CCLP Summer Enrichment Completes 6th Year

In August, the Crossroads Cooperative Learning Program (CCLP) completed its sixth Summer Enrichment Session at Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford.  A stellar cast of faculty members and volunteers contributed to what Director Todd Eckerson referred to as “CCLP’s most successful summer yet!”

“Each day it seemed that something unexpected and wonderful happened,” said Todd.  “Either a faculty member would make a new connection to a CCLP student or a CCLP student would say, write or do something profound.”  

The Lesson-Study pedagogy upon which CCLP relies so heavily pushed and prodded the students to extend themselves in remarkable ways.  While the students offered many notable insights into the literature, philosophy, math or science studied, and while many outstanding presentations were delivered, the highlight had to be the college essays.

Under the patient guidance of Westminster Director of College Counseling Kate Applewhite Caspar, and with the aid of a whole host of adult “polishers,” CCLP students wrote, rewrote and then rewrote their essays again.  In time, “diamonds” emerged.  Some essays reflected the challenges of growing up in Hartford.  Others revealed hopes and dreams.  All were infused with grit and grace.

Reading these very personal narratives proved to be a powerful and often emotional experience for the CCLP faculty.  

“Ultimately, these essays provided glowing testimony to the gifts and talents of the young people from Hartford with whom CCLP works,” added Todd.  

Lead Students
Emily Cranshaw ’08
Michele Ribaudo ’08

Volunteers (Food Preparation)
Kelsea Wigmore ’07
Tommy Cross ’08
Zach Wigmore ’08
Abby Stevens ’09
Annie Ulrich ’09
Nico Barragan ’10
Claire Ulrich ’10
Anastasia Eckerson ’11
Stephanie Werner ’11

Zachary Barragan
Cannon Caspar
Zachary Eckerson
Katherine Eckerson
Will Stevens
Olivia Tawney
Sophia Tawney
Alayna Tawney
Isabella Tawney

Mary Eckerson P ’11, ’09
Joan Gillette
Kim Tawney
Hope Wigmore P ’07, ’08

Faculty (from Westminster unless otherwise noted)
Kate Applewhite Caspar
Tony Griffith
Lee Huguley (Avon Old Farms)
Whitney Jackson ’96
Kristen Layden (Williams College ’10)
Peter Newman ’80
Tim Quinn ’96
Ron Schlageter (St. Thomas More)
Amy Stevens P’07, ’09
Bryan Tawney

Volunteer “Polishers”
Jose Ruiz ’94
Dennis Daly P’01, ’04
Tim Layden
Melinda Wright