Hattie Wilczewski and Brett Hartmann, students at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, have been awarded the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents’ (CAPSS) Superintendent/Student Recognition Award for leadership service to the school, academic prowess relative to ability, and service to others in the community at a ceremony held Dec. 7, at Saybrook Point Inn.
Ian Neviaser, Superintendent of Schools of Regional School District 18, made the presentation as part of a program designed by school administrators to recognize students who have served their schools and communities while maintaining good scholastic progress.
The Superintendent/Student Recognition Program awards a Certificate of Excellence at the discretion of the local superintendent of schools according to a distribution formula set for all state school districts. Awards are generally given during American Education Week in November in order to provide a meaningful focus for each school district and to enhance the quality of the certificate.
Hattie Wilczewski is a natural leader; she is a bright, curious, and well-rounded student who is committed to excellence on all levels. She is self-directed and goal-oriented, combining rigorous academics with a great many extracurricular activities. A National Honor Society member and Saint Michael’s Book Award recipient, Wilczewski has consistently challenged herself with the strongest compilation of classes and has repeatedly been recognized with high honors and academic excellence awards.
She displays self- discipline and diligence when tackling difficult concepts in and out of the classroom. Her approach to learning, as it is with everything, is to invest 110 percent. This energy and dedication have resulted in the achievement of an overall 99 weighted grade point average.
Wilczewski is a leader in her school and community holding positions like President of the Community Service Club and the Liaison Officer to the Kiwanis Club. She is a contributing member of several other clubs, among them the Environment Club, the Spanish Club, and the Local History Club.
As a responsible and articulate student, Hattie also helps produce the high school news on the WLYM morning news program. You may also catch her giving a spirited ukulele performance at the Nightingale Café in Old Lyme.
Wilczewski invests the same energy to her athletics, not only rising through the ranks with Kempo karate and mixed martial arts but as a dedicated member of the highly successful crew team. She has earned the Most Improved Player Award, the Scholastic Athlete Award, and been a contributor to both State and National Championship Regattas. Overall, Wilczewski displays integrity, character, and perseverance.
Brett Hartmann is an accomplished student on every level and one of the strongest students who seeks the most rigorous challenges our school has to offer. A National Honor Society member, he has earned the prestigious Academic Letter and AP Scholar as well as numerous academic accolades.
Hartmann is one of the true student leaders in the school. He serves as a class officer and is an active member in many of our other student organizations. Without question, he is a “go-to” person who sees that things get done and done well. The entire Old Lyme community has benefitted from his drive and passion as he has served in many of the town’s events and programs.
As a two-sport athlete, Hartmann shines on the baseball diamond in the spring and was elected co-captain of the boys’ soccer team this fall.
Above all, he is a true gentleman who cares about others and works hard to make the school and community a better place.
The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents is the statewide school superintendents’ professional organization and based in West Hartford. It provides professional development, personal support, statewide conferences, legislative information and educational services to its membership.