June 22, 2022

Student Essay Contest Honors Wallingford History

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Wallingford’s 350^th +2 Jubilee has been the talk of the town for more than two years and despite the delay, State Representative Craig Fishbein (R-90) was going to make sure Wallingford’s youth received the recognition they deserved for researching and writing about their favorite local historical figure.

Two years ago, before the pandemic suspended the town’s 350^th Jubilee festivities, Rep. Fishbein sponsored a voluntary 400-500 word essay contest for Middle school students from both Dag Hammarskjold and James H. Moran Sr. Middle School on their “Favorite pre-1960 Wallingford Historical Figure, and Why?”

The winner – Luke Bobarsky, who wrote about Moses Yale Beach – was announced during the History Day Continental Breakfast at the Wallingford Historical Society on Monday, June 20^th. Rep. Fishbein read the winning essay to a crowd of more than 50 people gathered in front of the historical society building on Main Street.

In order to truly engage students with town history, Rep. Fishbein narrowed the theme to focus on Wallingford figures deceased prior to 1960. Essays were judged by each school’s administration based on form, style, research, grammar, and insight. From four finalists, the top essay was chosen by Rep. Fishbein.

“I encouraged middle school students to look back into our town’s diverse history and write about their favorite local figure with the winning essay to be read during the town-wide festivities,” Rep. Fishbein said. “There was no better place to introduce the finalists and announce the winner than during the History Day Continental Breakfast at the Historical Society. I’m proud of the work all of the students put into their entries.”

The four finalists:

Luke Bobarsky, who wrote about Moses Yale Beach.
Emilia R. Farrell, who wrote about John Brockett and Alfred L. Pierce.
Maritza Hernandez, who wrote about Lyman Hall.
Carter Lagasse, who wrote about Dr. Mark T. Sheehan.

The Wallingford Historical Society is located at 180 South Main Street, Wallingford.

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