397 Clearview Avenue

Torrington, CT 06790
OWTS ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
Spring 2019 — Ambassadors for the Trades

2018 Sports Updates

OWTS Boys Soccer, Girls
Basketball and Softball Teams
qualified for State Tournament.
2017 and 2018
OWTS Awarded the
Michaels Achievement Cup for
outstanding student–athlete
development.
Boys Volleyball won
Connecticut Association of Ath-
letic Directors Sportsmanship
Award.
Golf Team wins the Connecticut
Technical Conference
Championship.
Angel Lopez made the All-State
Team for Boys Volleyball.
The Satisfaction of Working in the Trades
Let’s be honest, there’s a reason work- dren’s talents; to recognize mechanical
ing in the trades is not appealing to young ability and inquisitive minds. TV shows
adults. Working outside in the heat, rain or such as “How It’s Made” and “This Old
cold has its drawbacks. Additionally it’s House” can initiate an interest in the vo-
hard physical work, far different from a cation. We need to be ambassadors for
desk job. the opportunities available at OWTS.
However, if you work in the trades you
know the positives outweigh the negatives.
You get satisfaction from building a new
home or making renovations, joy from fac-
ing a problem and figuring out a solution,
and contentment from a productive day’s
work. While others hurry to gym member-
ships, you’ve had your workout and got paid
for it.
Our challenge as Alumni is to expose
young teens to the career choices and ben-
efits of working in the trades. There are
numerous financially rewarding opportuni-
ties in Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Ma-
chine Tool and Auto Repair. OWTS does an
admirable job introducing Juniors and Sen-
iors to “Work Based Learning”. Our chal-
lenge is to expose 6th, 7th and 8th graders
to these career opportunities.
Business owners need to be involved in
the community and expose young people to
a variety of working environments. Encour-
age employees to bring their children to
work and encourage tours of their facilities.
As parents we need to identify our chil- The satisfaction of working in the trades

76th Alumni Scholarship Dinner — Wed, April 24th at 5:00

We are the oldest, most active Alumni
Association in the state vocational system.
Please join us at this event which recogniz-
es our school, its staff and students, foster-
ing the value of vocational education.
Once again enjoy a dinner prepared by
Oliver Wolcott Culinary students. The menu
will include shaved steak and chicken cor-
don blue.
Our dinner will be on Wednesday, April
24th at the OWTS Cafeteria with doors
Golf Team opening at 5:00, dinner will be served at
Technical Conference Championship 6:00 . Enjoy an evening with friends, shar-
ing memories and keeping up with school
updates. We hope to see you there.
Dinner tickets are $25.00. Tickets may
be purchased by calling Dawn Dell’Agnese
at 860-482-1498 or any member of the
Board. We also have a PayPal account for
web based ticket sales and donations.
PayPal: owtsalumni@yahoo.com
or call
Dawn Dell’Agnese at 860-482-1498
Page 2 OWTS ALUMNI

Lasting Memories — Consider Funding a Scholarship

William Baldwin— OWTS Class of ‘81
Torrington Police Chief
December 3, 2018
OWTS Alumni Golf Outing
Saturday June 29th at 11:00 AM
Fairview Farms in Harwinton
Ruth Simoncelli: 860-496-5316
M. Eucalitto: mark280zx@msn.com
$150 Includes Lunch, Golf, Dinner
Scholarships and Awards — June 2018 Recipient Attending
Alumni Association Scholarship Millicent Dito Castleton University
Alumni Association Scholarship Madeline Boutot Northwestern CT CC
Alumni Association Scholarship Samantha Perez UConn
Anthony Arnista Memorial Scholarship Jacob Knight UConn
Ashlee Jacquier Memorial Scholarship Sandy Borja Univ. of New Haven
Ashlee Jacquier Memorial Scholarship Caitlyn Malenfant Uconn
Alumni Athletic Trophy — Female Sports Abigail Hanlon Sportsman Trophy
Alumni Athletic Trophy — Male Sports Frandy Rodriguez Sportsman Trophy
Dominic Gallo Memorial Scholarship Matthew Terwilleger
Edward C. Amejko Memorial Scholarship Alicia Winn Western CT State Univ.
Edward Hughes Memorial Scholarship Jaclyn Richardson
Eric Robbins Memorial Scholarship Jordan Figueroa CT Aerospace Tech.
Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Amanda Yarrison
Fossati Family Memorial Courtney Picz Springfield College
Gemma DiMauro Tradesman Award Alexander Beltre Tradesman Award
Howard Hughes Memorial Scholarship Brooke Tomascak Western CT State Univ.
James Petit Hayley Joyce Post University
Jeff Arigoni Memorial Scholarship Daron Colgan Culinary Ins. of America
Joseph L. Morro Memorial Scholarship Angela Fretto Univ. of Hartford
Jules Mazini Memorial Scholarship Ashlynn Royer Dutchess CC
Kim Deep Athletic Memorial Nicholas Buonocore Univ of South Carolina
Martigneni Family Memorial Brandon Herman University of Hartford
Mary C. Richardone Memorial Award Serena Swiderski Culinary Ins. Of America
Mary C. Richardone Memorial Award Bibi Darwish Emmanuel College
Michael Bakunis Memorial Scholarship Kaitlyn Weaver Northwestern CT CC
Michael Butler Memorial Award Brian Hepp Tradesman Award
Nicholas Marracino, Sr. Memorial Award Trevor Doll Tradesman Award
Nicholas/Nejaime Memorial Scholarship Sierra McILwain Central CT State Univ.
Paul S. Durstin Memorial Scholarship Cody Whittemore Central CT State Univ.
Piemontese Society Scholarship Tricia Campanelli Western CT State Univ.
Tom Matulis Memorial Award Max Keller Northwestern CT CC
Tom Olson Tradesman Award Peyton Rogozinski Porter and Chester Ins.
Torrington Small Contractors Award Rebecca Green Tradesman Award
Valley Park Athletic Club Award Abigail Hanlon Western NE Univ.
Victor Corsi Memorial Scholarship Nicholas Pollutro Northwestern CT CC.
William E. Kelvie Valedictorian Trophy Caitlyn Malenfant UConn
William F. Schultz Memorial Award Connor Quinn Tradesman Award

Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Alumni Association is continually Dawn Dell’Agnese Treasurer 482-1498
seeking new members to keep our organiza- Jason Woodward Recording Sec. 482-7561
tion vibrant and growing. Fresh ideas and Jim Morro Executive Sec. 489-3993
new faces are always welcome. Get involved Gary Kittredge Asst. Exe. Sec. 307-2004
with scholarship funding, reunions and Mike Novajasky Dbase Admin.
John Dell’Agnese
school activities. Last year’s activities in- Member 482-1498
cluded a November Pasta Dinner, our Alum- Kurt Olson Member 307-5585
ni Dinner in April and the May Scholarship David Bodley Member
Ceremony for graduating seniors. John Christensen Member
Leo Martigneni Member
Amy Pozzo President 601-1036 Todd Speaker Member
David Garcia 1st VP 496-5300 Ethan Walker Member
Kerri Barrett (‘01) and Lori Lataif Tim Riccucci 2nd VP 309-9211 Peter Cianciolo Member
Richnavsky (‘79) at Strands Studio Nicole Dell’Agnese 3rd VP Mark Jacquemin Member
397 Clearview Avenue Page 3

A New Generation of Success

Most, if not all of the advertisers in this
newsletter are Alumni, or have ties to our
school. Look hard enough as you drive
through the area and you will see work vehi-
cles, storefronts and garages with origins to
OWTS. Successful businesses of all sizes
got their start with a technical education. In
this issue we chose to highlight some of our
younger graduates and their successful ca-
reer paths.
Spencer Cianciolo, Computer Aided Draft-
ing graduate, class of 2015 is achieving nu-
merous accolades in manufacturing. Spen-
cer is presently working as a Quality Engi-
neer at JF Fredericks Aerospace in Farming-
ton. Per Department Head Ray Tanguay, he
was driven to succeed. Spencer at the age
of 18 purchased his first home and is well
on his way to a promising career. He is also
a volunteer with the Winsted Fire Depart-
ment.
Ms. Seizer, Cosmetology Department
head was proud to recognize Kerri Barrett
(‘01) as a successful hairdressing graduate.
Kerri is presently working at Strands Hair
Salon on East Main Street, as a contract
stylists with Lori Lataif Richnavsky (‘79) an-
other successful OWTS graduate.
Tim Riccucci (‘02) after graduating from
Tech, started T & A Industries. Tim and his
brother Anthony (‘06) own a home improve-
ment business serving the local community.
OWTS is proud of our young generation of
successes.

Torrington Police Chief— Bill Baldwin

Recently the Torrington Police depart-
ment selected Bill Baldwin, OWTS class of
1981, as the new Chief of Police. Chief
Baldwin is a graduate of drafting and alt-
hough he did not choose that career path,
he credits dedicated teachers that truly took
an interest in his critical teenage character
development. Late in his career, Bill went
on to earn his Masters Degree from the Uni-
versity of New Haven in Emergency Manage-
ment. In 1983 Chief Baldwin started as a
Torrington Police Officer. He went onto a
successful career, serving 32 years with the
Pete Cianciolo (‘85) with his son,
Connecticut State Police. Bill and his wife Spencer (‘15)
Susan have three sons, two of which gradu- Volunteer for Winsted Fire Dept.
ated from Oliver Wolcott. David is a plumb-
ing contractor in Los Angeles and his son
Nick is currently serving in the US Marine
Corps at the Pentagon.
Bill was proud to acknowledge fellow po- OWTS Calendar of Events
lice officers with ties to OWTS. Deputy Po- Pasta Dinner — November 29, 2018
lice Chief, Chris Smedick (‘81) recently re- Alumni Dinner — April 24, 2019
tired after 36 years with the force. Captain Scholarship Awards— May 16, 2019
Wayne Newkirk, (‘83) has been serving as Senior Graduation—June 19, 2019
Captain of the Police Department for 25
years. Congratulations Chief Baldwin!

Alumni of the Year — Elaine Murphy

We are proud to announce Elaine Carlson OWTS Alumni of the Year
Murphy as this years Alumni of the Year. 1998 Anthony Arnista Machine 42
Elaine is a loyal supporter of the Alumni and 1999 Erman Cavagnero Drafting 41
a consistent contributor for alumni activi- 2000 Raymond Turri Electrical 60
ties. For 29 years Elaine was the owner of 2001 Dave Reynolds Drafting 57
Elaine’s Shear Skinsanity. Simplifying her 2002 Jim Morro Electrical 62
life, a few years ago she became a contract 2003 David Bodley Auto 57
stylist at Shear Bliss Hair Salon, 267 Spiel- 2005 John Christensen Machine 62
man Highway in Burlington. Per an interview 2006 Raymond Royals Auto 76
with a recent customer, “she’s a passionate 2008 Lynn Seiser Hairdressing 74
perfectionist in the cosmetology profession”. 2009 Mike Durstin Machine 62
Elaine and her husband Bob have 5 chil- 2010 Greg Mele Electrical 76
dren. She is actively involved with the Cath- 2012 Barry Cone HVAC 71
olic Charities Advisory Board (20 yr.), the 2013 Pleshette Markel Health Tech 82
Bakerville Library (7 yr.) and current Presi- 2014 Brian Ohler Machine 02
dent of Brodie Park Inc. Elaine is particular- 2015 David Canty Tool & Die 73
ly proud of supporting the Kid’sPlay Muse- 2016 Glenn Royals Auto 73
um with fund raising for the Literacy Tree 2017 Gary Kittredge Drafting 74
House. Congratulations Elaine, on being se- 2018 John Dell’Agnese Electronics 84 Elaine Murphy Class of 1978
lected for Community and Alumni support. 2019 Elaine Murphy Hairdressing 78 2019 Alumni of the Year
OWTS ALUMNI
Oliver Wolcott Alumni Association
397 Clearview Avenue
Torrington, CT 06790

Keep in Touch
Send us your email address.
Phone: 860-482-1498
Email: owtsalumni@yahoo.com
Facebook: Oliver Wolcott Tech Alumni

WE’RE ON THE WEB

WO L C O T T . C T T E C H . O RG

The Alumni Association counts on your support. —— Support our Troops and Veterans.

Call Oliver Wolcott Culinary for Lunches and Catering Service

Oliver’s Restaurant Serving Lunches - Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 to 12:15 — Phone: 860-496-5370

Alumni Dinner prepared by Culinary Arts Students under the direction of Chef Michael McDowell and Chef Edward Dwyer

OWTS 76th Alumni Scholarship Dinner

Wednesday April 24, 2019
Doors open at 5:00 — Dinner at 6:00

Garden Salad
Shaved Steak
Chicken Cordon Blue
Green Bean Almandine
Mashed Potatoes
Dessert w/Coffee and Punch

Support the Alumni Tickets are $25.00

Deadline for Reservations PayPal: owtsalumni@yahoo.com or call
Friday, April 5th Dawn Dell’Agnese at 860-482-1498
All Alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend an Alumni Meeting immediately following the dinner.

Professionally printed by OWTS Graphics Department