Awards and Achievements

Community Member Contacted

Bob Brown:

• Created SHS's Wall of Honor in 2007

  • Wall of Honor recognizes alumni with notable achievements

• He taught social studies for 41 years in Southington

• Created three unique courses at SHS:

  • Modern Russia, American Culture, and the Middle East

• Speaking with him gave me firsthand insight on the wall's purpose, process, and impact.

• His input showed how it inspires students and builds community pride, enriching my project.

Existing Policies in Place

• Southington High School Profile (2024-2025): An official school document that includes academic and extracurricular accomplishments, but not widely known by students.

• Southington Public Schools Website: A credible district hub that features awards and staff recognitions but is not frequently visited by students.

• Wall of Honor: A permanent display recognizing outstanding alumni, prominently located near the auditorium. While new honorees are selected annually, the physical wall hasn't been updated since around 2015.

• Trophy Room: Showcases student achievements in clubs, athletics, and competitions (e.g., DECA, FBLA, Dance, Skills Olympics), but its impact is limited to those who visit in person.

• Yearbook: A reliable, student-produced record of school achievements and events. While valuable, it is only printed once a year and often archived rather than actively referenced.

• Student Observer Newspaper: A trusted local publication available online (e.g., via Yumpu) that documents important school milestones but may not reach all students or younger audiences.

My Policy Solution

To better celebrate Southington High School's 50th anniversary and preserve its legacy, we propose creating a Digital Legacy & Recognition Platform that consolidates school achievements, alumni honors, and historical milestones into one accessible, interactive website. This platform will work alongside existing resources (like the Wall of Honor and trophy room) but be updated regularly and available to all students, staff, alumni, and the community.

This policy also includes:

• Updating the Wall of Honor annually and digitizing its content with photos, biographies, and video interviews.

• Creating a virtual trophy case featuring club, sports, and academic accomplishments.

• Launching a "Then and Now" video series led by students, showcasing alumni stories and connecting generations.

• Promoting the site during school events, through QR codes, and in partnership with the district's social media and website.

Advantages

• Makes school history and student achievements more visible and accessible.

• Connects current students with alumni, building pride and tradition.

• Provides a long-term solution for preserving school milestones.

• Encourages community involvement and recognition.

• Allows ongoing updates without waiting for yearbook publication or physical space limits.

Disadvantages

• Initial cost and time investment to develop the digital platform.

• Requires a dedicated team or club (e.g., Student Council, Media Club) to maintain and update content.

• Older alumni may have limited digital access or skills.

• Some community members may prefer traditional displays and communication methods.

Support & Pushback

Support likely from:

• Students and alumni who want to celebrate their achievements.

• School administration and staff invested in preserving history.

• Clubs like Yearbook, DECA, and Media/AV interested in helping with production.

• Local businesses and community groups who may sponsor or be featured.

Pushback may come from:

• Budget-conscious stakeholders concerned about funding the platform.

• Staff already managing multiple responsibilities, hesitant to take on more.

• Some alumni or parents uncomfortable with a shift to digital-first recognition. 

Target Level of Government

This policy is primarily aimed at the local (school district) level:

• Southington Public Schools administration to approve, fund, and help oversee the platform.

• School Board to support and potentially vote on budget or policy updates.

• Town Council/community groups may provide support, sponsorship, or volunteers. 

Action Plan

1.Develop The Argument

✅Compile Research

• Gather data from the 2024-2025 Southington High School Profile, Southington Public Schools website, Wall of Honor, past yearbooks, the Southington Observer, and alumni records.

• Highlight lack of recent updates, low visibility, and the opportunity to modernize recognition.

✅Collect Testimonials/Interviews

• Interview alumni, students, and teachers about the importance of honoring school achievements and feeling connected to school history. 

• Record short quotes or videos sharing their personal connection to SHS.

✅Conduct a Survey

• Create a Google Form for current students and alumni asking:

  • How aware are you of Southington High's past achievements?

  • Would you visit or contribute to a digital platform?

  • What content would you like to see on it?

✅Create a Presentation

• Design a Google Slides presentation to share with administration, Student Council, and community groups summarizing: 

  • The problem

  • Research findings

  • Student/alumni feedback

  • Proposed platform plan

  • Benefits for the school community

✅Proof of Civil Action #1:

Survey + Testimonials/Interviews

2.Rally Support

✅Hold a Meeting with Influencers

• Meet with Student Council, National Honor Society, Yearbook Club, and Media Club to get student support and help.

• Request a meeting with the SHS principal and staff advisors to share the idea and ask for guidance or a pilot run.

✅Canvass with a Petition

• Start a digital petition (e.g., Change.org or Google Forms) to collect signatures from students, parents, and alumni who support creating a digital platform to celebrate SHS's 50-year legacy.

✅Launch a Letter/Email Campaign

• Ask teachers, students, and alumni to write short messages or emails to school administrators or the district board showing their support for the project.

✅Use a Social Media Strategy

• Create a campaign using the hashtag #SHSLegacy50, sharing weekly posts on SHS achievements, quotes from alumni, and project goals.

• Use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to reach students and alumni.

✅Proof of Civic Action #2:

Petition + Social Media Campaign

3.Lobby The Decision Maker

✅Hold a Meeting with a Decision Maker

• Request a formal meeting with the principal, SHS digital media manager, or school board representative.

• Present the research, survey results, testimonials, and proposal.

✅Send a Persuasive Email

• Summarize the case in a professional email with links to the presentation, testimonials, and survey data.

• Make a clear "ask" to fund and implement the digital platform or allow a student group to begin a pilot project.

✅Write a Report or Executive Summary

• Create a 1-page executive summary including:

  • Problem

  • Proposed solution

  • Research highlights

  • Community support

  • What's needed to move forward (budget, approval, staffing)