The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
5th-grader elected as Connecticut’s Kid Governor
PORTLAND — Megan Kasperowski, from Brownstone Intermediate School, recently was elected by fifth-graders statewide as the 2018 Connecticut’s Kid Governor.
Megan’s platform, “Stronger Than Cancer: Lifting Spirits & Changing Lives,” focuses on helping people who have cancer and raising awareness of the disease, according to a press release.
Last week, Megan launched her statewide Stronger Than Cancer fundraiser, which will raise money to hire entertainers to visit and cheer up kids with cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Her goal is to raise $1,000 through school fundraisers and online donations, the release continued.
Her video and resources can be viewed at CT.KidGovernor.org.
Megan has spent several months planning this fundraiser and is eager to raise money to cheer up those suffering with cancer, according to the release. “No matter how big or small the amount, every penny helps. Remember everyone has a voice, and that together we are stronger than cancer,” she said in a prepared statement.
Schools were encouraged to hold Hat Day fundraisers May 18 during which every student or staff member who brought in $1 or more could wear a hat and receive an official Stronger Than Cancer wristband in June. A statewide Stronger Than Cancer Hat Day poster design contest was held to promote Hat Day and more than 60 students submitted designs, the release said.
The winning posters were created by Isabel Schiavo from Thomaston Center School in Thomaston (first), Emily Bernard from Brownstone Intermediate School (second) and Katie Laverty from Brownstone Intermediate School (third).
Community members can also donate to CTKG Megan’s fundraiser via the CTKG website or by texting CTKGMEGAN to 1-844-5447171. Already, $400 has been raised toward the $1,000 goal.
Schools must order their wristbands by Wednesday. Community members can continue to donate through the summer.
Kid Governor is a national award-winning civics program created by the Connecticut Public Affairs Network. It teaches fifthgrade students about state government, voting, and the importance of civic engagement through authentic statewide elections. Schools or districts interested in participating in the fall 2018 Statewide Election for the next CTKG can find more information at CT.KidGovernor.org or by following the program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CTKidGovernor.