Spreading Pride: Ella’s Guide to Starting a Pride-Hope-Love Club in Your Elementary School
As a part of her three point plan of action, CTKG Ella set out to create a guide to help students start Pride-Hope-Love Clubs in their elementary schools. This guide provides resources and a step-by-step guide to help students create a club that meets their school’s needs.View CTKG Ella’s guide HERE.
Spreading Love: CT Family Day Poster Contest
During her term, Ella teamed up with the Department of Children and Families for a poster contest. Fifth graders across the state were asked to create posters showing what Pride-Hope-Love means to their families for CT Family Day. Ella and her Cabinet selected 13 finalists for the contest and Thomas Stout of CREC Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary School was selected as the contest winner. Learn more about CTKG Ella’s poster contest HERE.
Spreading Hope: Webinar for Educators on Supporting LGBTQ+ youth
In May 2019, CTKG Ella partnered with Sarah Free, a professional teacher trainer, and East Hartford High School student Luis Cruz for a webinar hosted by the State Department of Education. This webinar has been watched by educators all over the United States and offers resources and skills for teachers to best support students in the LGBTQ+ community.
Watch the webinar HERE.
Cabinet Meetings at Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford
Throughout the year, CTKG Ella met with members of her Cabinet. During their June 8th meeting, the Cabinet held a collection drive for non-perishable food items and toiletries to support the platforms of Melody (Food for All), Eva (Helping Children in Poverty), and Reilly (Supporting Foster Children). Hayden was also able to collect signatures of visitors interested in cutting back their electronic usage.
Library Circuit 2019
During Fall 2019, CTKG Ella hit the road for the annual Connecticut’s Kid Governor Library Circuit. Over the course of three dates, Ella visited five libraries: Raymond Library in East Hartford, Russell Library in Middletown, Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester, Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury, and Fairfield Public Library in Fairfield.
Watch the live streams for the Library Circuit stops below.
- Raymond Library in East Hartford
- Russell Library in Middletown
- Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester
- Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury
- Fairfield Public Library in Fairfield
True Colors Conference
On March 22, 2019, CTKG Ella spoke to thousands of students at the True Colors conference at the University of Connecticut. Ella share her Pride-Hope-Love platform and met with community members.
CTKG Ella Visits Sunset Ridge School in East Hartford
In Spring 2019, Ella visited Sunset Ridge School in East Hartford to speak with their student ambassadors. Students in grades 6-8 shared their experiences as a part of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The students asked Ella questions about her platform and what it is like to be Connecticut’s Kid Governor.
Interview with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
During her term, Ella met with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal in her office at Connecticut’s Old State House. Ella was able to ask Senator Blumenthal about what it is like to be a senator, bills he is currently supporting and more. You can watch the interview HERE.
CWEALF One Woman Makes a Difference Awards Dinner
On October 1st, CTKG Ella was honored at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fun’s One Woman Makes a Difference Annual Awards Dinner. Ella was named a 2019 Maria Miller Stewart Awardee along with Michelle Duprey, Glynda C. Carr, and Dantaya Williams.
Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Award
On November 21st, CTKG Ella was awarded the Future Leader Award by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. This award recognizes a Connecticut youth who has focused on civil rights law enforcement, advocacy, and/or education.