Cole Christadore
Who in town would have ever imagined that the Christadores could become even more famous for something other than their legendary corn-on-the-cob? But Cole, son of Glenda and Daryl Christadore, has earned even greater renown, gaining recognition for his masonry skills at the local, state and national level.
A senior at Ellis Tech, Cole won first place last year in Skills USA, participating with students across the State in various contests, including his area of expertise, masonry. Later, Cole would place third in the entire nation, qualifying him for the World Masonry Competition in Russia, along with six other students, one of whom was chosen. This year, Cole won the state competition again and is leaving right after graduation for the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky the week of June 25th. His instructors are confident he will again be eligible for the world competition as well.
“Cole lost a year starting masonry as a sophomore, but he kept his head down, worked hard, asked a lot of questions,” according to his masonry instructor, Elliot Hayden. “I can’t say enough good about him. A great work ethic, smart, polite and so easy to teach. He listens, responds, takes it all in – and you can see it in his work. He’s the perfect student. I’d trust him anywhere.”
“I’d give him my wallet!” adds Masonry Department Head Michael Daigle. “He’s an outstanding young man. Boys don’t come along like that very often. The last one was a decade ago,” Daigle recalls. “He, too, had a farm background, a good work ethic. Cole helps others. He’s humble, a pleasure to have in class, and I look forward to him being very successful in the field. Cole has also earned distinction on the school’s honor roll throughout his academic career.
Congratulations, Cole, to you and to your family. We wish you luck in your upcoming contest, and look forward to learning of your future success.
Marissa Shirshac
The “sound of broken records” was music to the ears of Marissa Shirshac this year, as the Hampton resident, and senior guard for Windham Tech’s “Mighty Tigers”, surpassed prior records set on the school’s basketball court.
On January 12, in a game against Norwich Tech, Marissa broke the 2014 girls’ basketball record of 1,420 career points scored, and later that night, her foul shot surpassed the boys’ basketball record of 1,431 set in 1984, breaking both of the school’s basketball records during one magical game. Marissa ended the night with an additional ten points, but her career on Windham Tech’s court would continue to soar, as she later collected 388 more points this last season for a total of 1,829 career points scored.
“I’m really excited for her because she’s so deserving. Not just because she’s a great scorer, but because she does so much for the team, the program,” Coach Tom St. George said in an interview with the Willimantic Chronicle after the game. “She tries to help out her younger teammates as much as she can, and that’s what makes her such a great leader.”
Marrissa confirmed that assessment in the same article. “I never really think about points because I’m really focused on us playing better as a team. I never thought about records or anything like that. It’s important to me to give my teammates, especially the younger ones, an opportunity to score, too, because we need to build chemistry and develop as a team. I won’t be around next year but I want them to be successful. It’s my responsibility to try and help them improve together, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. “Marissa, who was named the “Mighty Tigers” most valuable player all four seasons, culminated her illustrious high school basketball career by earning Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference C lass S All State honors.
Congratulations to Marissa, and her family; the community wishes you continued success on and off the court!
India Arriola