Sierra Morgan, 14, enjoys being a volunteer leader in the children's summer camp program at William Seely School in Groton.

story and photo
by Maren Schober

If it is a summer week day between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., you will find Sierra Morgan, 14, busy with a group of five to eight year olds at summer camp in Groton.

“Children’s summer camp in Groton  is held at three different school locations,” Scot Johnson, director of the Leader-In-Training program, tells me.  “The schools are William Seely School, Claude Chester School and Cutler Middle School.  The children range from ages three to twelve. I give the leaders training in management, CPR and First Aid.”

Sierra is a volunteer leader in the program at William Seely School.

“My day with the kids starts real early,” explains Sierra.  “The first thing I do is help serve the children breakfast.  The rest of the day the children have arts and crafts sessions, games in the gym and outdoor games like soccer, dodge ball and the playscape. We also have lots of field trips.  We go to Eastern Point Beach, Roger Williams Zoo and the Galaxy Roller Rink.  When I was rollerblading at the Roller Rink, one of the little girls pointed to me and said, ‘You do a very good chicken dance on roller blades! I wish I could do as well as you.’”

“I am learning a lot here,” Sierra continues.  “ I am learning not to shy away from children and to help the children become confident in themselves.  I don’t like to just tell the children what to do and then watch them.  I really love to do hands-on things with the children to show them I care about them.  Through the babysitting I do, I know that I love to be with children.”

Sierra attends Fitch High School in Groton. “We moved to Groton one year ago from Kings Bay, GA.  I enjoy playing soccer and softball at the high school.”

The children at the summer camp are fortunate to have such a caring leader.

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(l-r) Andy Stoddard, Commodore, Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association, presents the Harvey N. Mallove Memorial Trophy to Peter Bergendahl, One More Time, and Peter Ross, Tynaje and their crew members: Bill and Suzie Canning, Bruce Oakes, Ann Bergendahl and Ben Wilkinson.

One-hundred-and-twenty boats and over 300 sailors participated in the 20th Anniversary Hospice SECT Regattas on July 15 and July 18, 2009 at the Stonington Dinghy Club, Thames Yacht Club, Niantic Bay Yacht Club and Mystic River Mudhead Benefit Regatta.  From one-man crew Optimists to 40-foot boats with crews of eight, there was racing all along the Eastern CT shoreline to raise funds for Hospice SECT.

The winners of the Harvey N. Mallove Memorial Trophy are Peter Bergendahl in One More Time (Racing Class) and Peter Ross in Tynaje (Cruising Class).

Area sailors have raced for 20 years in support of the non-profit, community-based Hospice SECT.  Funds raised allow the organization to continue to provide compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses regardless of their age, disease or inability to pay.

A 20th Anniversary Celebration Cocktail Party will be held on September 26.  For more information, call 860.848.5699 or email lcrider@hospicesect.org.

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