Students win oratorical contest, robotics team heads to worlds; teacher grant and local donation recognized
Loading...
Summary
Board honored David Chamura as oratorical contest winner; FRC robotics Team 195 will compete at the world championship in Houston; a teacher won a Fund for Teachers grant and Connecticut Lightning Softball donated $3,000 to Hatton Elementary ABA rooms.
Board members and staff used the meeting to recognize recent student and staff accomplishments.
David Chamura was introduced as the winner of the annual American Legion oratorical contest. A contest volunteer explained the format — an 8–10 minute prepared speech followed by a 3–5 minute impromptu talk on one of four constitutional articles chosen by the audience — and praised Chamura's ability to "stand in front of a group and perform on the spot." The board presented Chamura a certificate of excellence bearing the board seal and signatures; the certificate cites Southington Public Schools standards and is dated April 2025.
Student board representatives reported events across the district, including junior prom, the creative fair and a spring concert. They also said FIRST Robotics Competition Team 195 will travel to Houston to compete at the world championship from April 20 and that at the New England District Championship the team received the Impact Award for community outreach. The student report said Team 195 reached more than 200,000 people with outreach over the past three years, supports 21 First Lego League teams in the region and hosts "Girls Who Code" and community elder nights.
At the district level, the board recognized sixth‑grade teacher Katie Soltis for receiving a Fund for Teachers grant from the Dalio Foundation; the teacher will travel to South Africa this summer to collect environmental data, the administration said. Superintendent (administration) also thanked Connecticut Lightning Softball and Steve Wright for a $3,000 donation to Hatton Elementary School for ABA room supplies and equipment.
Why it matters: The recognitions highlight extracurricular success, community engagement and outside funding that support student opportunities and instruction.
Ending: The board invited the winner and organizers for photographs and noted the district will share images on Southington Schools social media accounts.
