04-21-21
Students Recognized By the South Central Area Superintendents’ Association
On Tuesday, April 21, 2021, the Woodbridge Board of Education was pleased to recognize two more of this year’s recipients of the South Central Area Superintendents’ Association (SCASA) Student Recognition Award.
Each year, each local Superintendent is able to honor a small number of sixth-grade students who have gone above and beyond in three categories: First, community service and service to others; Second, academic prowess; and Third, leadership to the school community. This year, over three-dozen nominations of Beecher sixth-graders were received, and the selection committee faced a significant challenge. However, this year’s final award recipients rose to the top, and are being recognized at this spring’s Board of Education meetings.
On April 21, Shane Grogan and Luke Lamour were recognized with several significant accomplishments. Shane Grogan has continuously demonstrated academic excellence, most recently scoring in the top ten percentile nationally on STAR Reading. In addition to academics, Shane is passionate about giving back to the community and serves as a regular volunteer and advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Over the past few years, Shane has helped raise thousands of dollars for diabetes research, and in 2016, Shane and his team were awarded the Top New Family Fundraising Team Award. Shane also volunteers for the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, helping to monitor threatened shorebirds and educate the public regarding the importance of preservation. Shane also enjoys playing basketball and baseball and recently helped his basketball travel team win its division in the Milford Hoops Basketball Tournament. Shane was also key to the Beth-Wood 10U All-Star Baseball team that brought the first district championship to Woodbridge in many years. In addition, Shane is an avid birder and member of the Connecticut Ornithological Association.
At age 11, Luke Lamour is already a published author, with the children’s book entitled Jimmy Carter: From the Peanut Life to the Presidency. Since that publication, Luke has participated in Woodbridge’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, Math Counts, Scholastic Kids Press, Scholars Club, One Keynote Address, and other public speaking events. Luke is also very fond of stop-motion animation and has a channel called “Luke’s Historical Stories,” with the goal of publishing at least seven (7) seasons of his series. Luke strives to keep publishing articles, learn the name of every country in the world, and go to the diamond level for Scholars Club.
Shane and Luke attended the April 20 Board of Education meeting with their parents, Mark and Joan Grogan, and Gibson and Murielle Lamour, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and thanking the Beecher Road School for the great foundation it has given them.
Daniel Cowan, Woodbridge Board of Education Member; Lynn Piascyk, Woodbridge Board of Education Chair; Analisa Sherman, Beecher Road School Principal; Shane Grogan; Luke Lamour; Jonathan S. Budd, Ph.D., Superintendent of Woodbridge School District
// Original Article Appeared on Woodbridge Town News