San Miguel Academy Students Bring Home Multiple Medals from Mohawk Meltdown Rowing Competition
San Miguel Academy students traveled to Niskayuna, NY, to compete in the Mohawk Meltdown, an annual indoor rowing competition sponsored by Niskayuna Rowing. Now in its 11th year, the event brings together young rowers from across the region for a day of spirited competition.
San Miguel Academy had an outstanding showing, bringing 50 student-athletes to the event and earning multiple podium finishes. Medal winners included:
Lizbeth Morales – 1st place, 6th grade girls
Liam Cabrera – 1st place, 6th grade boys
Lionel Mancilla – 1st place, 7th grade boys
Liam Gunera – 2nd place, 6th grade boys
Ayden Castelan – 2nd place, 7th grade boys
Adrian Gonzalez – 2nd place, 8th grade boys
Joshua Martinez – 3rd place, 6th grade boys
Maritza Ramos – 3rd place, 7th grade girls
Fourth-place finishers included Sinu Madhaven (6th grade boys) and Alexander Cruz (8th grade boys).
San Miguel Academy’s rowing program expands educational and athletic opportunities for student-athletes while building discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. The program has played a significant role in helping graduates earn placements at top-tier high schools and colleges. Today, it stands as one of the largest middle school rowing programs in the nation and among the largest minority middle school rowing programs in the country.
Covenant Preparatory School 8th Grader Goes to China
Recently, Covenant Prep 8th grader Michael Slappy was selected to be one of just four youth ambassadors from Hartford to join a powerful educational program taking place in Beijing, China. The school could not be more proud of Michael for being chosen and for representing the city of Hartford all the way across the world. Shared below are is what Michael had to say about the life-changing experience.
“I’m forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to visit China! Through the influence of Ms. Cannavo and Ms. Clarissa, I was able to apply to the EmpowerED Alternatives Winter-Friendship camp in China. After obtaining our visas, we began Saturday classes where the Student Ambassadors would learn about Chinese culture and language. When the day came to board the plane, we were all excited.”
“First we traveled to London and explored, visiting places like the Big Ben tower. Secondly, we arrived in China for our days of sightseeing and we visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Great Wall. The sights left us in awe, and we were welcomed by the locals. After days of adventure, the friendship camp began. The students were kind and humorous and made the lessons engaging and worthwhile.”
“The students were kind and humorous and made the lessons engaging and worthwhile. The counselors quickly became the Ambassadors best friends with their unique personalities. My favorite part of the trip was the karaoke on the day before the closing ceremony. Finally, the trip came to an end in Japan after visiting the skytree. I never thought Covenant would take me abroad, but they did and it was the time of my life!”
