Newtown Rotary Names Students Of The Month For February And March

 February’s snow delayed but did not cancel Newtown Rotary’s Student of the month Award Night. The Rotary Club made presentations to 12 students at their recent meeting. More than 80 people attended the presentation. Many proud parents, siblings, teachers, and some grandparents crowded the meeting room at the Fireside Inn.

Mason West (grade five, March), introduced by teacher Karen King, was chosen to receive for Reed Intermediate School the Personal Achievement Award. Mason is a good friend to his classmates and a student that any teacher would love to have in the classroom. What sets him apart is his maturity, his natural inquisitiveness, and his instinctive helpfulness to those around him. Mason participates in a wide variety of sports. He is also an accomplished swimmer for the Newtown Torpedoes team. In addition, Mason plays basketball and tennis. Mason cares for three pets: Mozart, a 12-year-old Airedale terrier, Rocky a hamster, and Goldy, the goldfish that is more than 6 years old!

Eni Musaka (grade five, February) attends Reed Intermediate School. Her teachers are Peter Bernson and Carla Tischio. Eni is originally from Albania and resides with her family in Sandy Hook. Eni has made a wonderful transition to a new country and culture. Working hard to master the language, at any given time she can be found buried in a good book. She especially enjoys the Series of Unfortunate Events. We feel that Eni personifies the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self” in all that she does.

 Craig Soderholm (grade six, February) attends Reed Intermediate School. His teachers are Nancy Handler and Cathleen Byrne. Chris likes school and his teachers and is described as a model student. He is a kind individual who is well liked by his peers and his teachers. Craig is active in the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club and was a Fifth Grade Orientation Speaker at Middle Gate School. He helps out at home by sometimes babysitting his younger siblings. Craig especially enjoys the times he volunteers at Ashlar. Craig was a Boy Scout and plans to begin karate. He also enjoyed playing left field and shortstop in baseball, riding his quad, and going to movies with his friends.

Nicolas Wright (grade six, March) is taught by teachers Barbara Mancher and Sara Strait. They said that Nicolas is a hardworking, straight “A” student at Reed who is always willing to give a helping hand to his peers. In addition to being an outstanding student, Nick is an amazing soccer player who has been playing for seven years and is currently on the Strikers travel team. He has been chosen to be on the Samba Developmental Soccer Team and he will be traveling with the United States Soccer Academy this summer to play soccer in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. Nick is also involved in his church at St Rose, attending weekly catechism classes. He also became a certified diver last year. This spring, the student-athlete will make the time to work with his family on a Habitat For Humanity project.

Andrew Nichols (grade seven, March) is a Newtown Middle School honor roll student, and the son of Craig and Patricia Nichols. He has many hobbies, which include singing, acting, reading, and technology. Andrew is a member of the student council, Tech Team, and chorus. As a Boy Scout he is working to achieve his second and first class rank. Andrew played the lead roll of Charley Brown in the Middle School’s outstanding musical, You’re a Good Man, Charley Brown. Next month you can see Andrew in the Bridgeport Cabaret Theater’s production of Pooh, where he will he will play the role of Christopher Robin. Andrew plans to perform with the Richter Theater this summer.

Riley Cameron (grade seven, February) is a Newtown Middle School honor roll student from the orange cluster. She is the daughter of Thomas and Amy Cameron and has a younger brother Andrew. Her teachers are Mrs Ventresca, Mrs Mulligan, Mrs Bveierie, and Mrs Johnson. She is secretary of the NMS Student Council and plays the violin in her school orchestra. An excellent French student she also takes French lessons after school on Mondays in Brookfield. Her favorite subject in school is language arts because she loves to write. Riley’s goal is to be published this year in the NMS award-winning Literary Magazine. In the future, Riley would like to be a pediatric oncologist.

Mackenzie Fuller (grade eight, February) was chosen by teachers Ms Papalia, Mrs Koonce, Mrs Privlsky, and Mr Esposito as their student of the month. Mack has a younger brother, two older sisters, and is the son of Arthur and Wendy Fuller. An avid sportsman, Mack participates in lacrosse, baseball, and football with Park and Rec. He also enjoys playing golf, tennis, and basketball. In the winter Mack also enjoys snowboarding and skiing. Mack has volunteered at his church assisting with the annual play as well as working along side his mother teaching CCD. He also enjoys assisting the coaches at his brother’s baseball practices.

Katherine Bamberg (grade eight, March) is the daughter of Steven and Nancy Bamberg. Her teachers Mr Mann and Ms Lang are delighted to have such a tremendous person as part of their cluster this year. Kate is a quite leader in the classroom and a good and loyal friend. She is poised and sensitive to others. She enjoys movies, music, and especially playing the guitar. She loves writing lyrics to songs. She has played the flute for four years and plays in the NMS band. She is a member of the NMS yearbook staff as well. Researching topics of interest is a favorite past time and currently Kate is investigating schizophrenia because of a movie she recently viewed. Outside of school Kate is a member of the Newtown Youth Services Advisory Board. What has brought her much pleasure is helping needy families during holiday time and arranging for donations to Canine Advocates. At her Bar Mitzvah, rather then gifts, Katherine asked that donations be made to the Dorothy Day House. Following in the footsteps of her father, Kate, would like to be a photo-journalist.

Jackie Fisher (grade eight, March) is an eighth grade student at St Rose. She has a 5-year-old brother, Jeremy, and was introduced by Pam Arsenault, her religion teacher. Jackie’s teachers describe her as “grace under pressure.” She has served in a summer reading program, participated in Toys for Tots, organized the parochial school dance this year, served on the yearbook committee for the last two years and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Jackie has a way of taking the bad and turning it into something good For instance, when Jackie was in sixth grade, her mother was undergoing treatment for cancer. During a class discussion about what the class could do to help, Jackie and her classmates decided to use their positive energy toward a major fundraising event for cancer research. They called it “Carnival for Caring.” They had games, food, music, dance contests — a real family affair. Not only did it raise a lot of money for cancer research, but everyone had a great time planning it and the large crowd who crammed into St Rose hall that night had a great time. When Jackie’s mom passed away this year, Jackie was the one consoling her classmates — she was a leader for her own peers — her eyes were focused on how she could comfort those around her.

 Stephen Gardner, (grade eight, St Rose, March) is recognized by his teachers as a person who is mature, humble, and quietly manages to do things in a timely, effective manner. He is community oriented and is involved with many community service programs. As an active member of the Boy Scouts for many years, Stephen became a Patrol Leader in 2004 and is a First Class Scout with 11 merit badges, including the badge for communication and environmental science. Stephen uses his leadership abilities to spearhead projects such as collecting food for the local food pantry. He has a sensitive nature about him and genuinely contributes his time and talents to helping others in need. He looks forward to continuing his service with the Boy Scouts and when he is eligible, he would like to become an active member of the Habitat for Humanity and build homes for those in need. In addition to his Scout service, Stephen also has earned a black belt as a Tae-kwon-do student and in 2002 became an assistant teacher. He has also been an active, respected team member of the Newtown Park and Recreation Soccer Club since 1996.

 Ryan Kraft (grade 12, high school) is the son of Bob and Darla Kraft. He was introduced by this teacher, Holly Ferguson. He is National Merit Scholar and Newtown High School Scholar-Athlete of the year. His teachers find him self-motivated, curious, observant, analytical, respectful, mature and open-minded. He is not only a model student but is a natural leader with an intrinsic desire to learn. Ryan is captain of the cross-country track team he is also a member in the orchestra and choir. When needed he has served as translator for activities with a sister church in Waterbury. Ryan has achieved a high level of Spanish proficiency and is committed to developing his language skills. He is studying German outside of school in preparation for a summer trip to Germany.

Karli Raub Beitel (grade 12, science department) is the daughter of Sharon and Raub Beitel. During four years in the science department Karli has always excelled in all aspects of the class, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills through her exemplary work during class discussions and laboratory activities. In addition to her academic achievements she has been involved in other areas of the school and local community and is a member of numerous organizations including: Student Council, Guidance Honor Society, Health Careers Club, Spanish National Honors Society, and Latin National Honors Society. She also volunteers at Danbury Hospital and Internal Medicine Clinic of Bridgeport and play Newtown Youth Lacrosse. Karli has also been involved in a variety of sports at the high school competing in volleyball, cross-country, and varsity lacrosse where she became the first freshman to make varsity.