The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
A trail of their own
Students recognized for completing nature project
TORRINGTON — Torrington students were recognized for their efforts to complete a nature trail at the middle school Monday afternoon, and the students took their first walk on the newly established path through the woods.
Charles Conklin, Jhared Figaro, Monty Monterio, Landon Perry and Exsavier Sanchez were celebrated Monday when trail was officially opened to the school community and local residents.
The nature trail was first envisioned in the 1990s and constructed in 2004, according to the district. Landon and Charles , in the sixth and seventh grade, respectively, said they had helped Terry Ruwet, a Torrington Middle School substitute teacher, clear and prepare the trail for the public. The work included cutting down trees, making benches and laying down wood chips, they said.
“It was really fun to do, so I hope everyone who comes down here really enjoys it,” Landon said. “I like nature personally, and coming out, being able to work, and have people be able to enjoy the area, it seems like it’s very nice.”
The work helped Landon settle into life at Torrington Middle School, said his mother, Randie . He had struggled transitioning from Vogel-Wetmore to TMS, she said — he didn’t feel like he fit in.
“When they came up with this nature trail — for a couple of the boys to come together as a unit, to build skills, to make friends and peer-on-peer relations, I was all for it, especially because of how he felt. It was very important for him to feel like he had a place (somewhere),” said Randie Perry. “Every day he did this, he would come home with some sort of (excited) statement, saying how much fun he had or what he had done that day . ... I’m just proud he’s gotten this far.”
She said Landon’s grades have improved, and his father, George Perry, said Landon made friends in the process. Randie Perry said she was glad the school offered opportunities like this — that type of program wasn’t around when she went to TMS.
“To offer programs for kids who don’t feel like they meet the criteria of other students gives them an awareness that they are worth it, and they are able to grow and to be better. So it’s positive,” said Randie Perry.
Charles, Jhared, Monty and Landon received certificates of appreciation Friday from Clemons. Exsavier , now a student at Torrington High School, and Ruwet were not in attendance.
Monty said he was pleased to see people enjoying the trail, while Jhared said he enjoyed the effort — it took a lot of hard work, and the group ate lunch together each Wednesday.
“(It’s) really cool,” said Monty . “Really great to see people liking it.”
Certificates also were prepared for Rick Fasciano, Daniel Gervais Jr., Jespersen Landscaping, David Bascetta, Mark Burke, and Kenny Thomas for their help with the project. Torrington Middle School teachers and staff also raised money for signs and to help with the maintenance of the trail, sixthgrade language arts teacher Leanne Maguire said.
“Through everyone’s cooperative efforts, students and staff at TMS will be able to explore and learn in the beauty of a natural outdoor setting for years to come,” said Maguire.