Volume 12, Number 25
cheshirecitizen.com
Thursday, June 24, 2021
CHESHIRE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Rams grew stronger despite the pandemic By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Having grown through seasons fair and harsh, the 360 graduates of Cheshire High School blossomed into shades of red and white during last week’s commencement ceremony on Alumni Field. “We seedlings refused to die no matter the circumstances,” said commencement speaker Julianna Distante, who compared her classmates’ journey to the seeds she nurtured working at Cheshire Nursery. Though their branches will be going in different directions now, she encouraged her peers to cherish their roots here. School Superintendent Jeff Solan said bringing the class together was an accom-
plishment in flexibility and collaboration, but ultimately made possible by residents following guidelines and reaching a high vaccination rate, the latter of which allowed the ceremony, held Wednesday, June 16 not to require masks. In another milestone, he said Tuesday, June 15 was the first day this year that there were no students or staff in quarantine across the district. See Graduation, A10
Graduate Hannah Brennan smiles for a photo moments after receiving her diploma during graduation ceremonies at Cheshire High School on June 16. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
ERASING HATE
Summer reading program should be wild By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen
Is your family ready for an adventure? The Cheshire Public Library has one for you now that COVID restrictions have eased considerably. The library’s Summer Reading Adventure Program is back, and will have readers of all ages ‘going ape.’ The program, which kicked off June 1 and runs through Aug. 14, is centered on creatures large and small.
Last August, an offensive racial epithet written in graffiti at Doolittle Elementary School shook the community. Turning the horrible act into a positive experience, this spring, Doolittle students got to work on a rainbow mural on the wall that was vandalized. The mural, called the “Wings of Acceptance and Unity,” was worked on every Friday by Tony Arru’s art classes. Pictured: Doolittle art teacher Tony Arru works on the winged mural one morning in early June. Mariah Melendez, Cheshire Herald
“Our goal is to promote reading while also encouraging creativity and a sense of adventure,” said Allison Allen, head of children’s services at the library. “Adults are encouraged to join in on the fun. This program is a great
way to engage our adult readers to be reading role models.” Once signed up for the summer reading program, adventurers procure a booklet for the age group that fits them. The booklet has a list of challenges to complete, including reading a book on a topic that you normally would not be interested in, going to a library program, reading a book you always wanted to, and more. There’s also a public service challenge. Complete as many challenges in the booklet as you like. “We’re also giving away some pretty cool prizes which I hope will incentivize people to register,” Allen noted. “This is the See Reading, A2