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Middletown celebrates teachers, nutrition staff, agriscience and student performers
Summary
The board honored staff and students: Erin Scholes (innovation and robotics), Randall Mell (school nutrition award), Amanda Thompson (agriculture science award), the MHS crew team, the Blue Dragons marching band (90.8 score), and the Elizabeth Swaim after school strings program (enrollment growth to 178).
The board paused regular business to recognize district staff and student achievements. Erin Scholes, innovation coordinator at Beaman Middle School, was honored by the Connecticut Technology and Engineering Educators Association for her leadership in STEAM and work building the Innovation Center and robotics program.
Randall Mell, director of food, nutrition and wellness, received a statewide school nutrition recognition and described district efforts to expand scratch cooking, local procurement, gardens and culinary training supported by grants, with the district pursuing Eat Real certification. Amanda Thompson, agricultural science teacher, described the Kegwin Field 'field of dreams' project — trail waypoints, waterfowl habitat, and expanded large‑animal programming — and credited grant writing and district finance support.
Student performers and coaches were recognized: the Middletown High School crew team (noting 47 athletes and a girls' double that placed second at the Northeast Regional Championships), the Blue Dragons marching band (scored 90.8 at the Connecticut State Championships), and the Elizabeth Swaim after‑school strings program (enrollment up to 178 from 70 five years ago).
These recognitions highlighted extracurricular and instructional programs that administrators said strengthen student engagement and provide opportunities across the district and region.
