Kennedy Middle School announced their Students of the Month for February. Front, from left, Sahiti Bhyravavajhala and Olivia Benson. Middle, Samantha Peluso, Caprina Pugliese, Jared Rivera, Mickey Gurzenda, and Zachary Foti. Back, Principal Richard Terino, Olivia Roberts, Sara Roccapriore, Alexandra Barner, Kiralyn Wadman, Ryan Shurkus, and Asst. Principal Susanne Vitcavage.
Kennedy Middle School announced their Students of the Month for February. Teachers nominated these students for their academic improvement on performance, exemplary citizenship, and/or participation in extracurricular activities.
Sixth grade students of the month are Alexandra Barner, Olivia Benson and Zachary Foti.
An ideal student, Alexandra is always prepared for class, tests and quizzes. A confident young lady, she produces projects that go above and beyond her teachers’ expectations. Alexandra is a member of the Builder’s Club, the Drama Club, Con Brio, the stage band, Junior Next Step and Unified Theatre. She plays town lacrosse and enjoys dancing, swimming, playing golf, walking her dog and spending time with her family and friends.
Olivia sets high standards for herself, and she performs above what her teachers expect of her team members. An honor roll student and a member of the orchestra, Olivia participates in a town dancing class, enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
An excellent role model for his peers, Zachary has a great personality. With his enlightened sense of citizenship, he is eager to learn and to help others. He is a member of the bowling club, the band, and the stock market club. Zachary is an altar server and in his free time he enjoys Minecraft, reading and bike riding.
Seventh grade students of the month are Samantha Peluso, Jared Rivera and Olivia Roberts.
Samantha is an extremely hardworking student who takes her studies very seriously. She puts forth great effort in all her classes and she is a great help to her peers when they are in need. Samantha plays town soccer and enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends.
Jared is a conscientious and dedicated student. Enjoyable and witty, he is a friend to everyone and an active participant in all his classes. An honor roll student, he is a member of the band and the cross country team. Jared plays town baseball and volunteers to shovel snow for neighbors. He enjoys running, riding his bike and playing football with his brother.
A charming, patient and helpful young lady, Olivia offers encouragement to her peers. A motivated and focused student, she is a cheerleader and member of the color guard, the band, the Homework Club and Unified Theater. Outside school Olivia is active in the Leaders Club at the YMCA.
Eighth grade students of the month are Sahiti Bhyravavajhala, Mickey Gurzenda, Caprina Pugliese, Sara Roccapriore, Ryan Shurkus and Kiralyn Wadman.
Sahiti is an eighth grade Unified Arts student of the month. She has shown a great deal of musical growth in her years at Kennedy. She displays a positive attitude in her approach to music and she is an active participant and contributor to her class. Sahiti is the manager of the girls’ basketball team and a member of Con Brio, the art club, the orchestra, Junior Next Steps and Unified Theater. She swims for the Southington YMCA swim team, babysits for neighborhood children, enjoys violin lessons, art, reading and activities with her family and friends.
Mickey, an honor roll student, is an asset to his team and his school community. Hardworking and conscientious, he leads by example and is a role model for all. Mickey is also respectful, kind, courteous and always eager to help anyone in need. He is a member of the basketball and cross country teams, the NJHS and the Red Cross Club. He plays town baseball and basketball and participates in STEPS. In addition to sports, Mickey is interested in architecture.
Caprina is the eighth grade world language student of the month. A respectful, kind and studious young lady, she is attentive and applies with accuracy all the information she has learned. Caprina demonstrates excellence in her assignments and assessments and completes all work on time. She also accepts challenges and maintains a top grade while doing so. Caprina is a member of the chorus and team dance at Dance City and the Arts. She has participated in the Apple Harvest parade and the United Way charity show for Dance City and the Arts. Outside of school, Caprina enjoys animals and is also hoping to become a veterinarian.
Sara is an eighth grade Unified Arts student of the month. She goes above and beyond on the quality of her craftsmanship. She expresses true joy in working with tools and machinery and she was prepared for the challenges posed in her transportation and manufacturing classes. Sara readily shares her talents with her classmates and helps them with their projects. A member of the chorus, she volunteers at her church. Outside interests include painting, sculpting and inventing.
Ryan is a quiet, self-motivated student. He is a good problem solver, and he has a strong work ethic. A member of the orchestra, he enjoys music and working with computers.
Kiralyn, a pleasant addition to her team, is very helpful to her peers. Consistent, responsible and conscientious, she is a member of the band and the JFK and SHS color guard. Kiralyn also enjoys dancing and playing the piano.