Voice4Change Awards $240K to CTECS; Student Projects Funded

In a first-of-its-kind statewide civic engagement initiative, Voice4Change empowered high school students to propose and vote on how more than $1.5 million in federal relief funds would be invested to reimagine Connecticut’s schools. Students submitted proposals to the State Department of Education outlining how they would spend $20,000 in their school. On March 8, 2022, Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, State Department of Education Commissioner, announced 12 CTECS locations had winning proposals!

Below is a list of the CTECS school proposals that were chosen:

A.I Prince Technical High School: Prince’s Comfort Zone
This proposal will promote social-emotional well-being by providing a space for students to take a break from academics and participate in alternative activities to destress.

Bullard-Havens Technical High School: Healthy Eating for the Hungry
This proposal will bring a greenhouse to Bullard-Havens to promote healthy eating, bring members of the community together, and provide hands-on experience growing produce.

E.C. Goodwin Technical High School: Project AVR
This proposal will create an afterschool virtual reality opportunity for students with a focus on improving mental and behavioral health.

Ella T. Grasso Technical High School: Student Wellness Center
This proposal will provide a Wellness Center for students to obtain emotional and academic support. The space will also be a hub for afterschool activities to promote community building.

Emmett O’Brien Technical High School: Courtyard Recreations
This proposal will improve the courtyard area to serve as a space to safely hold school events and bring the community together, as well as a possible space for lunch or studying.

H.C. Wilcox Technical High School: M&M (Manufacturing Materials)
This proposal will purchase materials to enhance the manufacturing program.

Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School: Greenhouse for Good
This proposal will institute a greenhouse to promote student enrichment and hands-on learning while improving school climate and teaching students important life skills.

Henry Abbott Technical High School: Improving Community Members’ Lives via Career-STEM Connections
This program will create project-based afterschool programming researching biomedical engineering and air quality.

Howell Cheney Technical High School: Healthy Spaces in School
This program will create safe spaces that promote mental health while also bringing awareness to the cause throughout the school.

J.M. Wright Technical High School: FOOD to BOOST Your MOOD
This proposal will institute a schoolwide initiative promoting healthy eating to improve overall community well-being.

Norwich Technical High School: NT Community Comeback
This proposal will build stronger school community relationships through events that engage students, school staff, families, and the wider community.

Oliver Wolcott Technical High School: Wildcat Recharge
This proposal will bring workspaces to the school that are equipped with charging stations, including an outdoor space.

Download the full list of winning Voice4Change Proposals (.pdf)