Waterford Students Recognized As Leaders By Connecticut Association of Boards of Education

As the school year winds down, particular students stand out. Four such students were honored recently by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education as winners of this year's student leadership awards. 

At Clark Lane Middle School, those students were Tierin-Rose Mandelburg and Nathaniel Austin-Mathley.

Tierin-Rose was described by Clark Lane Principal James Sachs as "a little girl with a big heart!

"Her entire life is shaped by concern for others," he said. Through her church, Tierin-Rose is involved with all kinds of charitable events, from donating Christmas presents to children in Haiti to making bows with her sister, that she sells online to raise money for schools in New York that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. At school, she educated her classmates about the horrors of puppy mills and serves as a Clark Lane Mentor. At the same time, she manages to find time to participate in dance 13 hours a week and serves as a Clark Lane Mentor. 

Nathaniel is a stellar student, Sachs said, but that wasn't why he was chosen for the award. It was his personal commitment to his family and to scouting that makes him stand out as a leader. He helps plan his family's annual reunions and considers genealogy his favorite hobby. But much of his life outside of school is devoted to scouting. He's a member of Waterford's troop 36 and is just two ranks shy of becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in scouting. 

The two Waterford High School students to receive CABE's leadership awards were Baird Welch-Collins and Susan Hage. 

Baird is a strong student and a young man of equally strong opinions—and he's not afraid to stand up for what he believes. High School Principal Don Macrino described his "very eclectic resume of extra-curricular interests" which include constructing a wind turbine and building a raft to sail on local rivers. 

Baird funds his projects by playing in a Celtic music group. He plays in the high school orchestra but taught himself to play mountain dulcimer, banjo, Irish Bouzouki, guitar, and fiddle. Inspired by Irish protest songs and Woody Guthrie's efforts to unionize migrant farm workers, Baird organized a protest against Stop & Shop's sale of Canadian seafood to rally people to "buy local." 

Waterford High School Senior Susan Hage is also an outspoken advocate for her classmates and active in politics. She's participated in class council since her freshman year, was elected treasurer in her junior year, and now serves on the executive board. She's organized class fundraisers and helped with a variety of initiatives. She is, Macrino said, "recognized as a leader amongst her peers."

Susan loves working with children and has been a volunteer for the elementary school summer program and at The Friendship School. She is a member of the Three Rivers College Career Pathways program and received an achievement award for the Early Childhood Education assessment exam. Susan is in the top 25 percent of her graduating class and plans to go on to UConn to study physical therapy.