Date: Fri 19-Jun-1998

By Previous Employees

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

valedictorian-Oristaglio

Full Text:

Newtown's Top Student

(with cut)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

For Michael Oristaglio, Valedictorian at Newtown High School, it was the drama

club more than anything, that made his high school years so fulfilling. This

was not so much because of a love of acting, but rather, because of the sense

of family that grew out of working on plays.

When he was in the eighth grade Michael saw a high school production, and he

knew he wanted to work with talented people like that. He said "when I went to

the high school I was nervous about auditioning. I'd had no voice lessons; no

acting lessons; but luckily enough I made it."

Michael thought that the first part he took in a play was very fitting. He

said he played a small role, "a bratty annoying character," which he said

captured how he felt when he first joined the upperclassmen in the drama club.

The play was called Into the Woods , and Michael played Cinderella's prince's

steward, the one who carries around the glass slipper all the time.

Michael soon felt very connected to the school and the people there. He had

gained a sense of community from his involvement with the drama club.

He said "Spending so much time at rehearsals forces you to get to know each

other, to get a kind of family spirit. It was one of the best parts of high

school for me."

Michael did four other productions after that, and then helped put together

the playbills on three other productions.

Michael pointed out that the drama club is not an elitist group in any way. He

said "I think there is not a single person in the school who has not helped

out some way with the drama club. It's the whole school."

Next year Michael is going to Princeton, and he said "I'm definitely doing

drama there. He picked Princeton, at least in part, because of "The Triangle

Club," which he described as a musical comedy group. He said "they sing and

dance and make fools of themselves, all in good fun."

Michael's been in Newtown for seven years, which is his longest stay anywhere.

This summer, he wants to spend time with his friends. He wants to stay in

Newtown.

Michael said "I would like to thank all the teachers, friends and family

members and let them know I appreciate everything. You know, I don't want to

leave. I've had such a good time these last four years."

Charter Revision Commission Begins Planning For Upcoming Work

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 19-Jun-1998

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