www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 18, Number 26
Friday, June 25, 2021
Elementary school changes expected
SHS COMMENCEMENT
Resilient graduates appreciate moment
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Southington education leaders could make a decision on what to do with three elementary schools in need of renovation next year with construction farther out than that.
Hundreds of Southington High School students celebrated graduation Friday, June 18 while class leaders urged them to appreciate the present. Speakers addressed the difficulties over the past to school year, the resilience of the class of 2021 and the need to take nothing for granted. The ceremony was held on the football field.
Appreciating the moment
“I feel grateful that we have been able to gather here today,” said School Superintendent Tim Connellan.
Kevin Le, the class salutatorian, said he had time to reflect on his high school experience this year as four years wrapped up. He
From left: Maddie Block, Alexah Zaczynski, Kelly Barrett and Camila Connolly take a group photo before the ceremony. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal
mostly remembered the stress, academic effort and drive towards the next goal. The pandemic showed him that nothing is guar-
Earlier this year, Colliers Project Leaders presented options for improving Derynoski, Kelley and Flanders schools, the district’s three oldest elementary buildings. The options included: renovating all three schools, renovating Derynoski, closing Flanders and building a new Kelley, and closing Derynoski and building new Flanders and Kelley schools.
See Graduation, A8
See Changes, A2
Southington UNICO names annual Gold Medal Award winner By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Always making time to improve the lives of his fellow residents through social civic organizations, the Southington UNICO chapter recognized Mike Soltys with its annual
Gold Medal Award. “We’re thrilled because he represents what UNICO stands for, which is service above self,” said Sharon Williams, the chairperson of the committee organizing the Gold Medal Award Dinner. Soltys will be
formally recognized at the dinner, scheduled for Sept. 22 at the Aqua Turf. Having been involved in Bread For Life for over a decade, Soltys said it’s been rewarding to help the organization grow its mission of making
sure no residents go hungry. As chair of the organization’s Board of Directors for the past six years, he oversaw the consolidation of its operations into its own dedicated building on Vermont Avenue, the See UNICO, A7
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