficulties caused by Covid-19 as an incoming freshman, but also the financial realities of paying her own way through college. Velez will receive a WCSU Bachelor of Science in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/music/degrees/bachelor-of-science-in-music-education/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music Education</a> at WCSU’s Commencement on May 12. She not only rose above these challenges, but became a role model to the countless prospective high school students whom she encountered as a Music Department crew member who interacted with students and their families on audition days, as an Admissions tour guide and as a REP4 student ambassador.</p><p>With her countless achievements, including a 3.95 GPA, four years as a <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/honors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathwari Honors Scholar</a>, Dean’s List every semester and her recent selection as a Barnard Award winner, Velez would have every right to seek the spotlight, but instead prefers to highlight those she believes guided, helped or supported her during her journey toward becoming a music teacher and future school administrator.</p><p>“My intention of going into education is not only to provide quality education to all students, but also to change the inequities of our current education system,” Velez said. “I wish to create active change that provides opportunities to all students regardless of race, financial status, gender expression, or any other factor that may make a student feel excluded. With all of that being said, providing for my community is something that will always be important to me. It is my belief that all educators provide a deep and enriching service to their community. One that everyone who is part of that community can benefit from. I would not be able to provide for my community without the people who have helped me along the way.”</p><p>Velez has worked for four years as a crew member for the Music Department, for two years as the operations manager at the Westside Campus Center for the university’s Event and Conference Management Office, and as a tour guide for the Admissions Office during 2021-22. She has been recognized at the CHESLA Honors Scholarship Ceremony, with a Minority Teacher Incentive Program Grant, an Aspiring Educator Diversity Scholarship, the Kannengeiser Endowed Scholarship, the V.G. Cunningham Music Education Scholarship and the JUMY Scholarship.</p><p>At the same time, Velez has been vice president of the Music Education Club for the past two</p><p>years, and was a student leader for the WCSU Honors Music Festival in 2022-23. Since her freshman year, she’s been active in the WCSU Spirit Band as a saxophone player, as a Brass Club member, an Audio Club member and an Ives Concert Flutist. She has volunteered at WCSU’s Professional Development Day for Arts Educators for three years, at the East Hartford High School Preseason for the past three summers, and at the SVPA Summer Arts Technology Workshops in 2024.</p><p>Velez recalled her trip to Idaho to be part of REP4’s Alliance-Wide Gathering that took place at Boise State University. “At this event I had the opportunity to share my story and be part of the conversation around furthering education for high school students who feel that college is not an opportunity meant for them. This experience greatened my passion for education and inspiring students who come from backgrounds like I did that they have the ability to do more than what their parents did.”</p><p>Both students expressed gratitude for the opportunities they had while at WCSU and for recognition of their achievements by being selected as this year’s Barnard Award winners.</p><p>“I feel privileged yet humbled for being recognized with the Barnard award,” Khan said. “I want to thank first and foremost Allah (SWT) for without His help, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this. I also want to thank my parents and siblings for their continuous support through my arduous college journey. Finally, I want to thank my close friends in the SGA and MSA for seeing my potential and helping me attain it to the fullest.”</p><p>Khan continued, “I am appreciative of my struggle for academic excellence and servitude to the WCSU student body being recognized. This award will make an immense difference in my applications to medical schools, allowing me to shoot as high as an ivy league! However, my accomplishments pale in comparison to the hard work of those who strive to obtain their education with the struggles of immigration, full-time jobs, and/or children, as a few of my close friends did. I hope that through my recognition with this award we can also recognize their dedication to doing the very thing this college was built for, stepping up in the world.”</p><p>Velez said she’s extremely honored to receive the Barnard Award. “I find myself straying away from sharing my story too much because it can be very stereotypical: ‘A girl from a low-income district who faced her challenges and got a degree against all odds.’ Sometimes I feel it’s too cliché to talk about,” she said. “It’s through situations like this, winning such a meaningful award, that reminds me that my story may be cliché, but it’s the truth. I’m hoping that I can use recognitions like these to further demonstrate how limitless the possibilities are for all students regardless of where they come from.”</p><p>For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><u>There is still time to Honor an Educator!&nbsp;Nominations open through&nbsp;this weekend!</u></strong></p><p><strong>Is there a teacher, coach, scout leader, bus driver or other educator in your life who has made a difference to you or someone in your family?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<strong><em>Let them know!</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nominate them through the annual "Honor an Educator" program offered by the Brookfield Education Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The 2024&nbsp;Honor&nbsp;an&nbsp;Educator&nbsp;program aims to recognize the many&nbsp;educators&nbsp;making a difference in the Brookfield community. Anyone whose</p><p>contributions to the community positively impact our lives may be nominated. All honorees will be invited to a reception in their&nbsp;honor, receive a certificate of appreciation, and their</p><p>names will be displayed in a special listing on the BEF website. The BEF is a local funding source, providing resources for lifelong learning by Brookfield residents of all ages; proceeds raised will go to fund future grants in the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nominations will be accepted through Saturday, April 27. For any questions regarding the&nbsp;Honor&nbsp;an&nbsp;Educator&nbsp;program, please contact Amy D’Alessandro at&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">BEFCTHonor@gmail.com</span></p><p><a href="http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/bx-mhHaDqO3h7sMyIeu11A~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoCU8IP4QHAWh0dHA6Ly90cmFjay5zcGUuc2Nob29sbWVzc2VuZ2VyLmNvbS9mL2EvVklvc2UzVGdDTkowckpWU2lKeGV2QX5-L0FBQUFBUUF-L1JnUm43WjVhUDBSTWFIUjBjSE02THk5M2QzY3VZbkp2YjJ0bWFXVnNaR1ZrZFdOaGRHbHZibVp2ZFc1a1lYUnBiMjR1YjNKbkwyVjJaVzUwY3k5b2IyNXZjaTFoYmkxbFpIVmpZWFJ2Y2kweU1ESTBMMWNIYzJOb2IyOXNiVUlLWmdYYWFneG0xaUVuMWxJWllXMTVjbVJoYkdWemMyRnVaSEp2UUdkdFlXbHNMbU52YlZnRUFBQUFBUX5-VwdzY2hvb2xtQgpmJ4gbKGaQ4TpYUhNrZXJyeUBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tWAQAAAAB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Please click here for the BEF website to learn more, and&nbsp;Honor&nbsp;an&nbsp;Educator&nbsp;today!</a></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">Parents and caregivers are invited to join us for a Parent University at WMS on Wednesday, April 24th, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Sessions will be 20 minutes in length. You will have an opportunity to attend three sessions. Come join us&nbsp; for a night&nbsp;dedicated to empowering and supporting you on your parenting journey through the middle school experience!&nbsp;&nbsp;For our planning purposes, please indicate which sessions you would like to attend.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">RSVP </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScikRGTsmGxQMiSTpBQkgHlsrDqSlwElSc-sGFsoeNFF7tVwQ/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

<h2><span style="color: rgb(50, 55, 61); background-color: transparent;">Why Small Businesses Matter</span></h2><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Shop small, do big things for your community</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Meet Flavia DeSouza founder of </span><a href="https://www.bellusbeautyspot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Bellus Beauty Spot</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The goal of Bellus Beauty Spot is to promote health and wellness by providing people with services that increase their self-esteem and promote confidence.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">What is your best-selling product/service?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">We offer a few services, such as massage therapy, waxing, and facials. Our best selling service is our Brazilian waxing service.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">What do you want the community to know?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">We are in the process of trying to be more connected with our community.&nbsp;We have been in business for just over a year now. We are constantly going through the process of researching new products, services, and approaches to better service our clients.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Bellus Beauty Spot is located at 67 Federal Road in Brookfield.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Visit Bellus Beauty Spot online </span><a href="https://www.bellusbeautyspot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://www.bellusbeautyspot.com/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Follow along on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bellusbeautyspot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Facebook </a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">and </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bellusbeautyspot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Instagram</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:bellusbeautyspot@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">bellusbeautyspot@gmail.com</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Bloom into Spring by creating a miniature cottagecore&nbsp;garden -<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> </span>all inside an Altoid's tin! </p><p>The event will take place on Friday, May 3rd from 3:45 - 5 PM in the Community Room. </p><p>Use moss, twigs, fake flowers, miniature mushrooms, and wee woodland creatures like hedgehogs and frogs to make a secret garden that you can take with you wherever you go.</p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Grades 6 - 12</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Supplies limited</span></p><p>Register <a href="https://brookfieldlib.librarycalendar.com/event/secret-pocket-garden-13476" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a>&nbsp;will celebrate its recent <a href="https://news.wcsu.edu/wcsu-designated-a-hispanic-serving-institution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">designation</a> as a Hispanic-Serving Institution with an afternoon of events on Thursday, April 25, that pay tribute to the heritage of the community the university serves. The festivities will take place at the Berkshire Hall lobby and patio on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury, and will be free and open to the public. The first 150 attendees will receive an HSI T-shirt and everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for some WCSU Swag. RSVP at <a href="https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation</a>. </p><p><strong>Planned events include:</strong></p><p>3:30 p.m. – Welcome by WCSU Pre-Collegiate &amp; Access Programs Associate Director Jessica Coronel, and Gabriela Perez, a graduating senior majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Multicultural Studies. Perez’s senior thesis for the Anthropology/Sociology major is an ethnographic study focusing on what makes a quality HSI. She is interviewing students and faculty, and will be summarizing her findings and personal experiences of the difference that intentional HSI planning and development can make in the lives of Hispanic students.</p><p>3:45 p.m. – Celebration of Puerto Rican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrassCityBomba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brass City Bomba</a></p><p>4:15 p.m. – Celebration of Brazilian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connecticutcapoeira/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benção Capoeira</a></p><p>4:30 p.m. – Lobo Awards Ceremony, presented by WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology Dr. Carina Bandhauer. Recipients are: Lobo Leadership Award –&nbsp;Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves; Lobo Student Award – Najely A. Clavijo; Lobo Faculty/Staff Award – WCSU Director of Financial Aid &amp; Student Employment Melissa Stephens; Lobo Alumni Awards – Carolina Bortolleto and Camila Bortolleto</p><p>5:10 p.m. – Celebration of Mexican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trio.lospajaros/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trio Los Pájaros</a>&nbsp;– Mariachi Music</p><p>5:45 p.m. – Celebration of Ecuadorian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by dancers from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentroCivicoEcuatoriano/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecuadorian Civic Center of Greater Danbury</a></p><p>6 p.m. – Closing</p><p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">In addition to the entertainment, WCSU’s Sodexo dining services will provide an assortment of food to celebrate the occasion in style. Among the offerings will be an aguas frescas station, and tortilla and plantain chips with assorted dips including jalapeno cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole and hot sauce. A buffet will feature grilled chicken asada, jasmine rice and a garden salad, and there will be a churro station for dessert — all at no cost to celebration participants.</span></p><p>For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>