Superintendent Awards

Regina L. Botsford, Region 15 Superintendent of Schools, and the Board of Education named six students at the June 8, 2015 board meeting as this spring’s recipients of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents and the Western Connecticut Superintendents Association (CAPSS/WCSA) Superintendent Student Award.

The students were selected by their teachers based on leadership, citizenship, academics, community service, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Memorial Middle School

Memorial Middle School student, Gabriella Gagas personifies excellence. She is the editor of the Newspaper Club, tutors students, is a member of the Estrellas Spanish Honor Society, and participates in Math Counts. Gabriella has earned her Silver Girl Scout Award, the highest Girl Scout honor, by doing volunteer work for Carolyn’s Place, a pregnancy care center. In the community, she works to create cards for the Harold Leever Cancer Center, and is actively involved in her church youth group and volleyball program. Gabriella maintains superior academic performance.

MMS 8^th grader, Andrew Kirrane is a very bright, well-rounded student. He is a leader in his academic classes, the MMS band, and a member of Estrellas as well as the soccer and basketball teams. Andrew is also involved in community service projects and was a Boy Scout for six years. Andrew is an excellent choice to represent MMS and Region 15 as the Superintendent Student Award recipient.

Rochambeau Middle School eighth-grader Seth Alley is a top student, earning high honors in all academic classes. Seth plays trumpet in the RMS Jazz Band and participated in Cross Country. Seth was selected as a school winner for the VFW Patriot’s Pen contest. Seth was recognized as a Spotlight Student as part of the school-wide efforts to promote P.R.I.D.E. Seth participates in community service activities. He is currently the patrol leader for his Boy Scout troop and is working toward earning Life Scout – one rank away from Eagle Scout.

Kaitlyn Burstiner is a top RMS student, earning straight A’s in all academic classes since the sixth grade. She is a student of distinction both inside and outside the classroom. Kaitlyn plays the flute and is an active participant in the Jazz Band, serves her fellow students as a peer tutor, and was selected as a team captain for the field hockey team. Kaitlyn participates in multiple service activities as well as the Southbury TEEN organization to promote positive and safe community activities.

Pomperaug High School senior Joanna Rizza ranks in the top five percent of her class, scored 2210 on her SAT, and has received multiple sports and academic awards, including “The Society of Women Engineers” award. She is a natural leader, as evidenced by her roles as president, captain, co-editor, and treasurer to five different organizations at Pomperaug. Joanna participates in the Student Council and Interact Club. Joanna possesses the academic skills and personal characteristics to make a difference in the world.

Luke Theriault, a senior at PHS, has been accepted into the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as well as The University of Connecticut’s Engineering Program; his decision is pending. Luke has been a leader and athlete on cross country, basketball, indoor track, and outdoor track teams. He coached skiing and volleyball for Special Olympics, as well as was involved in his church and community. Luke will most certainly continue his success academically and personally as he begins his journey after Pomperaug.

PICTURED (left to right): Seth Alley, Kaitlyn Burstiner, Luke Theriault, Joanna Rizza, Andrew Kirrane. Missing: Gabriella Gagas