CAPSS Awards 22-23


Bear Path School- 
Mary Bonadies
Mary Bonadies

Mary is named after both of her grandmothers, Mary and Regina. She channels their energy to make the world a better place, to express her curiosity, and be kind to others.She always brings this positive energy and curiosity to school with a smile. She spreads this kindness among her classmates and teachers, and when she helps with the school flag. She loves to laugh, which we love, because her laugh is so contagious, and sometimes we need that at the end of the day. Her caring attitude extends to her schoolwork, which is always done thoughtfully and thoroughly. At the beginning of the year, she wrote a beautiful personal narrative, the prose of which was indicative of a kind and sensitive heart, one that cares and feels with those around it. 


At home she dabbles in many different hobbies and sports. She courageously tried basketball without ever dribbling or shooting beforehand. This year will be her first with lacrosse, after previously having tried softball, tennis, and swimming (in addition to basketball). She loves all types of arts and crafts and has taken over the family craft area with projects in various stages of completion. She lights up around any family, cousins, aunts and uncles, and her contagious giggles around them are also seen when she gathers with her friends.   Mary loves to read. Her bookshelves are overflowing and her nightstand is stacked. Her family shares that they don’t know where it comes from, but it is a source of energy and inspiration. They joke that Mary should bring a hand truck to the library to carry all the books she signs out or returns.


We love Mary at Bear Path, and we'll be sad to see her go at the fast-approaching end of this school year. But of course, we'll be proud to see her grow up and move on to bigger and brighter endeavors. Congratulations, Mary!

Bear Path School- 
Mateo Flores Diaz
Mateo Flores Diaz

Mateo is an outstanding and talented scholar and school community member. He demonstrates a high level of motivation and effort in all that he does. No matter the task, Mateo is always focused on learning and working to his full potential every day. He challenges himself to do more than is expected and often pushes those around him to do the same.

Mateo is a leader in our school community and exemplifies the Bear Path Choose Love Pledge. It is rare to say that a student is doing the right thing 100% of the time, and the sixth grade team agrees that this is true of Mateo. He is a true role model and positive example of behavior and kindness.

A talented musician, Mateo plays trumpet in the school band and was recently selected to perform with Hamden's town wide band. Mateo also volunteered to take on important roles in the Bear Path community. He begins each school day by mentoring younger students in the primary grades. He is also a member of the Bear Path Green Team, which works to reduce landfill waste and increase composting and recycling of cafeteria food waste. 

Outside of school, Mateo engages in several challenging activities. Since 2018, Mateo has been learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a self-defense martial art and sport that is often described as “human chess” because of the mental and physical aspects of the sport. He is currently a gray belt with a black stripe. He is also a member of the Silver City Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Meriden. 


Church Street School-
Ricardo De La Cruz

Ricardo De La Cruz

Ricardo exemplifies the well-rounded sixth grade student. Academically, Ricardo puts forth such a high level of effort in all subjects each and every day. Ricardo continuously demonstrates a commitment to learning in all academic areas. He can often be found perusing the shelves for a new book. Sometimes he is reading with a smile on his face as he takes on the adventures alongside the characters and, at other times, he is absorbing all of the new knowledge about an interesting topic so that he can teach others all that he has learned. Ricardo maintains high standards for himself and is always striving to improve. Not only does he want the best for himself, but for others around him. Ricardo can always be counted on to lend a helping hand or his translation services to a classmate when needed…without expecting anything in return. He is the type of student that every teacher hopes to have in their class.

Ricardo consistently shows respect for both his peers and his teachers. With his positive attitude, he helps to create an atmosphere at Church Street School that is absolutely valuable. Ricardo proudly serves as a Church Street School eagle executive, a role model to the second graders with whom he supports, and a listener to the ideas of others to improve his school community. Ricardo has shared that his life has been most influenced by his supportive family. He is quick to recognize his dad for all that he does for the family, as well as his sister who has taught him how to stay safe and who to turn to in an emergency. They are the people that always remind him that he can do whatever he sets his mind on. Ricardo’s strong leadership skills, high academic achievement, and his willingness to make Church Street School the best place that it can be will certainly serve him well in the future as he aspires to be a mathematician or working in the food industry. We are all so proud to nominate Ricardo as our CAPSS 2023 student recipient. Congratulations!


Dunbar Hill School- 
Khadijah Naseer

Sara_Jimenez-Herrera

Khadijah is one of Dunbar Hill’s brightest and most inquisitive students. She embodies Dunbar Hill P.R.I.D.E as she is positive, responsible, respectful, in control and empathetic.  Her academic prowess is second to none and he is always striving to learn more. 

She is the first to lend a hand when a classmate is in need, and she has even been a teacher’s assistant during several classes.  Khadijah helps out in one of our kindergarten rooms several days a week, and even reads stories to them.  Every year for her birthday, Khadijah donates money to charity in lieu of gifts.  There is no one more deserving of this award than Khadijah Naseer.


Hamden High School
Pauline Aburgi
Pauline Aburgi
Zahra Elahee

Z Elahee

Luca Ferrucci

L Ferrucci

Jack Gaffney

J Gaffney

Loydon Henry-Phillip

Loydon Henry Phillip

Ishnan Khan

Ishnan Khan

   

Hamden Middle School-
Owen Arenberg 

Owen Arenberg

Team Rocco is honored to nominate Owen Arenberg for the CAPPS award.  Owen’s leadership is exemplified through his academic success in the classroom, participation in extracurricular activities and involvement in the community.  Owen has been a true leader in the classroom and is always willing to assist his teachers and classmates.  

Owen is involved in various extracurricular activities at HMS including theater, mock trial and the National Junior Honor Society.  He has served as a role model and leader in the community.  Owen has been a member of the Boy Scouts since first grade.  In this role, he has volunteered his time during town cleanups and marking the graves of veterans on Memorial Day.  Owen has also volunteered his time helping with a local suicide prevention walk.  Owen exemplifies the characteristics of a model citizen through his academic performance, leadership, extracurricular activities and volunteer work.  

Hamden Middle School-
Charis Olaleye 

Charis Olaleye

Charis Olaleye is a top student at Hamden Middle School. Strongly devoted to her academics, Charis regularly brings intelligence and insight to her classes, whether it’s analyzing literature in English or solving equations in Math, Charis is always down for a challenge. Throughout the school year, Charis has showcased a willingness to engage within her community.  

She is a member of National Junior Honor Society, and has helped them raise money along and contributed to various community service projects for the HMS and Hamden community. She plays intramural volleyball and has also been a member of the Korean and Cross-Country clubs.  Charis has also proven herself to be a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing the violin for the school orchestra and the piano for her church. Charis is an incredible asset to the Hamden Middle School community; we have loved getting to know her this year.


Helen Street School-
Diana Cordon-Jimenez

Diana Cordon-Jimenez

Diana Cordon-Jimenez embodies all traits that are essential for success in school. She is an obvious choice to receive the CAPSS award for the 2022-2023 school year. Diana has been at Helen Street since Pre-K and has shown tremendous academic achievement during her time here. Diana is an avid reader and is often asking if she can bring multiple books home from our classroom library. Her intrinsic motivation and curiosity shine through in all that she does as she always completes assignments at a high level. In addition to excelling in her studies,

Diana is a wonderful friend. She is often the first one to welcome a new student to the class and is always willing to help out wherever needed. She happily assists a kindergarten classroom in the morning and is a role model for younger students, especially during book buddies. Diana is a member of the chorus and represented our school at the Townwide concert. Outside of school, Diana enjoys playing volleyball and drawing in her free time. She also enjoys cooking with her family and taking care of her baby brother. The future holds unlimited opportunities for a girl with unlimited potential! Congratulations, Diana!


Ridge Hill School-
Anaya Cotto 

Anaya Cotto

Anaya Cotto epitomizes what the CAPSS award stands for in every way. Academically, she puts forth an unrivaled level of effort across all subjects, resulting in grasping new concepts quickly, and is eager to share her discoveries and realizations with the rest of the class. Anaya is an extremely responsible student who can be counted on by both staff and peers to always make the right decision and help others regardless of the task.

Anaya has already earned distinction as one of our Students of the Month for this school year.  In addition, she is an active member of the school community, volunteering to help younger students during dismissal.  She has a keen ability to always follow the rules, and stick to expectations.  Anaya is a  quiet leader, and throughout her time at Ridge Hill,  she always shows hard work and dedication for doing the right thing 100% of the time. 
Anaya enjoys writing fantasy and romantic stories.  She’s an accomplished artist, who has had pieces displayed in the town art show.  For many years, Anaya graced the stage as a dancer.
 In short, Anaya is the type of student teachers can only dream of having, and one they never want to lose.


Shepherd Glen School- 
Nia Stokes

Nia Stokes

Nia Stokes is an indispensable member of our classroom community. Each day she comes to school prepared, focused, and driven. Nia is capable of achieving any task she sets her mind to. Not only does she continually exceed her academic goals, but she is socially graceful and responsible. Nia is always aware of her actions, kind to every classmate, and keeps their best interest at heart.

When issues arise in the classroom, Nia is one of the first students willing to help both teachers and students. She is reliable to assist with younger students in helping them meet their academic and social needs. She has also taken on a leadership role as a member of our Top Top Dog Committee. We are very proud of her continued success.


Spring Glen School-
Camille (Maren) Pittard  
Camille_Maren_Pittard

Camille (Maren) Pittard is a leader in the school community, as well as a high academic achiever. Camille is an extraordinary student with an inquisitive mind, an extremely talented writer, and can always be found with a book in her hand. Academically, Camille always produces high-quality work, seeks to challenge herself, and asks teachers for feedback on her work. She is consistently determined to be her best, and also pushes others to be their best selves as well. Camille is kind, respectful and always willing to help any peer or teacher, no matter the situation. She plays clarinet in the school band, but also knows how to play the cello and is also currently learning the ukulele.  
Camille is extremely passionate about helping the environment and doing anything to stop the effects of climate change. She organized a school-wide “Save the Trees” spirit day at our school, for which all the money collected was donated to the organization One Tree Planted, which helps to plant trees across the world. She is also a volunteer of our school’s “Green Team”, which is a food waste diversion program that supports recycling, composting, and food share initiatives.  
Camille is also very involved in the community outside of school as well.  She is an active member of her soccer, swimming, and tennis teams. In her free time, Camille also enjoys roller skating, skiing, and doing anything that allows her to be creative or artistic. Congratulations on this extremely well-deserved honor, Camille! 

Spring Glen School-
Ozzie (Oscar) Pitkin
Ozzie_Oscar_Pitkin

Oscar Pitkin is a highly talented and motivated student.  Creative by nature, Ozzie is a prolific writer with a voice beyond his years.  He is highly self-motivated and pushes himself to produce work of the highest quality each an every day.  He is inquisitive about life and thinks deeply about social issues. Ozzie has a wonderful sense of humor, is kind and caring,  Despite his many talents, Ozzie is uniquely humble. 

Extracurricularly, Ozzie is equally impressive.  He plays Babe Ruth baseball, Team Tugman Wrestling, City Climb rock climbing, and is involved with the Play More Chess Academy.  He volunteers for the school Rubic' Cube Club and participates in the after-school book club. 


West Woods School-
Lilianna Edouard 
Lilianna_Edouard

It is with great pleasure that I award the 2023 Hamden Public Schools CAPSS to Lilianna Edouard.  This young lady is worthy of this award for many reasons. First, she is conscientious and focused, always completing work on time and with the highest quality.  Next, she is a supportive and kind classmate often offering help or an encouraging word to someone in need.  I am also proud of Lilianna’s willingness to participate fully in community service at West Woods School.  

She is responsible and demonstrates integrity with every task she is assigned and also volunteers often to support her classmates and class in any way possible.  Lilianna is a student who can be trusted.  She conducts herself, at all times, with grace and confidence.  In conclusion, it has been a privilege to have Lilianna as a student.  Her smile and positivity are contagious and she has influenced our classroom community in a powerful and memorable way.