Rep. Zupkus presents citation to winners of sixth-grade essay contest in Cheshire

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, I’d like to say congratulations to Julia Ann Peragallo and Corinne Gleason who are 6th-grade students at Highland Elementary School in Cheshire and are the winners of an essay contest sponsored by a bi-partisan group of legislators! These students and their essays are an inspiration for all of us.

The topic for the contest was “How a Connecticut Woman Made a Contribution to the State and/or Nation and How it Influenced Me.”

Julia wrote about Jennifer Stango Garzone, the first female in Connecticut to coach a high school football team. Garzone, pictured below, joined us today for the presentation of a state citation to Julia in recognition of her work.

“This woman wants to change the future and see girls playing football if they want to and getting the chance that she never got when she was young,” Julia wrote of Garzone. “Through her love for the sport, she inspires young women to dream big and never give up.”

Corinne is shown with her father Ryan Gleason

And Corinne composed an essay about Harriet Beecher Stowe, a Connecticut resident and author, who wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which detailed the conditions faced by slaves in the 1800s.

“Stowe was really brave to stand up for her beliefs,” Corinne wrote in her essay. “Harriet Beecher Stowe stood up for what she thought was right, which in my opinion, is one of the biggest accomplishments you can ever achieve.”