Two Bethel Middle School Students Are Among Winners of the Union Savings Bank 8th Annual National Women’s History Month Essay Contest

Report by Paula Antolini
May 1, 2017 7:38AM EDT

 

 

Photo: Front Row (Winners) Camil Toscano, St. Peters School; Ella Burns-DeMelo, Bethel Middle School; Talia Pereira, St. Joseph School; Kayla O’Marra, St. Mary School  Second Row (Runner up’s) Shamus O’Grady, Bethel Middle School; Aaron Griffin, St. Mary’s School; Sen. McLachlan; Michele Bonvicini, Union Savings Bank Director of Community Relations; Carina Clark, St. Joseph School.

 

Two Bethel Middle School Students Are Among Winners of the Union Savings Bank 8^th Annual National Women’s History Month Essay Contest

Two Bethel Middle School students, Ella Burns-DeMelo (winner) and Shamus O’Grady (runner-up) are among the students chosen to be celebrated in the Union Savings Bank 8th Annual National Women’s History Mont Essay Contest.  Congratulations to all the students honored!

 

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Sen. McLachlan, Union Savings Bank Announce Essay Contest Winners

In a ceremony at Danbury City Hall, State Senator Michael McLachlan (R-24) and Union Savings Bank celebrated the winners of the 8^th Annual National Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

The contest is open to students from public and parochial elementary schools in the greater Danbury area, who submit essays about “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contributions to the State and Nation Affect Me.”

Students were asked to focus on one notable Connecticut woman, detailing her life and accomplishments, and then describe what those contributions mean to them.

“Every year, Union Savings Bank looks forward to participating in Sen. McLachlan’s essay contest for children in the Greater Danbury area,” said Union Savings Bank Director of Community Relations Michele Bonvicini. “This offers children a great opportunity to research and write about influential and inspiring Connecticut women and learn how their actions have impacted our lives today. We proudly support this event and congratulate the winners and runners-up.”

Sen. McLachlan said the contest accomplishes multiple educational objectives, from learning how to research to learning more about the state’s history and the important role women have played. The contest also helps children learn to effectively communicate their finding in a written format.

“Every year I am impressed by the quality of research and writing demonstrated by these young people,” Sen. McLachlan said. “I’m proud of all the students who enter the contest and serve as great representatives of their schools. They make it very difficult to choose winners.”

Sen. McLachlan thanked Union Savings Bank for donating the prizes for the contest.

“This event would not be possible without their incredible generosity,” he said.

Contest winners are:

Bethel Middle School – winner Ella Burns-DeMelo and runner up Shamus O’Grady

St. Gregory the Great School – winner Mary Grace Fontana and runner up Daniel Goetz

St. Joseph School – winner Talia Pereira and runner up Carina Clark

St. Mary School – winner Kayla O’Marra and runner up Aaron Griffin

St. Peter School – winner Camil Toscano and runner up Ludmila Conceicao

Sen. McLachlan represents the communities of Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Sherman.

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Photo: Front Row (Winners) Camil Toscano, St. Peters School; Ella Burns-DeMelo, Bethel Middle School; Talia Pereira, St. Joseph School; Kayla O’Marra, St. Mary School.

Second Row (Runner up’s) Shamus O’Grady, Bethel Middle School; Aaron Griffin, St. Mary’s School; Sen. McLachlan; Michele Bonvicini, Union Savings Bank Director of Community Relations; Carina Clark, St. Joseph School.

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