🌱 Beautiful Night For VRHS Graduation + Congrats To Matheus Silva

Hi all! Karena Garrity here with your Wednesday edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's going on locally. Today's issue includes news about...

• It was a perfect night for the Valley Regional High School graduation.
• Congratulations to the class of 2023 salutatorian, Matheus Silva!
• Hate crimes are on the rise in Connecticut.

But first, today's weather A shower and thunderstorm. High: 76 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories in Essex-Chester-Deep River today:

1. One hundred and twenty-six students from the Valley Regional Class of 2023 walked across the stage last night to receive their diplomas, throw their caps in the air and take the first step into their futures. It was a beautiful night for VRHS 72nd Annual Commencement Exercise and the students, faculty, administrators and parents gathered together one last time to celebrate the accomplishments of this senior class. Congratulations graduates! Good luck! (Valley Regional High School)
2. Matheus Silva, the salutatorian of his graduating class (who delivered a touching speech), graduated as an accomplished member of the International Baccalaureate Program at Valley Regional High School. He is the recipient of a full scholarship to Harvard University, as well as the Bill Gates scholarship and will soon be traveling to Florida as part of the Bill Gates Scholarship Program. He will meet with other Gates’ winners for a symposium designed to help build a core of committed young people with exceptional leadership skills. His Gates scholarship will cover any college costs that are not part of his scholarship from Harvard. Congratulations Matheus and good luck in your college career. (Hope-CT.org)
3. A disturbing trend seems to be taking place in the state of Connecticut. According to WTNH.com, "The Anti-Defamation League said that there has been a 265 percent [rise] in hate crimes within the [last] four years." A Pride Month book display at the Essex Library was dismantled this weekend, and a swastika was painted on a Black Lives Matter mural in Hartford. There were also hate-filled letters left in driveways last week in Thompson. The [Essex] library wants people to know it is committed to providing families with what they choose to read, while artists in Hartford picked up paint brushes to restore the mural. [However]for now, people are on edge." (WTNH.com)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Wednesday, June 14

• Pokemon Night! Ages High School to 30 (5:30 PM)
• Shell & Bee: Tie Dye Projects (6:30 PM)
• Shell & Bee Studio: Watercolor Workshop (6:30 PM)
• Black Bean Tacos (ZOOM) (6:30 PM)
• Threats to Our Local Waterways and Strategies for Protecting Them (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "Teen Anime & Manga Club meets next week! Thursday, June 22, 5:30 p.m. in the Program Room, registration required. Sign up at 860-767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com Come explore the world of anime & manga with us at Essex Library." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Do you have old shoes, duffle bags, placemats or curtains that won't ever be used again? The Essex Transfer Station has textile bins accepting all this and more! In any condition, 95 percent of all textiles can be recycled! " (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch: "5 New Essex-Chester-Deep River Area Homes On The Market." (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)

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Featured events:

• Summer Vocal Workshop (June 17)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com