Schools

Suffield Students Recognized by Farmington Valley Superintendents' Association

The Farmington Valley Superintendents’ Association formally recognized student leaders during a ceremony at the Farmington Country Club Friday, Nov. 22, 2013.

The honor was part of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Student Recognition Program, which honors students who maintain good scholastic progress, exhibit leadership and serve at school and in their communities. Most recognize a student at the middle school level and one in high school.

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“All the students in this room are to be commended,” said Canton Superintendent Kevin D. Case, who hosted this year’s awards. “This is quite a distinct honor.”

State Sen. Kevin Witkos was the special speaker at the event. Witkos spoke of leadership and the contributions of many in society, including members of the military. He told the students that despite their successes it would still take a lot of hard work to be a leader in society. 

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Both speakers mentioned the timing of the program coinciding with the 50th anniversary of president John F. Kennedy’s Assassination.

Both said Kennedy took risks and led the country through many trials.

And in times like the aftermath of his death, and 9-11, leadership is most important, Witkos said.

“It is in times of feat that strong leadership guides us to recovery,” Witkos said. 

Suffield honored at the event include (followed by the full speech about each): 

Alexandra Kate Rookey - Suffield Middle School

Alexandra Kate Rookey known as Kate is an extraordinary person extremely involved in activities at Suffield Middle School and in the greater Suffield community.

Kate was voted to be the Student Body President at Suffield Middle School in her eighth grade year.  As President, Kate has been quite active in the planning of more than twenty activities for students in grades 3 – 8 during the 2013-2014 school year.  Kate is a passionate athlete.  She is a member of the Suffield Travel Soccer and Basketball Teams as well as the SMS Cross Country and Basketball teams. 

Kate has become involved in the Suffield community by participating in the Leo Club and activities with her church. Most recently Kate took a trip to a few small villages in the Dominican Republic to give supplies to children and their families.  The folks she encountered in the Dominican will never forget her kind words and compassion for them.

Moving outside her comfort zone is something that Kate is willing to do.  She is a dynamic young lady that knows how to get any job done; with no complaints and a passion not found in every student or person I know.

Melissa Elizabeth McCarthy -Suffield High School 

Melissa McCarthy is an incredibly goal-oriented and talented young woman who has built a stellar academic record in her two years here at Suffield High School.  Melissa truly enjoys school and learning, is fascinated with the relationships between and among different academic disciplines, and has really embraced the challenges of the most rigorous courses available to her at SHS.  She sets exceptionally high standards for herself and has consistently been willing to go the “extra mile” to meet those standards.  I remember having to track down her AP Biology teacher late one afternoon last spring right before exam week, and there was Melissa, one of few students still there, working to better prepare herself.  This is typical of Melissa; whatever she does, she is “all in”.  Through her quiet confidence and poise, leads by example in our school community.  She is the captain of our varsity swimming & diving team and an editor of our Orpheus Literary Magazine. She is also a dedicated volunteer at a local hospital. We are proud to have Melissa McCarthy as our nominee for this year’s Farmington Valley Superintendent’s Leadership Award.


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