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Congratulations were offered by teen librarians Lucretia Duwel, department head, and Diane Stackpole, with South End Community Center coordinator Ty Sims.
A partnership of South End Community Center and Teen Services on the event began 10 years ago and has grown to encompass almost 500 submissions from students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade in both public and private schools. A record number of entries were received this year, according to Duwel.
More than 25 teachers and their classes participated this year and many attended the library event along with several principals, community representatives and library board and town council members.
Audience members were not only treated to poetry, art and writings about a variety of personal, celebrity or fictional African-Americans, but also to several local heroes who inspired them to be the best that they can be. Dancers from the KP Dance School of Bridgeport also performed for the event. This year’s Black History Month contest winners were:
Elementary students: Sofia Calzone, Emilia Hevenstone and Scott Ezarik.
Sixth-grade and middle school: Alexis Aquilino, Adithya Prabakaran, Kristin Ruby, Peter Virgo, Ponce James, Julliette Masisco, Stephanie Carzalez, Rylee Henault, Amandine Sime, Abby Ligas, Kylie Lucifora, Natasha Mas, Katelyn Ferrari and Ramona Munsayac.
Honorable mention: Annie Rosen, Elle Medina, Julia Murphy, Angelyna Upchurch, Jackera Thompson, Edward Stead, Isabella Rivera, Elizabeth Frankel, Leila Celise, Georgia Grabowski, Sarah Sportini, Lucas Smith, Alicia Cook, Yasmine Kamel, Jessica Laszczak, Leann Vezina, Guiliana Bisogno, Isabella Taccogna, Isbelle Cola, Jakob Overby, Owen Ryder, Skyler Keleman, Niklil Shanker, Brady Knorr, Hailey McKane, Joey Merly, Ricardo Molina, Bridget Hewitt, Vanessa Smith, Sakura Stevens, Andy Illie, Ryan Allan and Amaya Nichols.
The Stratford Library for Teens will host its annual career program “What R U Doing After High School?” Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library’s Lovell Room.
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