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District Awards

Award History

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. Please note a previous recipient cannot be nominated again for the same award. 

SEYMOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEEKING AWARD NOMINATIONS

 

The Seymour Public Schools district is seeking award nominations for their annual awards.  Nominations are being accepted from March 25, 2024 through April 19, 2024. (Click Here to nominate)

 

Our district awards are:

Karen R. Stanek “Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat” Award

Eligibility: Current/former Seymour School students

Karen R. Stanek “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!” Award is to be given to a student attending Seymour High School, or a graduate of Seymour High School who has demonstrated his or her enthusiasm and pride for Seymour High School and the Community.  The individual should represent Seymour through involvement in academics, athletics, or volunteer service. The individual should be a model of leadership and teamwork advocating the Wildcat spirit embodied in the meaning of the slogan, “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!”

The Karen R. Stanek “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat” Award was established in 2023 in memory of Karen R. Stanek who passed away on March 8, 2019.  A graduate of Seymour High School, Mrs. Stanek returned to the High School to teach Social Studies for 35 years, including History, Government and Law courses.  She received the Seymour High School Distinguished Alumnus Award during the 2016 graduation ceremony.  Mrs. Stanek also received the David A. Brumer Excellence in Education Award in 2002 and the Vincentena Kobasa Excellence in Teaching Award posthumously in 2019.  She was involved in countless school activities as an advisor or coach including Student Council, the High School Mock Trial Team, and involving Veterans in the High School curriculum.  Mrs. Stanek was elected to 4 terms as a Selectwoman to serve the Community.  She also served on the Board of Ethics, Seymour Parade Committee, Commission on Aging, and many other committees.  Mrs. Stanek always encouraged her students to become active in their school and their community.  She lived by the slogan, “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!”.

David A. Brumer Excellence in Education Award

Eligibility: Current or former 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 award is to be given to an individual devoted to making the Seymour Schools the best that they can be, or 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 current or former 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. Individuals should share the ideals of David A. Brumer who valued community service and community participation in the Seymour Public Schools.

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.

John J. Gallagher Memorial Athletic Award

Eligibility: Current or former 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.

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 current or former 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.

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.

Vincentena Kobasa Excellence in Teaching Award

Eligibility: Current/Retired Seymour School Teacher

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 or community outside of school.

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.

Thomas J. Petruny Memorial Education and Environment Award

Eligibility: Current Seymour Middle School student

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.

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.

On June 3, 2024, the recipients will be presented with their award at the Annual Board of Education Awards Ceremony.

Please take the opportunity to honor those in our Seymour community who truly deserve recognition. Nominations close on April 19, 2024.