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Congratulations to the 2024 Spring Award Winners, by Magali Hannegan, Awards & Hospitality Coordinator

May 24, 2024

Congratulations to the 2024 Spring Award Winners

Magali Hannegan, CT COLT Awards and Hospitality Coordinator

Every year CT COLT recognizes teachers and students through Teacher and Students Spring Awards and Scholarships. The CT COLT Awards Committee spends time evaluating the applications, essays and letters of recommendation. The committee is always amazed by the talents and accomplishments that are happening in our state. This Spring four amazing teachers and students were selected to receive the following Awards and Scholarships.

TEACHER

Robert G. Mead Award- Gina Rodriguez was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Robert G. Mead Award receiving $300 for Conference costs.

The committee was incredibly impressed by Gina Rodriguez’s commitment to professional growth and the willingness to benefit the whole WL department she is part of. She also stated very specific goals related to inspiring and motivating students with a variety of techniques. In addition her Director described Gina as an engaging, skilled, and kind Spanish teacher who is passionate about honing her craft and professional learning.

Jane G. Graveen- Ni Zhen wasselected as a winner of the 2024 Jane G. Graveen Scholarship Award. She will receive a $300 scholarship to support the purchase of Chinese vocabulary flashcards, Chinese posters, Chinese New Year Bingo Game and various resource books to teach Chinese characters to children K-5.

STUDENT

Irene Stanislawczyk Scholarship- Dominic Ponce from Quinnipiac College of Arts has been selected to receive the 2024 Irene Stanislawczyk Scholarship receiving $1000 to help defray college expenses.

Dominic is a Spanish-speaker who is eager to share her cultural background with her future students and has proven to take action by already getting involved with organizations such as CT COLT. As per the letter of recommendation, Dominic is a very empathetic, creative, and sincere young woman who has a deep interest in the diversity of Hispanic cultures and looks forward to bringing that richness to her students one day.

Kenneth A. Lester- Joshua Patterson from CT State Community College - Asnuntuck was selected to receive the 2024 Kenneth A. Lester Award receiving $1000 to study abroad this summer.

Joshua Patterson’s enthusiasm and real-life application of the target language in his community is impressive. He is invested in being a life-long language learner. As per the letter of recommendation Joshua is a charismatic, highly disciplined and an extremely motivated student.

Congratulations to all the winners!!!