The final Board of Education meeting of the school year for Regional School District 15 featured a plethora of student awards and high praise for their achievements inside and outside the classroom. Retiring staff were also recognized for their years of service to the school district.
The award-winning students and faculty are as followed:
2025 Western Connecticut Superintendent’s Awards:
Memorial Middle School: Carolina Keenaghan, Jackson Fernandez
Rochambeau Middle School: Morgan McCann, Samuel Labriola
Pomperaug High School: Alice Sugden, Dylan Duda
Pictured left to right: Jackson Fernandez, Carolina Keenaghan, Superintendent Joshua Smith, Samuel Labriola, Morgan McCann, Dylan Duda, Alice Sugden. (Region 15 photo)
2025 Litchfield County Superintendent’s Association Awards:
Memorial Middle School: Katelyn Michitsch, Naser Chaudhry
Rochambeau Middle School: Mia Thoennessen, Mason Reilly
Pomperaug High School: Tesu Beavers, Somya Nog
Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Outstanding Scholar-Leader Award:
Rochambeau Middle School: Gabriela Walsh, Zachary Schwartz
Memorial Middle School: Margaret Mottola, Anthony Buchsbaum
Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Student Leadership Award:
Rochambeau Middle School: Suzy Pavlock, Eli Price
Memorial Middle School: Sami Qurbani, Ruth Salsbury
Pomperaug High School: Anna Lowell, Henry Marks
CAS/CIAC Pomperaug High School Scholar-Athletes:
Lila Kania, Parsh Verma
2025 South-West Conference Scholar-Leader Award:
Fotini Anastasiadou, Brendan Fenn
Beau Doherty/Mike Savage Teammate Award:
Memorial Middle School: Armend Komoni, Lilyana Reed
Rochambeau Middle School: Patrick Swan, Ryan Ciccone
Pomperaug High School: Abigail Lutz, Samantha Evans
South-West Conference One Athlete-One Partner Leadership Award:
Bridget Moran, Jia Jang
2025 Rensselaer Medal:
Rori Grandieri
2025 HALO Awards:
The Pomperaug Theatre Company (PTC) was recognized for its outstanding Fall production, Teach Me How to Cry, and its spring musical, Shrek. The company earned top nominations, including Best Classical Play and Best Contemporary Musical Musical, and were nominated for 17 awards, taking home wins in five categories:
Sophia Ltaif – Student Direction for Teach Me How to Cry
Amanda Pistawka – Best Costume Design
Xavier Chu – Best Supporting Male Role in a Musical for his performance as Donkey in Shrek
Pomperaug High School Orchestra/Pit Band – Outstanding Orchestra for Shrek
Entire Cast & Crew of Teach Me How to Cry – The Fearless Award for excellence in tackling challenging material (special recognition to Sophia Ltaif for her leadership and vision).
Region 15 Retirements
The following certified staff members will retire this month:
Robert Coghlan, Special Education Teacher, Pomperaug High School – 24 years
Margaret Griffin, World Language Teacher, Pomperaug High School – 38 years
Gregory Kunz, Technology Education Teacher, Rochambeau Middle School – 26 years
Patricia Mete, Math Teacher, Pomperaug High School – 25 years
Edward Nyerick, Science Teacher, Pomperaug High School – 20 years
Patricia Wengler, Grade 4 Teacher, Middlebury Elementary School – 20 years
The following non-certified staff members will retire this month:
Thomas Woodin, Custodian I, Rochambeau Middle School – 43 years
Constance Yacavone, Library Technology Assistant, Pomperaug Elementary School – 19 years
Region 15 Paraeducator of the Year
Mercedes Deuth – Rochambeau Middle School
Region 15 Teacher of the Year
Geri-Ann Ristow – Rochambeau Middle School
2025 George Synnott High School Unified Coach of the Year Award
Stephanie Bregman – Pomperaug High School
The Southbury Record 