Whiz Kids: Four kids ACE the Perry Awards

Whiz Kids:  Vanessa Grant, Junior;  Mike Laurentus, Sophomore; Latisha Jones, Sophomore; Luisa Soto-Perdonna, Senior

 The Alternative Center for Excellence awarded four students Perry Awards at a ceremony last Wednesday night. A student won in each category of Math, Science, English and Social Studies, and each was awarded $50.00 as a reward for their hard work.

   Science: Mike Laurentus

“We did a project where we went to the Still River and looked for biosystems. I had to go into the water with waders on, in water that was chest deep in December and January. I found that I really liked being in the water, I found it very interesting. There were all these little things in the water that I never knew were there.

 “There was one part of the river that was swampy and dirty but where the water was moving it was fine. I picked up all these little tiny bugs, they live in that water all year. I was shocked that they were there. They were like little lobsters the size of mosquitos.   There are different kinds of bugs and some can't survive pollution. If you can find those, then you know the water isn't too bad.

 “I didn't used to like science. Last year I had a 20 average. This year my average has been in the 90s. That's the beauty of ACE. The teachers are always there, it's only 92 kids. It's like a giant family.”

 English: Latisha Jones

 “The best thing about this school is that there is always someone to support you. I want to be a marriage counselor or a pastry chef. I'd like to help people with their relationships.

 Last year I had a lot of obstacles. I had to live in foster care and I had to wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning to take the bus here. I was in Southington, and there was a school van that would pick me up. It was hard but I didn't let it get to me because I knew I would be back with mom. I just knew I would. This year, I am back with my mom.  

 The support I get from my boyfriend and my family keep me going. And I want to be something when I grow up.”

 Joanne Tolles, ACE's English teacher said, “You have no idea what these kids have to overcome. Latisha is very skilled at English. She helps the other kids in class, she is a natural teacher.”

“This school and everyone in it is a thing of beauty. Every month our parents night is filled. Everyone here cares so much about the students and it's a great school for kids who want to make it work,” said ACE Principal L. Milone Schreiner.

 Math: Luisa Soto-Perdonna

 Luisa came to ACE just a year after coming here from the Dominican Republic. She started at Danbury High School but was struggling with learning a new language in a huge school. She decided that going to ACE would make her transition easier.

 Luisa said, “I needed a small school. It's quiet here and all the teachers help you. My grades in the Domincan Republic were really good, and they were good at DHS in my freshman year. But it was too hard there. There were just so many students and nobody knew me, the teachers didn't know me. I was uncomfortable in such a big school.”

 “I work almost forty hours a week. I work until about 11 p.m. almost every night. I'm tired when I come in to school, but you get used to it. I work in a fast food restaurant but I really want to work in a hospital. I am saving my money, maybe to go to college. I might be a nurse, but ever since I was little I wanted to be a doctor. I would like to bring babies into this world.”

 John Webber, Luisa's guidance teacher, said, “She's fantastic. She is by far one of the hardest workers I have ever seen both inside or outside this school. She has a full time job! And an unbelievable work ethic.”

 Bahige Swanson, Luisa'a math teacher, said, “She is very determined. She works hard at understanding, and makes sure she really understands the work before she moves on.”

Social Studies: Vanessa Grant

 “In the past, I used to wait a few days before asking a teacher for help, and I would fall behind. To make up for that I started doing extra credit work. I feel like I applied myself when it was not required, I wrote essays, I did comics and drawings. I think that made a difference and was why I won the award.”

Tolles said, “These students are all hard workers. They have a lot of motivation and perseverence, and they have all overcome obstacles to win this award.”

Since the Perry Awards are based on student's ability to succeed through diligent effort and to the best of their ability, it seems these four students fell solidly under those guidelines. Congratulations to these four Perry Award Winners and may their hard work continue into a success filled future!