From the CTKG Cabinet: Meet Liliana!

Hi, my name is Liliana and I was a final candidate in the 2022 Connecticut’s Kid Governor election. I’m now a member of the 2023 Kid Governor’s Cabinet working with Kid Governor Ellie!

I ran on the platform that promotes the importance of literacy. I chose this issue because I know that a lot of people struggle with reading and there are a lot of ways that I can help make a difference. Reading is important because it has a big impact on your life. Reading helps you learn and understand things that you may not be able to experience physically.

My three-point platform is:

1) Create a YouTube channel of kids reading books so that those without access or with reading disabilities can access stories.

2) Have book drives to donate to different programs around Connecticut, as well as start little libraries where kids can take and give books.

3) Get book buddies in schools around Connecticut so that older students can help younger students with reading.

In January I was inaugurated as a Cabinet Member along with Ellie, our Kid Governor, and the other Cabinet Members. Our classes came to Inauguration Day at Connecticut's Old State House, and we had a lot of fun learning about government and playing games! Then, in February, we had our first Cabinet Meeting in the Kid Governor's Office at the Old State House, where we talked about our platforms and did an awesome scavenger hunt.

Since the Statewide Election, I have been busy getting to work! I have launched my R.E.A.D. campaign which stands for Read Enjoy And Donate. For my campaign, I have asked for people to donate children’s books that will be used for new little libraries in 2 elementary schools in my town of Milford. Many of the books are also being donated to New Haven Reads. As of today, I have collected more than 500 books!

During Read Across America Week, I will be guest reading in many classrooms in my town of Milford. I will be having a book drive in my school that week as well. If a student donates a book, they will get a sticker that says “I donated a book today!” and will be entered into a raffle!

I am also working with RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT to be a special guest at a book event for Connecticut schools with the author Katherine Applegate! I will be featured on Great Day Connecticut soon to talk about this event and my platform.

I will continue to work on my platform by creating a YouTube channel with me reading books and will continue to collect donated books. I would like to add more R.E.A.D. libraries in other schools around Connecticut, too!

If you would like to support my platform, you can donate books to be put into more R.E.A.D. libraries. You can also offer to read to younger students in your school or record yourself reading books to share with others! I would love to hear how you are helping improve literacy in your community. Email me at Cabinet@CT.KidGovernor.org to tell me about your work. You can also visit CT.KidGovernor.org/Cabinet2023 to read about the other members of the Kid Governor’s Cabinet.

Liliana Magazine

2023 Kid Governor's Cabinet 

Meadowside Elementary School      

Milford

From the CTKG Cabinet: Meet Scarlet!

Hi, my name is Scarlet Beaulieu and I was a final candidate in the 2022 Connecticut’s Kid Governor Statewide Election. I’m now a member of the 2023 Kid Governor's Cabinet working with Kid Governor Ellie!

I ran on a platform that addresses littering. I chose this issue because I see littering and pieces of litter on the ground every day in my community and many more communities. My three-point platform is:

1) Make a club that provides outreach to expand participation in litter cleanup.         

2) Create a network to educate people about littering and raise community awareness through virtual and physical materials.           

3) Organize a Connecticut Trash Walk Day for schools and communities along with other cleanup activities.

Since the Statewide Election, I have been organizing a community litter cleanup on Earth Day (April 22nd) where I and other people from the community will take groups of community members to different parts of my town, Andover, and clean up around that area. Three of the clean-up stations include Andover Beach Lake, the Andover Town Hall area, and the Andover Public Library area.

   

If you would like to support my platform, you can go on litter cleanups, organize school cleanup walks, or spread awareness through social media and fliers around your school!

I would love to hear how you are making a difference around littering in your own community. Email Cabinet@CT.KidGovernor.org to tell me all about it! You can also visit CT.KidGovernor.org/Cabinet2023 to read about the other members of the Kid Governor’s Cabinet.

Scarlet Beaulieu

2023 Kid Governor's Cabinet 

Andover Elementary School      

Andover

From the CTKG Cabinet: Meet Jacob!

Hi, my name is Jacob Garay. I’m a member of the 2023 Kid Governor's Cabinet! I live in Hartford and I go to school at CREC Discovery Academy in Wethersfield. My platform addresses bullying. I chose this issue because bullying is wrong. I believe that everyone should be treated equally, and not judged by their looks or their differences. My three-point platform will help with this issue. It is to: 

1. Create bullying prevention clubs in Connecticut schools.

2. Inform people about bullying and educate kids about picking the right friends.

3. Create buddy schools for students from different schools to form friendships.

Since the Statewide Election, I started my term at Inauguration Day. I also had my first Cabinet Meeting with Kid Governor Ellie and my fellow Cabinet Members. We did a scavenger hunt around Connecticut's Old State House and learned along the way about Connecticut's history! My favorite part was visiting Joseph Stweard's Museum of Curiosities. Lastly, I have been working on my platform by being an upstander in my community, in school meetings, with friends, and by making new friendships too. I always try to stand up against bullying when I see it happening at my school! 

Here are some ideas for ways kids can help stop bullying in their communities. I want to try some of these this year! What ways will you try? 

• Interview 5th graders about their feelings on bullying
• Make uplifting cards for people that are feeling down
• Start a club at your school about socializing and expressing yourself
• Write about bullying, and maybe even try to publish it! 

I would love to hear how you are making a difference in your community on the topic of bullying! Email Cabinet@CT.KidGovonor.org to tell me all about it. I hope you’re all making a difference in CT! 

Jacob Garay

2023 Kid Governor's Cabinet 

CREC Discovery Academy      

Hartford/Wethersfield   

Welcome To My Blog!

Hello, I am Ellie Mendez, the 2023 Connecticut's Kid Governor, and this is my first blog post!

I am so delighted to be your Kid Governor. Here is a little bit about me: I participate in gymnastics and soccer. I love playing with my puppy Dino! I like reading, math, and science. I like cheerleading, I like drawing or sketching, and I love hanging out with my friends and my family. My leadership qualities include being honest, driven for change, patient, loving, caring, and, last but not least, outgoing.

I ran for Kid Governor on my platform of Express and Address Your Feelings. I chose my platform because through my past experiences, I have learned that there haven't been enough resources for kids' mental health. I also chose this platform because some parents believe that the symptoms of anxiety and depression are just a phase and the child will get over it, or maybe that it is a behavioral disorder. But really, kids' mental health is real and very important. I want to help kids who don't have a voice and want to be heard but don't know how. 

I campaigned on a three-point platform: 

1. Promote strategies for Connecticut 5th graders to communicate their feelings.

2. Educate students about the signs of anxiety and depression and strategies to cope with those feelings.

3. Create a digital mental health hub with uplifting messages and interactive resources to inspire kids.

As Kid Governor, I will also work with my Cabinet. My Cabinet includes the other 6 finalists from the Kid Governor election, and they will also be writing blog posts this year too! I hope you also will take time to learn about my Cabinet members and their platforms, which are very important. I am so excited to start my term as the 2023 Kid Governor, and I am looking forward to working with my Cabinet members and with the 5th graders of Connecticut. Together we can make a difference for kids who have anxiety and depression! 

I want to hear from my constituents! If you are making a difference in your community, whether you are spreading kindness to kids who have anxiety or depression or doing anything else to help, please email me at Ellie@CT.KidGovernor.org. You can also reach out to my Cabinet at Cabinet@CT.KidGovernor.org.

That is all for now! Make sure you stay tuned for more blog posts from me or my Cabinet!

Elisavet "Ellie" Mendez
2023 Kid Governor 
Monroe Elementary School
Monroe