Norwalk’s academic achievers cheered by BOE

By Nancy Guenther Chapman

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk’s Board of Education stood at attention Wednesday night, waiting to congratulate students. Finally, Isabelle Gourdet-Chavez accepted the invitation, striding up to shake the hands of board members.

Isabelle, a Brien McMahon High School student, was among 26 high school kids to be recognized for performing exceptionally well on the 2012 Connecticut Academic Performance Test.

Board members thought they should receive the same recognition athletic achievers do and invited them to the Dec. 18 meeting. That was also the same night as a “Candlelight” performance at Norwalk High School, preventing many of the students from attending, so the invitation was issued again.

With many parents and students watching in the audience, board members stood to honor the kids. BOE Secretary Heidi Keyes read off the names of five BMHS students before finding one in attendence. That preceded a parade of NHS kids.

Those who achieved the advanced level in mathematics, reading, writing and science subtests in the 2012 CAPT are:

Brien McMahon High School

• Nathaniel Boll
• Sarah Breault
• Ian Bryant-Smith
• Camilla Cunningham
• Snydie Geter
• Isabell Gourdet-Chavez
• Jonathon Gulemi
• Laura Linehan
• Emma Lipson
• Nicole Lue
• Nicolas Solano

Norwalk High School

• Skylar Buswell
• Jessie Caldwell
• Nathaniel Cutting
• Evan Czako
• Max Helfand
• Felicity Henson
• William Hessert
• Gavin Schuerch
• Lila Sferlazza
• Megan Viera