Connecticut Kid Governor Inauguration 2024

January 23, 2024 BrianAmbrosePhoto

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CT, event, event photography, events, HartfordCT, Kid Governor

What is the Connecticut Kid Governor?

It is a program that involves fifth graders all around the state. Above all the program gives kids first hand insight and experience in learning about state government, elections, and voting.

Students public, private, magnet, charter, and home schools all participate. Fifth graders research community issues they care about, next they create three-point platforms, and finally make campaign videos. Schools run primaries, select nominees, then each school presents a winning candidate to the Statewide Election. After that, in November fifth graders around the state cast their votes and the winning candidate serves one term as the Connecticut Kid Governor! Finally, the CT Kid Governor is announced and sworn into office! It is amazing to see these young students’ conviction and drive to help others in their community. As a result, the Kid Governor Program shows that you are never too young to make a difference and make your voice heard!

Inauguration Day 2024

The Connecticut Kid Governor Inauguration celebrates the winning candidate’s hard work! As well as kicks off their One Year in Office! The 2024 Kid Governor is Cristiano Almeida! He is a fifth grader from Zaya Oshana Elementary School, in Southington. He ran on the platform of promoting Physical Activity. His three points on how to help this community issue are:

1. Develop a Fit-Coins Program in Schools to encourage Physical Activity.

2. Create a Fit4FunKidz Youtube Channel with videos about fitness, physical activities, interviews with professionals, and student-submitted videos.

3. Coordinate a Statewide Poster Contest focused on Fitness Tips.

The Connecticut Kid Governor Inauguration Day was filled with excitement! On January 19th Cristiano & his cabinet (the six runners up of the Kid Governor election) were sworn into office! The special event took place at Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford.

During the event the 2023 Kid Governor Elisavet “Ellie” Mendez gave her farewell address. She gave an amazingly eloquent speech describing all her hard work for the year as well as communicating her gratitude for this amazing opportunity! During her one year term as Kid Governor she was able to make a huge difference in the community with her “Express and Address platform” promoting Mental Health. Great work Ellie!

“The celebration will include a formal inauguration ceremony. A news conference with Kid Governor-Elect Cristiano and his Cabinet. Also an educational program with elected officials from the three branches of state government. Special guests included: Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, Treasurer Erick Russell, Attorney General William Tong, Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker, State Senator Rob Sampson, State Senator Tony Hwange, State Representative Chris Poulos, Supreme Court Justice Steven Ecker, retired Supreme Court Justice Dennis Eveleigh, and State Troubadour Kala Farnham. The event is presented by the Connecticut Democracy Center.” – The CT Kid Governor Office. The whole event was emceed by WFSB’s Roger Susanin.

Cristiano, his parents, his grandparents, and his sisters were smiling the entire Inauguration day! The pride Cristiano and his family shared for his major accomplishment was contagious! Cristiano’s Dad in particular can be seen smiling from ear to ear in almost every Photo. When asked about the reason for choosing his platform Cristiano said that growing up with a Dad who is a gym teacher Physical Activity is very important in his life. Furthermore if you would like to learn more about Cristiano and his platform click here.