www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 21
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Generations unite, discuss high school life
Lab seeks return of nuclear gauge
By Jack Carroll Special to The Citizen
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
As the school year was winding down, students in Berlin High School’s Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society gave a presentation on the high school’s renovation at the Senior Center.
A materials testing lab in Berlin is asking residents to be on the lookout for a Honda Accord containing a nuclear density gauge stolen Sunday, June 30 in Tolland.
Students opened by addressing the recently-updated main entrance, auditorium, library media center, gymnasium and guidance office. While presenting, a slideshow with photos of each of these sections of the high school was displayed for the audience. In addition to the physical changes at the high school, members of Rho Kappa also discussed the updated academic resources and course offerings provided at BHS to help students better prepare for college. Throughout the course of the presentation, members of the audience engaged with the students and compared their high school experiences with those of current teenagers.
Berlin High School’s Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society visited the Senior Center in June.
Discussing the Senior Center event, Rho Kappa advisor David Bosso said, “The students and advisors of Rho Kappa had an enjoyable afternoon with members of the Berlin Senior Center as we examined changes that have taken place (at BHS) over the years and with education in general. The opportunity “The audience provided for students and seniors to great information about connect and interact was what it was like to be in high school 50 to 60 years welcomed and memorable. ago,” Rush added. “Many We look forward to ongoing collaboration in the new members of Rho Kappa did not realize how many school year.” opportunities they have -- Jack Carroll is a rising sein comparison to those who attended high school nior at BHS and a member of Rho Kappa. in the past.” Rho Kappa advisor Brendan Rush said, “I truly enjoyed seeing students discussing experiences in high school with members of the Senior Center. I believe everyone left with a new understanding of what life was and is like in high school.”
Shawn Chaudhary, director of strategy and business development for Tri State Materials Testing Lab, said the gauge does not emit radioactivity unless tampered with. It was in a locked yellow storage case marked “Troxier” inside the trunk of the technician’s Accord when the car was stolen. The white 2009 Accord has a Connecticut license plate – “244-RJL.” If opened, a mild amount of radiation could be emitted from the gauge. “Unless someone cuts the lock open they won't be able to free the gauge,” Chaudhary said. “Due to the radioactive source in the gauge, it is imperative that no one handles the device outside of the storage case.” A press release from the Nu-
clear Regulatory Commission said they have been informed of the theft and requested that anyone who comes in contact with the device call their 24-hour operations hotline at 301-816-5100.
“The gauge, which is stored in a yellow protective transportation case, consists of a shielding container with a plunger-type handle protruding from the top. The handle is used to manually extend and then retract the radioactive sources from the shielded position,” the release said. As long as the sources remain shielded the device poses no hazard, the release added. “However, any attempt to tamper with the radioactive sources in the device could subject a person to radiation exposure. Handling of the unshielded sources outside the container would carry a risk of potentially dangerous radiation exposure.” The company, located at 60 Woodlawn Road, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the recovery of the gauge.
R217652