Derby Students Honored At CAPSS Award Banquet

Information via Derby Public Schools

DERBY, CT — Four Derby students were recently honored at the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents award banquet.

According to a news release provided by Derby Public Schools, CAPSS has developed a student award program to provide superintendents with the means of aligning themselves with their students.

The program is made available to local CAPSS superintendents who wish to participate.

The following Derby students were honored by CAPSS, according to the school district:

• Trioni Wright
• Syndell Cooper
• Samiya Batista
• Veer Patel

The program awards students based on community service and service to others, academic prowess (relative to ability) and leadership service to the school community. The award recognition program is designed to allow superintendents to move beyond the academic achiever who routinely receives recognition.

Superintendent Matthew Conway Jr. was proud to recognize students from the region with this prestigious award at the Annual Student Award Banquet, held March 25 at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange.

"We are incredibly proud to recognize this year’s recipients of the CAPSS Superintendent’s Award of Excellence," Conway said in a news release. These students exemplify the values we hold dear—leadership, academic dedication, and service to others. Their positive impact on our schools and community is a testament to their character and grit. They represent the very best of what it means to be a Derby student."

Jennifer Leeper, CT Representative for the 132nd District, was a guest speaker for the event.

Leeper will serve as vice chair of the Education Committee and as a member of the Environment and Human Services committees for the state of Connecticut during this legislative session.

"It was inspiring to see how many truly accomplished student leaders we have and they gave me so much hope for the future," Leeper said in a news release. "These students are excelling in their not only academics, but also are giving of their personal time to improve the well-being of their entire communities. These students embody the qualities and values needed to build great communities. Thank you to the Valley community for welcoming me in to this really joyous evening to celebrate your phenomenal young people."

Derby BOE Chairman Jim Gildea also expressed pride in the local students recognized by CAPSS.

"We are incredibly proud of our students for their achievements, their commitment to making a difference and their positive influence in their schools and communities," Gildea said in a news release. "This award is a testament to their hard work and the bright future that lies ahead for each one of them."