District Awards
Each year the Seymour Public Schools receives and reviews nominations for the District Awards. Below you can find information regarding each award and prior recipients. If you would like to make a nomination for one or more of the awards click here to submit the nomination. Please note a previous recipient cannot be nominated again for the same award.
David A. Brumer Excellence in Education Award
To be given to an individual devoted to making the Seymour Schools the best that they can be, an individual who assists in the education of the children of the Town of Seymour in an outstanding and exemplary manner. This individual should be a resident of the Town of Seymour or any member of the staff employed by the Seymour Board of Education or a student in the Seymour Public Schools. This individual should share the ideals of David A. Brumer who valued community service and community participation in the Seymour Public Schools.
John J. Gallagher Memorial Athletic Award
To be given to an individual who has assisted in the support and development of athletics within the schools and the community-at-large. This individual should be a resident of the Town of Seymour or any member of the staff employed by the Seymour Board of Education or a student in the Seymour Public Schools.
Vincentena Kobasa Excellence in Teaching Award
To be given to an individual who is a retired teacher or a current teacher employed by the Seymour Board of Education who has displayed extraordinary efforts on behalf of students during his/her career, who has made a difference to his/her students and who values educational excellence. The individual shares the ideals of Vincentena Kobasa by displaying involvement in the entire school community and/or community outside of school.
Thomas J. Petruny Memorial Education and Environment Award
To be given to a Seymour Middle School student who has displayed a strong interest in environmental education and/or activities involving the environment and its preservation. This student must share the ideals of Thomas J. Petruny who valued environmental education, preservation of the environment and outdoor activities.
Previous Award Recipients
The David A. Brumer Excellence in Education Award was established during the 1999-2000 academic year in memory of Mr. Brumer. Mr. Brumer was a Seymour Board of Education Chairman from 1994 until his untimely passing in April, 1998. In his capacity as Board Chairman, Mr. Brumer showed his abilities as a visionary, a motivator, and an individual devoted to making the Seymour Schools the best that they possibly could be. During his short tenure, he established open communications with the Board of Education, procured more funding for operating the Seymour Schools, and brought the district into the world of educational technology. His involvement in all phases of the schools’ operations was endless. It is only fitting that this annual award be established and awarded in his memory. Former award winners are: Mark Brumer (2000), Robert Lang (2001), Karen Stanek (2002), Bryan Ryan (2003), William Pidlipchak (2004), Callah Sponheimer (2005), Hugo Trevelin (2006), John Conroy (2007), Jennifer Harkey (2008), Carrie Hunnicutt (2008), Jennifer Magri (2009), Joseph Teodosio (2009) Gina Wendland (2010), Ingrid Conland (2011) Mort Conlan (2011), Donald Smith (2012), Rich Kearns (2013), Peter Kubik (2014), Michael Kearney (2015), Ernie DiStasi (2016), Cynthia Dion (2017)
The John J. Gallagher Memorial Athletic Award was established during the 2000-2001 academic year by the Seymour Board of Education in memory of Mr. John Gallagher who was an avid supporter of Seymour High School’s athletic programming. Mr. Gallagher passed away in November 2000, one week after celebrating his 100th birthday. Up to his 99th year, he always attended Seymour High School’s athletic activities. In his memory, the Board of Education would like to honor an individual who is an avid supporter of the Seymour athletic programming. Former award winners are: Louis DeBarber (2001), Robert Lang (2002), Richard Yitts (2003), Patty Farrell (2004), Edward Eitzer (2005), Leslie Cole (2006), John Kassay (2007), Ray Necio (2008), James Garman (2009), Gary Freeman (2010), John Hummel (2011), Jay Gesek (2012), Paul Sponheimer (2013), Jamie Yakushewicz (2014), Missy Orosz (2015), Antonio Ciccone (2016), Joseph Carrafiello (2017)
The Vincentena Kobasa Excellence in Teaching Award was established by the Seymour Board of Education in the 2002-2003 academic year. Mrs. Kobasa was a retired Seymour teacher who served on the Board of Education. Mrs. Kobasa was a tireless individual who devoted much of her time in community service both in Seymour and other New Haven County Agencies. It is only fitting that this annual award be established in honor of her memory. Former award winners are: Addie Coppola (2003), Sheryl Rothman (2004), Judith Cweklinsky (2005), Patricia Sabatini (2006), Cathy Federowicz (2007), Deborah Baldarelli (2008), Basilla Stevens (2008), Caroline Sweeney (2008), Mary Deming (2009), Cheryl Welch (2010), Ernie DiStasi (2010), Heather Brown (2010), David Fleming (2011), Steve Tilki (2011), Shane Cather (2011), Michael Mila (2012), Lee Angelosek (2012), Stephanie Shelinsky (2012), Allison Cunningham (2013), Elaine Roche (2013), Bruce Deming (2014), Louellen Pagliaro (2015), Christine Kaszeta (2016), Christopher Cummings (2017)
The Thomas J. Petruny Memorial Education and Environment Award was established in 2010 in memory of Thomas J. Petruny who passed away on July 5, 2009 shortly after his retirement as Superintendent of Schools in Seymour. After growing up in Seymour and graduating from Seymour High School, Mr. Petruny taught middle school students and served as Assistant Principal in Monroe. In 1994, Mr. Petruny returned to Seymour to accept the position of Assistant Superintendent. He was subsequently appointed and served as Superintendent of Schools in Seymour until his retirement in 2007. Mr. Petruny was very interested in perseveration of the environment and was an avid outdoorsman. The Seymour Board of Education would like to honor a Middle School student who shares the ideals of Mr. Petruny who valued environmental education, preservation of the environment and outdoor activities. Past recipients are Sarah Cederbaum (2010), Marissa Esposito (2010), Rebecca Martin (2010), Dan Shibu (2011), Umma Minhaz (2012), Melanie Danka (2013), Samuel Bradshaw (2014), Kaelyn Brezina (2015), Zachary Goodrich (2016), Madelynn Orosz (2017)