Danbury High Students Have Say In Education Reform

Three Danbury High School students were awarded an honorable mention in the high school division of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) and Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) video contest, challenging students to create shorts about how they think the education system should be improved.

Danbury's Mohammed Alam, Duvan Ulloa and Jake Gallagher won a $100 gift cards for their video, “Conncap/Upward Bound.” View their entry above and see the rest of the winning videos here.

"Every video we received was creative, engaging and revealed a passion for improving public education in Connecticut," CAPSS Executive Director Joseph Cirasuolo, Ed.D., said. "We congratulate the students on their achievements and commend them for taking the time to develop such creative and engaging videos."

Featured among the top entries were ideas for integrating more technology into the learning process, recommendations for new classes, suggestions for more collaborative learning and strategies for restructuring the school day.

The results in the Middle School Division are:
1st Place: Megan Greene and Audrey Garcia (Bethel Middle School, Bethel)
2nd Place (tied): Colin Monahan (New Fairfield Middle School, New Fairfield)
2nd Place (tied): Kairav Maniar, Moran Middle School (Wallingford)
3rd Place: Zeel Patel and Madison Wilson, Washington Middle School (Meriden)
Honorable Mentions: Maddie Westcott, Caitlin Buckley and Mackenzie Wolcheski, Moran Middle School (Wallingford); and, Mitchell Hall and Hayden French, Moran Middle School (Wallingford)

The results in the High School Division are:
1st Place: James Willis and Liam Keith, Weston High School (Weston)
2nd Place (tied): Erik Milbauer, Greenwich High School (Riverside)
2nd Place (tied): Jonathan Denton and Charles Bratches, Daniel Hand High School (Madison)
3rd Place: Mia Grossman and Dana Lofink, Brookfield High School (Brookfield)
Honorable Mention: Mohammed Alam, Duvan Ulloa and Jake Gallagher, Danbury High School (Danbury)

Middle School Division Awards: $800 (1st place), $400 (2nd place) and $200 (3rd place) scholarships.

High School Division Awards: $1,500 (1st place), $700 (2nd place) and $350 (3rd place) scholarships.

The honorable mentions in both divisions will receive $100 gift cards.

The 'Student Voices' video contest was inspired by the CT NextEd Report, which provides practical recommendations for how to reimagine Connecticut's educational system.