Pawcatuck man named New Leader in Banking

Rich Balestracci, a commercial loan officer for Chelsea Groton Bank, was recently named a New Leader in Banking by the Connecticut Bankers Association and American Business Media. The award was given to 13 up-and-coming banking professionals around the state to recognize the impact they’ve had on their bank and community.

“Rich values his relationships with business owners and community members. He is a hard worker and a leader who is always trying to figure out how we can help a certain business get their start, or ways we can support a business as they grow,” Michael Rauh, president and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank, said in a release.

Outside of work, Balestracci serves as the treasurer of the Stonington Community Center, a coach for Pawcatuck Little League, and a member on the Stonington Economic Development Commission. He lives in Pawcatuck with his family.

Sacred Heart students sweep essay contest

The Spellman Council #6107 of the Knights of Columbus recently announced that all of the winners of their annual essay contest were eighth graders at Sacred Heart School in Groton.

Eamonn Pelletier won first place, Claire Fenaughty and Yailanis Gutierrez tied for second place, and Madilyn Tomasweski won third place. The contest was open to all Catholic students in grades 8-12 who live within the Diocese of Norwich. This year's topic was "Charity is the theological virtue which we love God above all things for His own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God."

"I believe we've never had all the essay winners from the same class and school," essay contest chairman Dan Leone said in a release, commending the Catholic faith leadership of eighth grade teacher Susanne Yalcin, who also teaches the middle school religion classes.

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