Southington's CT Kid Governor, Youth Leaders Honored By BoE

SOUTHINGTON, CT —The Southington Board of Education at its last meeting on Feb. 22 honored Connecticut's governor before the board's regular meeting amid applause and grins.

But Gov. Ned Lamont was nowhere to be found.

That's because, school officials welcomed Oshana Elementary School fifth-grader Cristiano Almeida, who was named the 2023-24 "Connecticut Kid Governor" last November and inaugurated in January at the Old State House in Hartford.

Southington school board Chairperson Colleeen Clark presented four students, including Cristiano, with certificates of excellence Feb. 22 for their participation in the Connecticut Kid Governor program. A fifth student was unable to attend the meeting.

According to the Connecticut Kid Governor's program website, it is "an award-winning statewide civics program created by The Connecticut Democracy Center."

Fifth-graders run for "Kid Governor" annually and are then elected by their respective schools, with the district then electing a single representative for the statewide elections.

Cristiano was Southington's second-ever "Kid Governor," with Reese Naughton being elected back in 2021.

He spoke before the school board last month, discussing major issues of his platform, which mostly centered on the importance of children being physically fit and active.

"When I decided to run for Kid Governor, my big idea was simple. I wanted to get everyone excited about being healthy," Cristiano said while speaking to the school board.

He then outlined a three-point plan to get that done. Those points include:

• Creating a "Fit for Fun" kids video series with tips on exercise and health.

• Organizing a statewide "Fit for Fun" poster contest for fifth-graders.

• Create a "Fit for Fun" "Fit Coin" program where children who engage in exercise receive redeemable tokens to earn recognition for their tasks.

School officials said they were awed and honored by all of the participants.

"It's always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students at the beginning of our board meetings and tonight is no exception to that," Southington Superintendent of Schools Steven Madancy said. "Our students had some pretty amazing platforms."

Clark said she was impressed by Cristiano and the other fifth-graders honored.

"I have heard you speak three times and every time I hear you speak, I am more impressed with your eloquence, with your ability to work the room, your overall persona. It is amazing," Clark said of Cristiano. "Are you sure you're only in the fifth grade?"

"I have faith in the future because of you and all of the work you are doing in the next year," Clark said to the honorees.

Also honored by the Southington school board were:

• Elise Capellan, Flanders School, platform dealing with social anxiety.

• Allison Furtado, Hatton School, animal welfare.

• Eve Mahoney, Strong School.

• Mason Umberger, Derynoski School, smoking, vaping and drugs.

For the minutes of the Feb. 22 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.

For more information on 2023-24 Connecticut Kid Governor program, click on this link.