On November 21, North Branford High School recognized 29 students who exemplify Full Circle characteristics of Citizenship, Integrity, Responsibility, Consideration, Leadership and Empathy; including five given the Shining Circle Award, the highest Full Circle honor.

Selected from the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, all of the students were recognized during the NBHS 2018-19 Full Circle assembly in the North Branford auditorium. All students were selected due to nominations made by teachers and NBHS students, said Megan Lee, NBHS Dean of Students and English teacher.

"Students and staff nominated [them] to be awarded for demonstrating exceptional character," said Lee, adding, "...we had a record number of students participate in the nomination process."

A total of 487 student nominations were submitted, according to Lee.  

The five students honored with plaques commemorating their 2018-19 NBHS Shining Circle Award are: seniors Emily Neubig and Jordan Regan (Class of 2019), junior Brianna Dautaj (Class of 2020), sophomore Emily McCormack (Class of 2021)and freshman Ryan Vaspasiano (Class of 2022).

The 24 NBHS Full Circle Award recipients recognized with certificates on Nov. 21 are: Colby Anastasio, Samantha DeAngelo, Rachel Helwig, Ian McLay and Brianna Raccio; juniors Connor Fassett, Ava Galdenzi, Rachel Kwalek, Avonlea LeBeau, Calley Marcarelli, Emily Olsen, Katy Pedersen and Noah Vanacore; sophomores Ashlee Amendola, Griffin Geist, Chris Herassme, Brianna Iuteri, Kelli Jacobson and Caroline Shadman; and freshmen Daniel Fekita, Reagan Leete, Dhruvi Patel, Izaac Pereira and Cailey Waldron.

"This year's assembly was our biggest yet," said Lee. "We even had our faculty band - aptly named 'Full Circle,' perform at the close of the assembly."

Full Circle, the band, is made up of faculty members Chelsea Dodds (English), Nick DeLizio (Video Productions), Nick Filippides (Music), Rebekah Polemeni (Science) and Jacob Sweet (Social Studies).