New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Moms launch effort to show ‘love’ to graduating seniors
WEST HAVEN — First District Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie and three other West Haven High School moms have started an adopt-a-senior program, matching a senior with community member so the student can get recognition in this year when traditional graduation is lost.
“I’m just trying to send out some love,” said Hoskie, who brought the idea to the high school administration. “We want them to know we see them and that this has been a hard time. But it’s a big deal – a huge accomplishment to graduate from high school.”
Hoskie said the community so far has shown overwhelming support — some people offering to adopt more than one senior if needed.
There are no lofty expectations for the surprise, Hoskie said, noting it is whatever the person wants to do. She said it could be a graduation card, balloons, a candy basket, gift basket, Blue Devil decal, a flock your lawn flamingo surprise through Phil Liscio, dinner sent from a restaurant, a favorite book of yours, gift cards or even a 6-foot extension cord. Hoskie later added to the list of suggestions: fun face masks and anything else needed to keep safe while away from home.
Most importantly, Hoskie said, the program will give seniors a sweet memory, possibly a friend or an important future connection.
“The adopter may show up when it matters,” and could leave a lifelong impact, Hoskie said.
A male senior going into nursing got lucky when he was paired with Donna Rzasa, leader of the West Haven Elks . The club also adopted two seniors as an organization.
“It could have been simple, but when I found out I had a (future) nurse,
after COVID-19 this made me step it up a little,” Rzasa said. “Right now, our doctors and nurses are dying to save lives.”
Rzasa has for her adoptee: a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant, a nurse starter kit that includes a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, a bunch of snacks that teens like and some spending money.
“This is a wonderful thing the community can do to say, ‘We’re proud of you,’” she said. “Westies have always been known as being very caring, very generous.”
Board of Education chairwoman Cebi Waterfield received as her adoptee a girl who plays lacrosse like Caterfield’s daughters did and by no coincidence is the valedictorian of the high school’s class of 2020.
Waterfield, who calls the program “fabulous,” said it’s “pretty cool” she got valedictorian Chloe Hummel and will give her a basket of college memorabilia (Chloe will attend the University of Connecticut), snacks for her dorm and other “fun things.”
“Although we’re a city, we’re a very small town when it comes to taking care of our own,” Waterfield said.
Hoskie is coordinating the program along with Kim Kenny, Rose Cambino and Heather Shea.
“I’m just trying to send out some love. We want them to know we see them and that this has been a hard time. But it’s a big deal — a huge accomplishment to graduate from high school.”
First District Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie
It is being asked that adopters give seniors the surprise – whatever form it takes – by June 12, which would have been graduation day.
Shannon Bencivengo has a son on the list to be “adopted” and will adopt a senior herself.
“I think anything they can do for the seniors this year” is great, “because they’ve missed so much,” Bencivengo said.
There are 400 students in the class of 2020 and in order to have a senior adopted, parents must make a request through a Google document sent through email by the school. That is the preferred way, but parents also can email adoptawhhssenior2020@gmail.com or call Hoskie at 203-927-1537. Parents must submit a request by May 29.