Politics & Government

Happy 66th, U.N.!

Also coming up: an underage drinking forum and the Kennedy Center unveils its new art calendar.

  • Prevention Starts Early: ’s sixth annual Underage Drinking Forum, “Choices Have Consequences” will be presented to all ninth-grade students and their parents/guardians on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Trumbull High School. This forum is a model that several other towns have replicated.

According to a press release, "reported underage drinking in Trumbull has decreased over the past few years, as shown in surveys conducted by the Trumbull Partnership Against Underage Drinking (TPAUD) in 2010. However, underage drinking remains a problem in our town, and the Forum organizers and TPAUD are committed to providing as much information as possible to students, parents, and the community.

"Innovative, comprehensive approaches to prevent underage drinking are showing success in reducing experimentation with alcohol. Forums like this, in addition to other community efforts by TPAUD and the anonymous tip line created by the Trumbull Police Department and funded by TPAUD are helping to reduce opportunities and community tolerance for underage drinking," said Trumbull Police Chief Thomas Kiely.

More than 1,000 students and their parents attend this event each year and learn about the psychological, emotional, social, and physical impacts of underage drinking and avoidance strategies that they can use. The forum also addresses Connecticut’s underage drinking law legislation passed in 2006 regarding parental responsibility, the Social Host Law, as it applies to alcohol consumption and misuse.

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This year’s speakers will include Dr. Gary Kaml, Chief of Trauma Surgery at St. Raphael’s Hospital, Trumbull Police Officer Tim Fedor, Attorney Jeffery Blueweiss, THS Crisis Intervention Specialist William Mecca, as well as past offenders and those sharing personal stories.

  • THS Celebrates the U.N.'s 66th Anniversary (Press release by Katie Boland, Advisor Model U.N. Club at Trumbull High School):

At 9 a.m. Oct. 24, the Trumbull High School Model United Nations club celebrated U.N. Day in a ceremony at Trumbull High School. This year’s theme was “A Celebration of Peace Keeping.” The program included a proclamation of the United Nations Day by Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, and a message from the UN Secretary General read out by Bill Haas, President of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) of Southwestern Connecticut.  In addition, Ms. Aye Aye Thant, President of the U Thant Institute and daughter of the former U.N. Secretary General U Thant, offered a message especially to the younger generation of working towards peace and unity not only for right now, but also for the future.

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Trumbull’s State Rep. Tony Hwang joined in on the celebration and said, “This event emphasizing peace is underscored by the impressive collection of high school leaders that reinforce that our future is in good hands. It should also be noted that teachers and administrators should be commended for providing such a encouraging environment to develop our future diplomats of peace and human understanding.” 

Ms. Katie Boland, advisor to the Model U.N. club at Trumbull High School, organized the event at the request from the UNA-USA Southwestern Connecticut chapter. This was the first time the United Nations Day was held in Trumbull.  Boland said, “it was an honor and a privilege to hold this special event in our beautiful new auditorium as it celebrates not only the 66 years of peace keeping through the United Nations, but also the success of the growing Model UN club at Trumbull High School.”

Jenn Bont, a senior at Trumbull High School and Vice President of the Model U.N. club said, “Being a member of Trumbull Model U.N. has given me some of the greatest experiences that I could ever imagine. Over the past few years in Model U.N., I’ve been to over eight conferences and I have never had a bad experience. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t joined Model U.N.”

The ceremony started with a procession of members from the Cultural Diversity Club at Trumbull who were all dressed in international clothing carrying signs of “Welcome” in various languages. The event also included musical selections from Trumbull High School’s Chamber Singers. Under the direction of Anne Tornillo, the singers sang three selections including an “International Hymn of Peace” and “Seasons of Love.”  At the end of the ceremony, Model U.N. seniors Gulrukh Haroon and Alexa Hiznay raised an official flag from the Untied Nations while the Chamber Singers sang “Armani,” which means peace.

Brandon Capece, a junior at Trumbull High School and President of the Model U.N. club spoke about the efforts of the United Nations during the ceremony in which he said, “We have a responsibility as members of the international community to help anyone in need. With the advancement of technology, we can no longer just turn a blind eye to the world. No longer can genocide exist without anyone noticing. No longer can there be discrimination that occurs without outcry from around the world.”

At the conclusion of the program, the guests were invited into the lobby for a reception and to visit the international display of items from around the world.  There was a Path of Peace Quilt in which the students could write a message of peace on it.

The quilt, created by Marilyn Cockring, has traveled all around the world. In addition, there were refreshments provided by Trumbull Community Women’s club and Trumbull’s Parent Teacher Student Association.

Mary Keane, a resident of Trumbull, said “It was a beautiful program and the youth were so engaged. It was such a great opportunity to see the talent of the students of the Model United Nations club and to hear their stories.” 

Boland remarked about her students, “The students at Trumbull High School not only believe in the power of peace and diplomacy, but they are working towards it at every club meeting, conference committee, position paper, and resolution they write for the Model United Nations club. These students are truly becoming our peaceful and global leaders of tomorrow.”

  • Kennedy Center To Unveil 2012 Calendar During Reception At City Hall Annex in Bridgeport: "A Unique Perspective" - the 2012 Kennedy Center's calendar - will be unveiled Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Gallery@999, on the second floor of City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St., Bridgeport, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend the calendar reception which features a light cocktail hour and awards presentation to the artists.

Advance reservations are necessary. Please call The Kennedy Center at 203-332-4535 and contact the operator.

According to a press release: "The calendar celebrates the potential of all people and chronicles a monthly celebration of talent and creativity bursting with color and vitality."

"Four sponsors have generously underwritten the cost of this beautiful, four-color calendar that raises needed funds for The Kennedy Center’s Expressive Arts Program."

People's United Community Foundation made the largest donation at the presidential sponsor level.  For more than 25 years, People’s United Bank has generously underwritten the calendar as its major sponsor. Last month, Armando F. Goncalves, President of People’s United Bank, Connecticut– South, and People’s United Bank, were recognized for their ongoing support of A Unique Perspective Calendar as Tribute Journal honorees at The Kennedy Center’s Four Seasons Ball. 

Other corporate sponsors include Merit Insurance of Bridgeport as sponsor of the month, and Maggie Daly of Fairfield, and Imperial Graphics of Stratford, both advocate sponsors.

"The calendar features the expressive, vibrant works of 14 Connecticut artists with disabilities and illustrates how people with disabilities can be productive, contributing members of their community.

"The calendar has been a wonderful showcase for The Kennedy Center, demonstrating the diverse range of abilities of people with disabilities as well as the breadth and depth of The Kennedy Center's services" said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO. "The support that People's United Bank and People’s United Community Foundation has afforded us over the years is invaluable and we are deeply appreciative of the role that they play in ensuring our continuing outreach."

Gallery@999 in Bridgeport City Hall Annex has been transformed into a massive art gallery representing over 50 Kennedy Center artists and more than 70 paintings. The artwork will be on display for public viewing until the end of January.

This exhibit will be part of Bridgeport’s third annual Art Trail, Nov. 10-13, with over 30 gallery receptions, open studios and performances scheduled.


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