Schools

Local Superintendents Honor Farmington's McGuire, Druzinsky

The Farmington Valley Superintendents' Association recognized student leaders at a luncheon on Friday.

By John Fitts

The Farmington Valley Superintendents’ Association formally recognized student leaders during a ceremony at the Farmington Country Club Friday, Nov. 22, 2013.

The honor was part of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Student Recognition Program, which honors students who maintain good scholastic progress, exhibit leadership and serve at school and in their communities. Most recognize a student at the middle school level and one in high school.

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“All the students in this room are to be commended,” said Canton Superintendent Kevin D. Case, who hosted this year’s awards. “This is quite a distinct honor.”

State Sen. Kevin Witkos was the special speaker at the event. Witkos spoke of leadership and the contributions of many in society, including members of the military. He told the students that despite their successes it would still take a lot of hard work to be a leader in society. 

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Both speakers mentioned the timing of the program coinciding with the 50th anniversary of president John F. Kennedy’s Assassination.

Both said Kennedy took risks and led the country through many trials.

And in times like the aftermath of his death, and 9-11, leadership is most important, Witkos said.

“It is in times of feat that strong leadership guides us to recovery,” Witkos said. 

Irving A. Robbins Middle School

Margaret Grace McGuire

Margaret McGuire is an eighth grade student on Team D at Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington.  Maggie, as she is known, attended East Farms School and WestWoods Upper Elementary School.  According to her teachers, Maggie is a diligent student with a strong work ethic.  She also is a friendly, kind, caring, and compassionate person who models positive peer relationships and works hard to support other students in class and on her teams.  She regularly takes the initiative to reach out to new students to make them feel welcome at IAR. 

Last year Maggie was a member of IAR’s Green Team environmental club, performed in the spring musical Grease, and won an award at the Connecticut History Day competition.  This year she is a co-founder of IAR’s Unity Club, serves as a homeroom representative to the student council, and participates in the Skype Club, which connects IAR students to their peers at a school in France.  Maggie is an avid and accomplished volleyball and softball player.  Finally, Maggie has volunteered at the Farmington Food Pantry and MiddleWoods, a local assisted living center, and participated in the annual Relay for Life for the past two years.    

Farmington High School

Bradley Druzinsky

If we ranked our students, Bradley Druzinsky would be near the top of his class.  Highly accomplished, he has earned a 97.62 overall grade point average and has taken only our most challenging classes throughout his high school career.  He won our Holy Cross Book Award last year and is a member of National Honor Society as well as Spanish and Math National Honor Societies.  He has already been named an AP Scholar with Distinction because he’s earned a 4 or a 5 on each of the 7 AP classes he has completed.  This year, he will add another five AP courses to his transcript which will mean that he will have taken every AP class he could possibly fit into his schedule.   His teachers are deeply impressed, calling him a “true scholar,” an “outstanding role model for his peers” and someone whose “open-mindedness, passion for (history) and sterling work ethic set him apart from his peers.”

Bradley is also a school leader who currently serves as Executive President of our Student Council, a member of our boys’ varsity soccer team and of our boys’ volleyball team (which has elected him captain for the 2014 season).  He also participates in our Model U.N. and our Debate Team.   He is dedicated to the community and gives back in several ways.  Most recently, he volunteered for Rebuilding Together Hartford.  It was noted that he doesn’t just lead by example, but also uses his personality and his sense of humor to motivate others.


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