Stories
<p>A Silver Maple sapling took root in the idyllic Rainbow Lake community in Ridgefield. Over time, many families would live near the tree and play under its branches. The tree grew and grew until it was so massive and impressive that the Botanical Society issued a Certificate of Commendation.</p><p>Not long ago, Gayle Glecker’s young granddaughter, Genevieve, moved into the house under the tree. She came to love the tree. One day, a tree doctor examined the mighty maple and reported the sad news. The tree was decaying and needed to be cut down. Genevieve, far from alone in her sadness, joined her family and neighbors in a goodbye gathering under the tree.</p><p>This is the story of the beloved Rainbow Tree that inspired Gleckler and Clarice Shirvell’s new picture book.</p><p>Author Gayle Gleckler is a local celebrity living in North Salem. She is a noted artist, writer, film director and advertising executive. She authored two previous children’s books, <em>Milo, My Stray Cat </em>and <em>Momoirs</em>, a collection of short stories about motherhood. She also was the co-writer of the cult film, “The Lords of Flatbush,” Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler’s first movie.</p><p><em>The Rainbow Tree</em> grew out of a poem Gleckler wrote for her long-time writing group at The Westport Writers Workshop. When sharing the whimsical poem with the group, they declared it would make a wonderful children’s book. Gleckler was inspired! She immediately set forth reworking the story and went in search of an artist illustrator. She found the perfect match in artist Clarice Shirvell, who, like Gleckler, is a member of Ridgefield Guild of Artists and, as it turns out, is herself an enduring fan of beloved Rainbow Tree as a longtime resident of the Rainbow Lake Community. </p><p>The two met weekly to work on the book, Gleckler, a former art director, and Shirvell, an award-winning pen and ink illustrator. With encouragement from Gleckler, Shirvell illustrated the book in color, with pen and ink and watercolor on 300 lb. cold-press rag archival paper.</p><p>The children’s picture book was released in April and is available at Books on the Common and Ridgefield Guild of Artists in Ridgefield. A portion of the proceeds will support the Rainbow Lake Association.</p><p>An author and illustrator signing will be held at Books on The Common, 404 Main St., Ridgefield, on Saturday, May 4, from noon to 2 p.m.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the Ridgefield High School 11th and 12th graders who earned 2023-2024 Q3 Honor Roll. Please note, 9th and 10th grade students earning Q3 Honor Roll were featured in a separate article. Read it <a href="https://news.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/ridgefield-high-school-students-earn-2023-2024-q3-honor-roll" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong>High Honors</strong></p><p><strong>Grade 11</strong></p><p>Zubek, Petru Gabriel ; Abraham, Alma Sunil ; Agwu, Hannah Madison ; Albis, Dean Matthew ; Amendola, Isabella Nicole ; Anderson, Owen Harold ; Archibald, Lily Maureen ; Avery-Payne, Addison ; Baglio, Siena Kathleen ; Baker, Caroline Ruth ; Barrett, Alexis Michelle ; Barrett, James Holden ; Barrientos, Olivia Caroline ; Bednar, Jakub ; Bello, Alyssa Rose ; Bernard, Sebastien Laurent Serge ; Bianco, Sophia Gabrielle ; Bitner, Alexis Lauren ; Black, Kathryn Mansfield ; Black, Nathaniel James ; Blackman, Maya Kailing ; Bloch, Dylan Joely ; Block, Mackenzie Tuttle ; Bose, Arnav ; Bradley, Kamryn Ann-Marie ; Brennan, Caroline Grace ; Brooks, Parker Cannon ; Brosnan, Eva Claire ; Brown, Carter Scott ; Camera, Lily Ann ; Capocci, Abigail Noel ; Caramadre, Michael Thomas ; Carpenter, Ace ; Carter, William Henry ; Cascioli, Leah Onora ; Chojnacki, Trevor Daniel ; Ciminiello, Angelo Joseph ; Cohen, Blake Skyler ; Cohen, Micah Henry ; Colabella, Domenic </p><p>John ; Collins, Alexander ; Conway, Remy ; Corona, Sophia Alexandra ; Cortes, Devin Cole ; Costello, Nicholai Ryan Harbolic ; Couch, Grace Bernadette ; Daigle, Zoe Elizabeth ; DeBrino, Addison ; Denier, Anthony Vinicio ; Desmarais, Zoe Catherine ; Drever, Hayden Rose ; Drobney, Katherine Olivia ; Dulecki, Owen Grace ; Dunn, Sullivan Zander Backes ; Durmus, Elif ; Everdell, Murphy Scott ; Feliciano, Natalia Shilah ; Flavin, Olivia Grace ; Foley, Nora Diane ; Furneri, Mara Lia ; Gallagher, Megan Elena ; Gernert, Ava Jane ; Giles, Keira Shea ; Gill, Remington James Frederic ; Gilland, Hannah Faith ; Glenn, Alexander Parks ; Gonzalez, Sam Frederick ; Greco, Bella Luisa ; Hamilton, Jacob William John ; Hickey, Alexander James ; Hilford, Tyler Lee ; Holbert, Kate Ryan ; Holian, Roman Nicholas ; Idone, Rose Danae ; Iwasiutyn, Peter ; Jang, Matt Minsuk ; Janzon, Adam Tobias ; Janzon, Theodore Karl ; Jolly, Julia Paige ; Jones, Melody Stevens ; Kaufman, Caleb Daniel ; Keane, Riley Elizabeth ; Keating, Olivia Conway ; Keidel, Phoebe Katherine ; Kelly, Declan Christian ; Kenny, Alina Isabel ; Kessler, Baila Maren ; Kiefaber, Anna Isabelle ; Knick, Elizabeth Josephine ; Knispel, Julia Claire ; Langberg, Juliette Aviva ; Latauska, Mason Matthew ; Lauretani, Gabriella Rose ; LeCroy, Charles Dean ; Levine, Hannah Avery ; Long, Makena Shaine ; Luhman, Declan Wallace ; Lycoyannis, Matthew Dean ; Ma, Moriana Isabella ; Manglani, Dhruv Sunil ; Manley, Magnus Hoxton ; Marapareddy, Saichetan Reddy ; Mariakakis, Caleb Benjamin ; McGerald, Riley Katherine ; McKerracher, William Benjamin ; McKiernan, Ava Catherine ; McMurray, Reed Scott ; McNicholas, Ryan Patrick ; Mierzejewski, Nicole Angelica ; Mills, Lloyd Aaron ; Mongardi, Sofia Arlene ; Mooney, John William Mendonis ; Muldoon, Braelyn Hannah ; Muncy, Madeline Jean ; Murdock, Ava Corinne ; Namiot, Vivienne Marie ; Nardi, Sophia Marie ; Nguyen, Isabella Tramanh ; Noell, Boden Frederick ; Overs, Charlotte Kathryn ; Pambianchi, Natalie Jane ; Pando, Chase Scully ; Pearl, Andrew Stuart ; Pelusio, Mazie Louise ; Penn, Brandon Christopher ; Peressutti, Nola Emily ; Petroccio, Aleah Adeline ; Praveen, Mridhula Megha ; Prokopczyk, Parker Grace ; Queenan, Lilah Jane ; Rainbeau, Dylan Andrew ; Raissis, Charlotte Lynn ; Reyes, Skyler Joseph ; Riccio, Michael Robert ; Rose, Alexandra Jordyn ; Rotolo, Connor Joseph ; Rubbo, Allison Bailey ; Rutig, Lily Elaine ; Salamon, Maxim Maciej ; Salmore, Hannah Mary ; Salmore, Samuel George ; Sanz, Rocio ; Sathyagal, Pranati Ramaa ; Scatterday, Kayla Grace ; Schaefer, Lene Carlotta ; Schaffer, Natalia Valentine ; Schoenherr, Jack Arthur ; Schreiber, Nori Jae ; Schuster, Isabel Kaye ; Seligman, Charlott Donald ; Shim, Jay ; Slayton, Cole William ; Smith, Cambria Claire ; Smith, Dakota Whitney ; Suozzi, Charlotte Alice ; Tammaro, Summer Grace ; Terzis, Christian Andrew ; Thompson, Catherine Sydney ; Thomson, Carson Elizabeth ; Thorburn, Grant ; Touchard, Anna Lee ; Travaglini, Catherine Marie ; Travaglini, Jake Andrew ; Trevisani, Dean Murray ; Trotman, William Holbrook ; Trotter, River ; Tumminello, Luciano ; Uecker, Julianne Elizabeth ; Vanni, Elizabeth Jane ; Voellmicke, Benjamin John ; Vohra, Roopshi ; Volkov, Kiril Sergeivich ; Warholak, Elias Theodore ; Weng, Isaac ; White, Tessa Giordano ; Whitehurst, Ian Feung ; Williams, Molly Jane ; Winkler, Grace Kathryn ; Wright, Elayna Mary ; Yurkovsky, Elijah Savely Yuan ; Zaslavsky, David Solomon ; Zezula, Sophie Madeleine ; Zipkin, Katherine Lily ; Zusel, Owen Levi</p><p><strong>Grade 12</strong></p><p>Agliardo, Justin Patrick ; Ahmadi, Daniel F ; Altopp, Millicent Roselyn ; Apinis, Brody Charles ; Artzt, Zoe Elizabeth ; Avaliani, Elena ; Avelar, Rebecca Ramos De Oliveira ; Ayala Lanzo, Stephanie Marie ; Barnett, Zachary Phillip ; Barrella, Dominic Joseph ; Barrett, Gavin Ray ; Belden, Francesca Catherine ; Benedict, Charlotte Kathleen ; Bishop, James William ; Bleck, Jonas Felix Tobias ; Bonnie, Chelsea Madison ; Boxer, Jason Russell ; Brina, Ignacio ; Brown, Ashley Jule ; Brown, Hunter Alexander ; Brown, Madalen Alivia ; Brown, Madison Jean ; Burns, Katherine Jingli ; Campo, Anna Elisabeth ; Carretta, Ariana Rose ; Carro, Gaia ; Caudill, Hannah Aviva ; Chrysler, Charles Guy ; Clancy, Jack Benjamin ; Clarkin, Calina Paige ; Clavi, Riley Elizabeth ; Coakley, Molly Quinn ; Collins, Madison Dee ; Colsey, Kyle Steven ; Costigan, Avery Elisabeth ; Couri, Cameron Jacob ; Craine, Angelina Eniko ; Cunningham, Julia Grace ; D'Andraia, Mia Caroline ; D'Antonio, Benjamin Owen ; D'Orso, Nicholas Joseph ; Dankowski, John Andrew ; Davi, Nick Duclos ; DeFino, William Joseph Lok ; Everett, Yael Alexis ; Faccioli, Giacomo Aldo ; Flegel, Lauren Hoppe ; Fozouni, Kai Bijan ; Frates, Grace Ann ; Gabello, Liam Philip ; Galvin, Thomas Ward ; Ganal, Sofia Gloria ; Gelfman, Zane Adlai ; Gerosa, Caroline Audrey ; Gitlin, Zoe Cappelle ; Gola, Amber Yi-Ling ; Goldberg, Sima Paige ; Gorakhiya, Harshiv R ; </p><p>Griffin, Andrew Morgan ; Groth, Levi Henry ; Hansen, Alexandra Paige ; Hareesh, Anjali ; Healy, Kenan Edward ; Herde, Nicole Alexandra ; Hergenrother, Steven Shaler ; Hobbs, Samuel Thanh ; Hoerdemann, Katherine Megan ; Hogan, Kate Mariana ; Huitron, Martha Huitron ; Humphrey, John Samuel Sage ; Imbrogno, Katherine Campbell ; Irving, Alexander Gray ; Johnstone, Jack Elias ; Johnstone, William James ; Kapteina, Tyler Matthew ; Karnad, Meghana ; Katra, Marko Razman ; Kemmer, Alexa Erin ; Kirsch, Ava Chayse ; Klugman, Isabella Brooke ; Knop, Gavin Robert ; Konopka, Matthew Andrew Cramer ; Levitt, Phoebe Ariel ; Lewis, Shelby Hayes ; Li, Shaun Xiang ; Li, Yuhan ; Liesegang, Emily Kate ; Londona, Mackenzie Nicole ; Longmore, Rory Emmet ; Lubguban, Natalia Camagong ; Lunn, Peyton Grace ; Malagisi, Ava Celeste ; Malhotra, Rian Singh ; Manganiello, Ava Grace ; Marino, Madison Grace ; Marron, Reese Ariane ; McAndrews, Jack Harrison ; McCann, Roisin Veronica ; McGarrity, Mia Hayden ; McGuire, Abigail Elizabeth ; McKinstry, Chloe Leigh ; McLemore, Charlotte Feng ; Meier, Melia Jo ; Meres, Cora Vienne ; Miner, Brooke Emily ; Morales, Cam Saura ; Mosiello, Ryan Walter ; Muursepp, Annike Lili ; Narasimha Raghavan, Sudheer ; Nelson, Colin Michael ; O'Brien, Casey Mairead ; O'Keefe, Abigail Joan ; Ortiz, Julia Marques ; Peluso, Emily Madison ; Pereira, Luke Gregory ; Peressutti, Roma Wren ; Peters, Mackenzie Grace ; Pickett, Madeline Tess ; Pomposello, Aveline Mary ; Poulton, Paige Loyal ; Prusko, Jane Alice ; Ragland, Natalie Anne ; Ratnavel, Matthew Prashan ; Riina, Anthony Michael ; Rogers, Elizabeth Doris ; Roman, Nicholas James ; Rowe, Gabriella Helene ; Rubinfeld, Jordan Lindsay ; Schalkham, Hailey Olivia ; Schluetter, Robin Adesina ; Schmidt, Gabriel Thomas ; Seidenberg, Lillian Mae ; Shen, Sophie ; Shepard, Paige Barbara ; Shipman, Grace Elizabeth ; Siburn, Avery Grace ; Sigurdsson, Elisabet Marie ; Smith, Caroline Grace ; Smuckler, Griffin ; Song, Kyle Nanming ; Steneken, Alexis Ann ; Stewart, Annabelle Ruth ; Stohr, Alexandra Grace ; Sullivan, Charles Terence ; Treat, Ava Hopkins ; Trinkaus, Caroline Marie ; Uceda-Sosa, Gabriel ; Uceda-Sosa, Victor ; Weir, Declan Patrick ; Whitehouse, Henry David ; Wilkenloh, Jami Nicole ; Winslow, Madeline Elizabeth ; Wyatt, Haley Jaye ; Yates, Thurston Alexander ; Yee, Emily Tianheng ; Yin, Derek Sian-Loong ; Yu, Hannah Song ; Zhao, Julia Lan ; Zolotorofe, Hannah Kathryn</p><p><strong>Honors</strong></p><p><strong>Grade 11</strong></p><p>Aguilar, Sophia Amanda Ventura ; Badeer, Tanner James ; Bajraktari, Venesa ; Bergagnini, Carolina Ann ; Berson, Alexa Jane ; Black, Benjamin Peter ; Bloechle, Mason Thomas ; Bragg, Sophie Maile ; Brennan, Connor Jack ; Britton, William Robert ; Brody, Jake William ; Caligiuri, Madeline Rose ; Casey, Colin Adam ; Cherico, Miles Croake ; Cid, Mateo ; Colabella, Mia Marie ; Collins, Ashley Josephine ; Connally, Rohan Emmett ; Cortina, Gianluca Antonio ; Couri, Desmond Christopher ; Crook, Maxwell Halden ; Daley, Henry ; DeGaray, Erik Michael ; DiDona, Danielle Marie ; DiMiceli, Kevin Gregory ; Doku, Zahra Nartekie Nelson ; Dzaferovic, Zenepe ; Faulkner, Alexis Renee ; Feenan, James Frances ; Feola, Sarina Elia ; Filippelli, Amanda Mae ; Fiore, Walker James ; Flores Pineda, Berny Mateo ; Fuller, Trevor Scott ; Gallagher, Paige Elizabeth ; Genna, Nicolas Sam ; Genova, Emily Maya ; Giannettino, Olivia Anna ; Gilland, Haley Grace ; Gmelin, Brandon Quinn ; Graber, Pierce Shane ; Gray, Charlotte Lily ; Greenlay, Christopher James ; Gythfeldt, Emma Sakura Shand ; Hackenburg, Scott Bryant ; Hackett, Charlotte Claire ; Hisiger, Jesse Ray ; Hong, Joseph Sung Min ; Howatt, Braelin Reece ; Isaac, Andrew Jacob ; Jewell, Olivia Frances ; Karloutsos, Peter Konstantine ; Keating, Christopher Osborne ; Kelly, Bridget Katherine ; Keppler, Max Phillip ; Kessler, Levi Asher ; Kret, Mia Noelle ; Kurtz, Jake Charles ; Laird, Emily Anna ; Lanzilli, Lawrence Michael ; Lawrence, Connor Frederick ; Levy, Connor Matthew ; Lewis, Georgiana J ; Lovett, Charles Aaron George ; Lovett, Harrison David Clifford ; Marepalli, Krithika ; Margolus, Ella Grace ; Marino, John William ; Marino, Luke Christopher ; McDonough, Emma Marie ; Mignano, Aidan Joseph ; Miller, Caleb Stephen ; Miller, Nicholas Arthur ; Moncayo, Saimon ; More, Kevin Laurence ; Mosner, David Aaron ; Nickles, James Steven ; O'Leary, Bridget Anna ; Padilla, Madeline ; Parrett, Sarah Elizabeth ; Patel, Aakarsh ; Pause, Logan Jamisen ; Penn, Dylan Matthew ; Provenzale, Christopher Matthew ; Quinto, Michael Scott ; Rattner, Aaron Caleb ; Regalado, Gabriela Patria ; Reiner, Lucas Oliver ; Rosenfeld, Hannah Brooke ; Santoro, Alexandra Lynn ; Schaffel, Zoe Elizabeth ; Schuster, Caroline Kittridge ; Seal, Emily Hope ; Seidl, Kennedy Olivia ; Shlapak, Blake Francis ; Signorelli, Luca Salvatore ; Sproule, Andrew Michael ; Sproule, Edward Joseph ; Subeliani, Nikolozi ; Sutcliffe, Dylan ; </p><p>Tantary, Niall Gabriel ; Tasch, Matthew David ; Tobin, Sinead Aine ; Vakil, Naomi Hemant ; Vickers, Caden Timothy ; Vohra, Rutvi ; Ward, Finn James ; Whitters, Kayleigh Rose ; Wilkinson, Andrew James ; Wolfenden, Alice Mae ; Yu, Alden Li</p><p><strong>Grade 12</strong></p><p>Acocella, Charli Ann ; Andersen, Kaitlyn Denise ; Axen, Joshua Lee ; Baum, Avery Samantha ; Beiner, Katherine Grace ; Bellhouse, Alexa Jean Skye ; Bernard, Mikaella Chloe ; Berriola, Alexa Sky ; Besgen, Mary Catherine ; Boccanfuso, Ella Rose ; Brooker, Madelaine Harrison ; Buckley, Juliana ; Burt, Devon James ; Butler, Kira Jill ; Carcich, Fiona Quinn ; Carnicelli, Ryan ; Carr, Vincent James ; Cerra, Hannah Ione ; Chang, Skylar Angel ; Chapman, Michael William ; Collins, Savannah Lieselotte ; Connelly, Jackson Beckett ; Conner, Justin Thomas ; Constantine, Anthony Peter ; Corsilia, Kayla Renae ; Coury, Elizabeth Grace ; Coury, Jack Andrew ; Craw, Eliza Madison ; D'Jay, Anna Photini ; Diana, William Joseph ; Dougan, Brodie Liam ; Dowd, Michael Francis ; Egerton, Elissa Kaitlyn ; Englert, Luke Robert ; Friis, Sebastian Jesper Raymond ; Galdieri, Enzo Calvao ; Gallo, Alice Duffy ; Gartner, Nolan Alexander ; Gillan, Anna Rose ; Goldstein, Esther Elaine ; Gotti, Ashley Ryan ; Griffith, Cormac Benjamin ; Hertwig, Claudia Elise ; Honore, Evan Kenneth ; Iwasiutyn, Nicholas ; Katsiotis, Adamandia Maria ; Kelleher, Samantha Eileen ; Kitchin, Graham Patrick ; Krasner, Isaac Alarico ; Kubrin, Layla Pearl ; Kuhn, Anatole Joseph ; Lilly, Robert Michael ; Llanos, Katherine Sophia ; Luciano, Anthony Michael ; Luft, Eleanor Mary ; Malavisi, Maya Maria ; McCarthy, Grace Elisabeth ; McGoey, Austin Patrick ; McMurray, Maxwell James ; Mirfakhraie, Armin Leo ; Montanaro, Cole Anthony ; Moriarty, Brendan Thomas ; Mullen, Matthew James ; Nixon, Nathaniel Andrew ; O'Malley, Eden Grace ; Ofer, Shelly ; Pajak, Caleb Dean ; Palmer, Slade Colwell ; Palmiotto, Isabella Grace ; Paparella, Dante Augusto ; Paz, Andrea Emilia ; Pelaez, Andres ; Perry, Katherine Alexandra ; Pichardo, Damien Tyler ; Pitz, Dylan Christopher ; Platel, Virginia Anne ; Podielsky, Hudson Patrick ; Pozzuto, Matthew Angelo ; Pray, Jordan Claire ; Prichard, Gillian Campbell ; Regalado, Jhonasttan Harry ; Riek, Charles Justus ; Rizzio, Sam Bronson ; Rucolas, Luke Avery ; Salomone, Anna Elizabeth ; Sandhu, Gurshaan Singh ; Scheck, Christopher Ryan ; Scholl, Elizabeth Gerola ; Seal, Abigail Elizabeth ; Serby, Ethan Samuel ; Sganga, Nicholas Robert ; Smith, Mason Joseph ; Spadaro, Marcus James ; Swiatowicz, Ian Michael ; Terry, Jake Michael ; Thomas, Lucia Rice ; Tsai, Michael Ky ; Ward, Lillian Ruth ; Warner, Elizabeth Jane ; Webb, Hayden Maxwell ; White, Connor Jacob ; Williams, Anna Louise</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
<p>Congratulations to the Ridgefield High School 9th and 10th graders earning 2023-2024 Q3 Honor Roll. Please note: students in grades 11 and 12 who earned Q3 Honor Roll will be featured in a separate article.</p><p><strong>High Honors</strong></p><p><strong>Grade 9</strong></p><p>Abernethy, Anahit ; Amendola, Andrew Saverio ; Ames, Camryn Elise ; Anderson, Georgia Grace ; Art, Camryn James ; Attaie, Nicholas Michael ; Baglio, Olivia Martine ; Bakle, Abigail Grace ; Balog, Sienna Rayne ; Barker, Bonnie Skye ; Barrett, Jacob Ethan ; Baum, Harley Emma ; Bausenwein, Chloe Ava ; Beaulac, Joshua Harry ; Bednar, Richard ; Begonja, Sofia Rose ; Bhattacharjee, Krishaa ; Bhowmik, Ayan ; Bloechle, Evangelina Lynn ; Bonheim, Audrey Sophia ; Borstelmann, Olivia Grace ; Brandt, Jaden Shay ; Brosnan, Rhona Katlyn ; Browne, Jessica Ann ; Camera, Robert Joseph ; Candullo, Jaimie Ann ; Capone, Nicole Carolynn ; Capshaw, Aine Roisin ; Carpenter, Mae Beatrice ; Carranza, Oliver Matthew ; Chin, Natalie Galina ; Chojnacki, Connor William ; Clifton, Wyatt Phileas ; Colsey, Christopher ; Constantine, Chloe Frances ; Cooper, Finley Atticus ; Corona, Charles Maxwell ; Cosgrove, Joseph Timothy ; D'Amico, Alia Lee ; D'Andraia, Tess Helen ; Dawson, Ethan Alucius ; DeBrino, Alexander John ; Del Giudice, Ana Margaret ; Dennis, Owen William ; DeStefano, Andrew Joseph ; Devere, Ella Alice ; DiDona, Madison Grace ; Dougan, Isla Mary ; Dovaras, Parker Logan ; Drever, Hensley Jean ; Drobney, Mark Edward ; Eagle, Edward James ; Fadla, Zachary Adam ; Fandrick, Charlotte Leigh ; Farmer, Emerson ; Fazzioli Sague, Sofia ; Feliciano, Samuel Satchi ; Fincham, Gabriel Kemp Mik ; Fixler, Max Douglas ; Fixler, Scarlett Rosemary ; Ganal, Christopher Ryan ; Genova, Jayson Ronald ; Ghorpade, Rashi Ravikumar ; Gibbons, Harper Loretta ; Gola, Darren Kai-Chieh ; Graves, Connor Andrew ; Green, Mary Kathleen ; Guccione, Michela ; Gupta, Amara Jasmin ; Gupta, Kaitan Nitin ; Hanley, Ronan Leo ; Hardridge, Cole Harrison ; Harrison, Lindsey Mikaela ; Honore, Emily Grace ; Hopke, Hadley June Mian ; Howatt, Emory Kate ; Hufnagel, Noah Alexander ; Hunt, Taylor Kellen ; Imbrogno, Louis David ; Johnston, Kylie Mae ; Jones, Eleanor Reese ; Katra, Dalia Maria ; Kelleher, Shane Michael ; Kemmer, Sophie Lauren ; Kim, Gia Yeonah ; Kinford, Sydney Grace ; Klosowski, Erin ; Klotz, Lillian Dolores ; Knispel, William Cameron ; Kuntz, Ryan Mason ; Lee, Yerim ; Lepanto, Lily Alyssa ; Levi, Jake Ethan ; Libonati, Nicolas Robert ; Lieberman, Noah Lee ; Lindsay-Jones, Madeline Isabel ; Lopuszynski, Jack ; Lowman, Lucy Ana ; Luhman, Mairead Elizabeth ; Maciejewski, Layla Giselle ; Marter, Leena-Rose ; Martsen, Edward Julian ; McGeehan-Bluhm, Aiden Nicholas ; Meyer, Lake Fielding ; Millar, Naima Faith ; Miller, Sebastian August ; Mischenko, Mark Cobie ; Mitev, Alina Sophia ; Mongardi, Luca Alfredo ; Morales, Joseph ; Muncy, Graham Michael ; Munson, Trevor James Hoti ; Murphy, Brian James ; Natarajan, Ravi Subramanian ; Nelson, Edwin William ; Nelson, Nevaeh Syncire ; O'Brien, Leighton Noelle ; Olbrys, Cailin Aine ; Oliveira, Violet Louise ; Olkoski, Gabriela Joann ; Olsen, Jazlyn Elizabeth ; Osbourne, Leah Ashley ; Padilla, Claudia ; Parrish, Myles Jason ; Patel, Malina Sanket ; Pavan, Luiz Felipe ; Peng, Hancheng Hudson ; Penn, Preston William ; Pepin, Grace Elaine ; Pereyra, Asher Caden ; Peterson, Christian Nicholas ; Polini, Sofia Victoria ; Pope, Isabella Reese ; Rand, Lux ; Roman, Kayla Isabel ; Roman, Olivia Rolinson ; Rose, Maia June ; Rosenfeld, Aaron Blake ; Rowe, Zackary Matthew ; Roxbury, Derek ; Rubinfeld, Alexa Madelyn ; Rush, Shannon Elizabeth ; Salimbene, Luke John ; Sauer, Samantha Lianne ; Saunders, Paige Addison ; Scaffe, Ryan Robert ; Schneider, Zoe Starr ; Schoenly, Dries Jansen ; Scholl, Madeline Grace ; Schorpp, Dylan Michael ; Schrier, Brooklyn Madaline ; Schwartz, Bella Alexandra ; Shantz, Kaylie Rose ; Shehu, Alianna Fatima ; Sherling, Evan Dillon ; Shiffer, Nathan Christopher ; Silveri, Rosa Therese ; Smith, Grace Mackenzie ; Smuckler, Leah Grey ; Soto, Diana Valentina ; Specht, Carter James ; Stefura, Aubrey Elizabeth Carol ; Steinmann, Nathan Jacob ; Steneken, Alivia Grace ; Stephenson, Molly Marie ; Stern, Bennett Leigh ; Subeliani, Nino ; Sullivan, Kathleen Grace ; Swiatowicz, Katherine Jane ; Talisse, Spencer Nicholas ; Tebbe, Andrew Franklin ; Terry, Ryan David ; Torres, Naiara Renee ; Turberfield, Ryan William ; Turok, Samuel Gene ; Tuttle, Gabrielle Marie ; Ullman, Matthew Elliott ; Ungaro, Leyton Alexander ; Wall, Tyler James ; Wark, Audrey Jane ; Westcott, Quinn John ; Whalen, Clara Elizabeth ; Wilkinson, Emma ; Wright, Elizabeth Katherine ; Wu, Sherry Yurui ; Xu, Avelynn ; Yi, Stella Jae Na ; Young, Averie Grace ; Zaccone, Seren Elisabetta Karen ; Zeyer, Brett ; Zou, Ryan Haoming</p><p><strong>Grade 10</strong></p><p>Accinelli, Leighton Presley ; Alexander, Lucas Mathias ; Anderson, John Patrick ; Anderson, Maya Danielle ; Anderson, William Arthur ; Arencibia, Juliette Lynn ; Bagliavio, Sadie Love ; Barlow, Lillian Leah ; Basker, Vishal Radhamani ; Bell, Catherine Marie ; Benedict, Megan Nicole ; Bleck, Simon Adrian ; Bloechle, Carson Christopher ; Bonnaudet, Lilou Sarai ; Bordeaux, Ryan Christopher ; Bouleris, Alexandra Lauren ; Bruzzone, Sofia ; Burns, Chloe Mae ; Caballero Maldonado, Maria ; Campbell, Elizabeth Myers ; Carcaterra, Greyson Achilles ; Caron, Josephine Claire ; Carone, Hailey Paris ; Carrozza, John Louis ; Carter, Andrew Joshua ; Caterina, Chloe Rose ; Cerra, Jack Daniel ; Cid, Marcos ; Ciuffetelli, Lauren Olivia ; Coakley, Tess Quinn ; Craw, Madelyn Faye ; Cummins, Brooke Adeline ; Curtis, Jacqueline Vittoria ; Darvas-Hagen, Hunor ; Davi, Nate Duclos ; Desiano, Sophie Sakura ; Devoe, Colbie ; Dias Pinto, Martim ; Dickson, Katherine Marielle ; Duncan, Caroline Bradley ; Elliott, Andrew Thomas ; Estabrook, Katie Elizabeth ; Fama, Alexa Noelle ; Figlar, Eva ; Fischer, Casey Guthrie ; Fitelson, Helen Kathryn ; Foley, Charlotte Evelyn ; Foley, Patrick James ; Frates, Henry William ; Freeman, Abigail Strasberg ; Fukumoto, Reiko Elena Orlina ; Gmelin, Sienna Fellicita ; Goldstein, Chana Ann ; Groth, Allegra Rose ; Guerrero, Zoe Alexis ; Hankla, Jacob Matthew ; Hawken, Christopher John ; Hinkley, Kiera Addison ; Hobbs, Nathan Danh ; Humphrey, Joseph David Cash ; Hyla, Taylor Drew ; Jacobowitz, Kayla Ruth ; Kalafus, Jacob Alexander ; Kallusky, Nora ; Kanumuri, Manaswi ; Karloutsos, Evangelia ; Khanna, Sean Krishan ; Kim, Kiyeon ; Klemm, Ryan Harrison ; Koppisetti, Aayush Kumar ; Kovalsky, Leigh Avery ; Krishnan, Ashwika ; Kristan, Liam Matthew ; Kropas, Astrid Sofia ; Kubrin, Jackson Jagger ; Lassow, Kylie Elizabeth ; Latauska, Luke Steven ; Lee, Jayden Juhan ; Lenz, Abigail Virginia ; Libhart, Ashley ; Libhart, Savannah Sandra ; Locatelli, Lucas Lemes ; LoGiudice, Chase Nicholas ; Lukanyuk, Meera Liuba ; Macaraeg, Benjamin Aidan Madulid ; Mahoney, Rilynn Noelle ; Maloney, Lachlan James ; Manolakakis, Evan Richard ; Mao, David Charles ; Margewicz, Ella Grace ; Margulies, Jake Dylan ; McCartan, Madeline Julie ; McClellan, Casey Jane ; McDonald, Caroline Mae ; McKinstry, William Richard ; McNellis, Sean James ; Menon, Vedika ; Meres, Graham Dalton ; Merrill, Keely Siena ; Michalowski, Caitlin Mary ; Morehouse, Mackenzie Jane ; Mosner, Sophia Gabrielle ; Neligan, Henry Ward ; Nelson, Aidan Matthew ; Olsen, Benjamin Riley ; Osher, Charlotte Danielle ; Pajak, Alexander Ryan ; Palicha, Jayin Kashyap ; Palmer, Cole Edward ; Pertab, Akshay ; Pertab, Vijay ; Plummer, Emerson Edward ; Podielsky, Wyatt Andrew ; Quadros Carvalho, Stephanie ; Redrup, Alana Paige ; Resnick, Henry Asher ; Rios, Nathan Joaquin ; Romano, Giada Mia ; Romeo, Hunter Joseph ; Rosenzweig, Veda Darling ; Roy, Katz Claire ; Saatchi, Joseph Mustafa ; Salomone, Julia Grace ; Sarup, Jordan Rajat ; Shartouni, Natalie ; Sheridan, Vittal Shesh ; Silliman, Alexander Kenneth ; Silveri, Teresa Elaine ; Silverstein, Avery Florienne Binder ; Skalicky Luqui, Anna ; Staples, Miles Everett ; Steckler, Sadie Emma ; Steele, Pearce Tilbrook ; Strine, Felipe Fernandes ; Surette, Norah McGinn ; Sutjito, Clarabelle Elizabeth ; Szumski, Christian John ; Taleb, Eva Nora ; Taylor, Ryan Patrick ; Thompson, Jack Benjamin ; Tittel, Chloe Romanee ; Treat, Walter Harrison ; Tripathi, Arushi ; Trujillo Paz, Ian Andre ; Utomo, Sebastian Henry ; Velasco, Joseph Cho ; Vlahos, Dylan Thomas ; Washer, Matthew Nathaniel ; Weltman, Amelia Charlotte ; Whitbeck, Alexandra Grace ; Williams, Brenna Jane ; Winslow, Andrew Joseph ; Wyatt, Camille Rose ; Zonder, Benjamin Joseph</p><p><strong>Honors</strong></p><p><strong>Grade 9</strong></p><p>Bajraktari, Rinesa ; Bancks, Kathryn Lee ; Bautista Lanzo, Ruth Esther ; Berne, Noah David ; Bishop, Elizabeth Ann ; Black, Audrey Anne ; Block, Broderick James ; Brennan, Caitlin Grace ; Britton, James Ronald ; Brown, Arthur Swaraj ; Butzbaugh, Benjamin Daniel ; Capone, Joseph Gasper ; Chrysler, Evelyn Louise ; Collins, Charlotte Lorelai ; Couch, Joseph Howard ; Cullen, Thomas Edward ; Cunningham, Camden Lee ; Dave, Kaiyen Arunkumar ; Debald, Mathew Michael ; DeMain, Simon Robert ; DeVito, Davis Quinn ; Fitzpatrick, Andrew Stephen ; Fostervold, Alexander Page ; Friedman, Carly Madison ; Gedala, Daniel ; Giles, Owen Thomas ; Giusio, Ella May ; Goldstein, Ayla Michelle ; Goncalves, Aaron ; Goralnick, Liam Jeffrey ; Haerter, Nicolas Merle ; Hrabosky, Dylan Ryan ; Iroham, Olivia Elsie Ezinne ; Jackson, Grace Elizabeth ; Jang, Henry Minhyuk ; Jensen, Peter Lars ; Katsiotis, Kalliopi Athena ; Kelly, Neil Michael ; Krasucki, Patrick Cole ; Landry, Macklin Burke ; Laub, Jackson Myles ; Legen, Hailey Ann ; Lem, Noah John Yun-Yao ; Lewis, London Rae ; Lopez, Arabella Sol ; Lunn, Thomas Keogh ; Lycoyannis, Andrew Joseph ; Macaluso, Olivia Jaynes ; Malagisi, Maxwell Gerardo ; Marsico, Peter Aram ; Mascarenhas, Maria Flor ; McGuire, Quinn Rose ; McLaughlin, Gavin Hegarty ; Mendez, Skyler Maiv ; Messina, Gabriella Elise ; Meyers, Dylan Jacob ; Mills, Cathryn Leah ; Modzelewska-Verdan, Ariana Skyla ; Montaner, Finnley Husted ; Morton, Hunter Cody ; Morton, Shane Thomas ; Mulligan, Luke ; Murphy, Frances Grace ; Nascimento, Sara Angela ; O'Malley, Eliza Grace ; Padilla, Clara ; Pashley, Aidan Roberts ; Pellettiere, Aislynn Isabella ; Pellettiere, Thomas Michael ; Pendergast, Zavia Maria ; Ploss, Charles Broderick ; Polini, Raffaella Maria ; Razo, Joseph ; Reed, Adelle Lee ; Reed, Aidan Kim ; Reney, Emily Allen ; Robertson, Alexander Iain David ; Rodriguez, Simon Alexander ; Roxbury, Mark ; Shahar, Noam ; Shockley, Joseph Amadeo ; Smith, Emerson Lou ; Soi, Ryleigh Jane ; Soreff, Sera ; Swiergosz, Adam ; Talisse, Samuel George ; Tulipani, James Joseph ; Velia, Kyle ; Vickers, Conor Julian ; Westcott, Edward Louis</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Grade 10</strong></p><p>Alavidze, Mariam ; Anderson, Amara Devi ; Apinis, Caden Valdis ; Arias, Laila Marie ; Barnes, Liam Carroll ; Black, Abigail Joy ; Boyle, Kieran Thomas ; Burns, Claire Faith ; Cappiello, Sophia Randilyn ; Carroll, Emma Katelynn ; Chang, Jaidyn Rayne ; Chollick, Joel Silvester ; Clarkin, Cecelia Rose ; Collins, Chloe Ann ; Croci, Mathias Sebastian ; Cunningham, Luke Elias ; DeMarco, Jack Bauer ; DeMatteo, Audrey Lianna ; Di Pietro, Romina ; Dillulio, Nicholas Daniel ; Dotterer, Benjamin George ; Dunn, Savannah Malia Backes ; Ebenezer, Stephen Adam ; Efkarpidis, Zoe Elizabeth ; Fernandez, James Scott ; Ferrara, Madelyn Grace ; Finley, Joshua Ryan ; Flynn, William Vincent ; Fortson, Matthew Kohl ; Garcia Duran, Gabriel Andres ; Gay, Samuel Vincent ; Gillan, Jacob Michael ; Giovanniello, Paul Joseph ; Gracia, Francisco Xavier ; Groot, Lotte Geertruida Jacoba ; Guijarro Santos, Nahomi Luciana ; Hess, Seamus Ryan ; Hoyos, Sienna Grace ; Huang-Kashansky, Colin ; Huang-Kashansky, Sadie ; Joyce, Evelyn Magnolia ; Kleinman, Spencer Laurent ; Klugman, Makenzie Rose ; Kotereva, Evdokia Vladimirovna ; Kovacs, Julianna Marie ; Kristan, Lily Caroline ; Krsulich, Luka James ; Kuhlmann, Wyatt Smith ; Lacey, Roan Joseph ; Lavorgna, Jenna Marie ; Lebun-Luo, Brandon Kyoto ; Lesko, Benjamin John ; Manglani, Krisha ; Marino, Andrew John ; McGuire, Grace Catherine ; McInerney, Pearse Daniel ; McKinley, Niamh Mary ; Melita, Maggie Jane ; Moore, Leo Alexander ; Morrice, Ryan Oliver ; Mullen, Ryan Richard ; O'Brien, Audrey Grace ; O'Mahony, Michael Hans ; O'Rourke, Francis Xavier ; Osborne, Wyatt Spencer ; Perrelli, Michael Anthony ; Petersen, Daniel Richter ; Platel, Ruby ; Preston, Leyna Li ; Rolewicz, Ryan Robert ; Rosen, Ella Riley ; Rossi, Sofia ; Salimbene, Michael Anthony ; Salley, Alexander Kai ; Sambus, Lyla Marie ; Saradin, Luke Pavol ; Sementilli, Joseph Dylan ; Shiffer, Caden Matthew ; Sisca, Layla Theresa ; Sobocinski, Siri Anne ; Teplyakov, Daniil A. ; Thomas, Sinaedin Johnna ; Tiktin, Ella Rose ; Tornatore, Kevin Arthur ; Townsend, Renae Iceline ; Trenck, Zachary Joseph ; Trinkaus, Owen Michael ; Tumminello, Marcello ; Uecker, Lauren ; Urbanz, Nathan Jirakit ; Urquhart, Dylan Edward ; Urrutia, Cesar Ernesto ; Wallace, Ian Ferguson ; Ward, Ava Rose ; Winstanley, Jack William</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With lots of spring in their step, four hundred-plus people from the Greater Danbury area and beyond filled the Amber Room Colonnade at 7:30 this morning for RVNAhealth’s 23rd Annual Spring Breakfast. It was a true breakfast of champions and a celebration of a nonprofit that has been an essential part of communities for 106 years! </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">As table hosts poured hot coffee for their guests, the room buzzed with lively conversation and laughter. RVNAhealth Board Member Andrea Gartner skillfully gathered the attention of the enthusiastic crowd, welcoming them and preparing for the morning’s program to commence.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Cantor Penny Kessler began the event with a heartfelt invocation. Senator Julie Kushner, a dedicated Danbury resident deeply aware of RVNAhealth's impact, took the podium next. Senator Kushner presented a special proclamation, recognizing the RVNAhealth Well-Child team for its remarkable achievements. She highlighted the team's vital role in providing medical care, nursing, translation services, and social services to over 500 underserved children and families in Danbury each year as part of the agency's longstanding commitment to Community Health & Wellness programs.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, thanked the guests for their presence at this significant event. She highlighted the agency's comprehensive continuum of care, which now includes the newly launched Parkinson's Center, as well as dedicated support for dementia and hospice care.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">One of the morning's highlights was gaining a firsthand understanding of the pivotal role RVNAhealth plays in our community. Anne Mead, Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships, shed light on the significant impact of RVNAhealth's Well-Child Program in the Danbury Public Schools, where hundreds of underserved school-aged children receive medical care and immunizations at no cost. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">After Anne Mead's inspiring speech, Auctioneer Michael McGuirk realtor, kicked off the live auction. Attendees were invited to bid on an array of enticing items, including a summer getaway to the Cape, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa, an exquisite dinner party, Broadway, golf outings, and Major League Baseball.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh, what a morning! Thank you to the many local businesses and individuals who stepped up to make the morning’s raffle (there were more than 60 prizes) and the live auction was hugely successful! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Funds raised allow RVNAhealth to fulfill its mission of providing a continuum of care when and where it is needed to residents of over 35 Connecticut towns regardless of age, diagnosis, or financial circumstances. Most importantly, it helps the organization make a lasting impact on the lives of those served. Some programs the funds will benefit include providing Well Child Clinics, flu vaccinations, and nursing and rehab care for senior citizens in need of these services. It is truly an inspiring morning and a great way to start the day! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Once again, photographer Deborah O’Brien captured the morning beautifully! To view additional photos, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit RVNAhealth online </span><a href="https://rvnahealth.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://rvnahealth.org/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> to learn more about this important nonprofit. </span></p><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In attendance this morning were First Selectmen and Mayors (l to r): New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, Roxbury First Selectman Patrick Roy, Bethel First Selectman and RVNAheath Board Member Dan Carter, Ridgefield First Selectperson Rudy Marconi Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, and Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci. They are shown in the photo with RVNAhealth President and CEO Theresa Santoro.</em></p><p>*All images courtesy Deborah O'Brien Photography. Learn more <a href="https://deborahobrien.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://deborahobrien.com/</a></p>
<h5>RHS Athletics Notes the End of an Era</h5><p>Head RHS Football Coach Kevin Callahan has announced his retirement from teaching and coaching at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Coach Callahan has been coaching high school football for 32 years, first at Bullard Havens Tech in 1991, followed by seven years at the helm of the program at his Alma Mater, Notre Dame-Fairfield, from 1992-1998 before coming to Ridgefield in 1999. During his tenure with the Tigers the varsity team established itself as a perennially strong team both within the FCIAC and at the state level, winning the CIAC Class L State Championship in 2002 and finishing as CIAC Class LL State Runners-up in 2016.</p><p> Kevin has been inducted into the Notre Dame-Fairfield Hall of Fame, was recognized by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association as the Football Coach of the Year in 2019 and will be inducted into the FCIAC Hall of Honor as a member of the class of 2024. Said RHS Athletics Director Dane Street, "It's been a pleasure working with Kevin over the past eight years. Few people recognize how much work and effort goes on behind the scenes all year long within the football program, and I cannot thank Kevin enough for all he has done for the Tiger football program and the student-athletes of RHS." While we look forward to celebrating Coach Callahan's career over the final few months of his tenure at RHS, we hope the community will join us in congratulating Kevin on a wonderful career as a teacher and coach at Ridgefield High!</p><p> *Information courtesy RPS newsletter. Read it <a href="https://www.smore.com/n/z2nw9-rps-update?ref=email" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p>Ridgefield High School Principal Dr. Jacob Greenwood announced this week that Steven Hergenrother is the RHS Class of 2024 Valedictorian. <em>Ridgefield Public Schools (RPS) </em>sat down with Steven to find out how he balances being an elite runner—State and New England Champion among many other athletic distinctions—with being an elite student, member of the RHS student government, active community volunteer, and a social life.</p><p><strong> Question: What does being Valedictorian mean to you?</strong></p><p>It means a lot. There are a ton of smart people at RHS. A lot of my academic success has come from relationships I’ve forged with my peers through study sessions at the library or Starbucks. I feel indebted to all the people who have studied with me and challenged me. I will share this with my family too because they have been so integral in promoting curiosity and answering my incessant questions. It’s an individual achievement but it’s a shared achievement too.</p><p><strong> What are some of the challenges you faced? Reasons for your success?</strong></p><p>Managing running and school was the biggest challenge. Every day there was a priority call…do I put the extra effort into this assignment or do I focus on recovery for the next race? On top of that priority call is how to manage a social life. I've made great friends through study groups and, of course, my team. These have become great ways to enrich my academic, athletic, and social life. The majority of this achievement is because of enjoyment. I credit my teachers and peers with making it fun and interesting.</p><p><strong> What was your favorite class?</strong></p><p>I liked the STEM—AP Physics 1 + 2, BC Calc but AP Language and Literature tested the way I thought. I remember details from discussions we had and books we read even a year later. AP US History tested my time management and was super enjoyable the whole year. In ninth grade, I took electives like Photography and Baking, which were fun and not much pressure.</p><p><strong> What are your post-grad plans?</strong></p><p>I am going to Princeton to study physics and run Cross Country and Track. I hope to keep running, whether it’s semi-professionally or not, for as long as I can.</p><p><strong>Will you be the next Robert Oppenheimer:)?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17);">I loved the movie. The acting and the music are great but hopefully, I’ll have a different legacy than Oppenheimer.</span></p>
<p>Will Baker from Ridgefield has been named to St. Lawrence University's Dean's List for achieving academic excellence during the Fall 2023.</p><p>Baker is a member of the Class of 2025 and is majoring in government and business in the liberal arts. Baker attended Ridgefield High School.</p><p>To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester.</p><p><br></p>