Norwich Tech Talk: Tech Student Receives $2,500 Scholarship

Andrew Dossat, son of Norwich Technical High School Student Services secretary Mary Dossat, received a $2,500 Chet Advance scholarship. The Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office chose 200 out of 2,500 applicants from the five Connecticut districts to help students pay for college. Andrew received a certificate from the state treasurer at a dinner at the Hartford Legislative Office Building. Andrew plans to attend Three Rivers College this fall.

“Norwich Tech has taught me a lot and prepared me for my life after school and a trade,” he said.

Spirit Week
The “change (coins) wars” in the cafeteria, during Spirit Week, raised $173.77. A check was written and sent to the Foundation at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for $175. Last year the “change wars” sent a $75 check to the March of Dimes.

Biotechnology shop receives grant
Norwich Tech’s Biotechnology Department was awarded a grant from Van Waters & Rogers International Foundation to fund their participation in the Small World Initiative. VWR has more than 8,000 associates in 35 countries and their global footprint continues to expand. Their mission is to enable the advancement of science.

Small World Initiative is taught internationally at colleges and high schools, and teaches basic concepts in biology through authentic research projects addressing the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. Students isolate microbes from soil samples and screen them against a panel of bacteria that are safe relatives of human pathogens. The Biotech sophomores are participating in the SWI and hope to contribute to finding the next new antibiotic.

Food for Thought Club
Some clubs are helping the community. Food For Thought Club is sponsored by special education teachers Sarah Minei and Lynn Watrous. Ninth grade students Vidianny Vera, Aleysha Cartegena Quinones, and Alexis Rodriguez made dough and rolled 200 rolls for St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen as part of their club activity.

“Food for Thought is not my club, but the thought of helping people in the shelter shows I am capable of coming out of my comfort zone and helping. I volunteered because I have empathy for them and like to help,” Vera said.

Accepting new and gently used coats, please contact Sarah Minei at (860) 892-2158 for donations.

Interact Club
Interact Club with Norwich Rotary will have a Food Drive Jan. 9-20. Nonperishable items will be accepted. Contact sponsors Jaime Miller and Amanda Pearson at (860) 892-2114.

Patricia Luca is the Language Support teacher at Norwich Technical High School.