Connecticut’s 2024 Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida delivers his Inaugural Address on Jan. 19 at the Old State House in Hartford. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford on Jan. 19, Cristiano Almeida, the recently elected 2024 Kid Governor, examines a retired voting machine alongside his cabinet members Clare Perreault, left, and Ella Hawkins. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford on Jan. 19, Cristiano Almeida, the recently elected 2024 Kid Governor, receives a congratulatory statement signed by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

Connecticut’s newly elected 2024 Kid Governor Cristiano Almeida signs autographs for students from Grove J. Tuttle School in East Haven on Jan. 19 at the former governor’s office in Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

Connecticut’s newly elected 2024 Kid Governor Cristiano Almeida exits the courtroom at Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford on Jan. 19 along with cabinet members Clare Perreault, front, and Alexa Adgers, following. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

On Jan. 19, at the Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas administered the oath of office to the 2024 Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida with his family watching. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Grove J. Tuttle School teacher Jennifer Grayson stands with fellow teachers from across the state prior to the Cristiano Almeida’s 2024 Kid Governor inaugural. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, East Haven fifth grade students ask questions from Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members following the inaugural ceremony. Max Parisi from East Haven Academy and Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Max Parisi from East Haven Academy answers questions from visiting students along with his fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members following the inaugural ceremony. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School, left, and Max Parisi, third from left, from East Haven Academy stand with CT Kid Governor Cristiano Almeida, center, and fellow cabinet members. Max and Dahna will serve as Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members for Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Max Parisi from East Haven Academy, center, stands with his fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members during a press conference. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Max Parisi from East Haven Academy is introduced along with his fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members at the beginning of the inaugural. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School is introduced along with her fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members at the beginning of the inaugural. Dahna will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, not shown, administered the oath of office to Alexa Adgers from Renzulli Academy with Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Steven D. Ecker applauding. Alexa will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Max Parisi from East Haven Academy is introduced along with his fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members at the beginning of the inaugural. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, East Haven fifth grade students listen to responses from Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members following the inaugural ceremony. Max Parisi from East Haven Academy and Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School is interviewed along with her fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members during a press conference. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School looks over at Max Parisi from East Haven Academy as he answers questions during a question and answer session with fellow fifth grade students from across the state. Max and Dahna will serve as Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School looks over at Max Parisi from East Haven Academy during a question and answer session with fellow fifth grade students from across the state. Max and Dahna will serve as Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School, right, gets a closer look at a retired voting booth along with fellow 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members. Dahna and Max Parisi, not shown, from East Haven Academy will serve as Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Dahna Lara from Grove J. Tuttle School and Max Parisi from East Haven Academy pose for a photo in the House of Representatives room. Max and Dahna will serve as Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, Max Parisi from East Haven Academy is interviewed along with his fellow Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members during a press conference. Max will serve as a cabinet member for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

Inauguration Day was held on Jan. 19 at Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford for Connecticut’s ninth Kid Governor Cristiano Almeida. Finalists for Kid Governor will serve as his cabinet members including Dahna Lara, left, from Grove J. Tutle Elementary, Clare Perreault from Gainfield Elementary, Alexa Adgers from Renzulli Academy, Paula Sanchez-Barreto from Ivy Drive School, Ella Hawkins from CREC Ana Grace Acemy of the Arts, and and Max Parisi from East Haven Academy. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier

At Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford, on Jan. 19, teacher Jenna Grayson from Grove J. Tuttle School stands with students looking over the biographies for the 2024 Connecticut Kid Governor cabinet members. Kid Governor, Cristiano Almeida. Almeida, a fifth-grade student at Oshana Elementary in Southington, was elected by his fellow fifth-grade students from around the state. The program, which was founded by the Connecticut Democracy Center, has expanded to encompass Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Wesley Bunnell / The Courier