Volume 16, Number 51
www.northhavencitizen.com
Friday, December 17, 2021
BOE: North Haven Nighthawks is the new mascot By Nicole Zappone Special to The Citizen
The Board of Education unanimously approved a new mascot for the school district at a special meeting Dec. 13. Teams will now be known as the North Haven Nighthawks.
Nighthawks are expert hunters found along the rivers and open fields of North Haven and are known for their persistence and stamina. The former Indian mascot was retired at a BOE meeting in July. “I am looking forward to an awe-
some new logo that we can all be proud to wear,” said Amanda Gabriele, board member and Mascot Committee member. “I also think that this will make all the people who pushed for this change feel welcome in our great town.” Mascot Committee meetings began in September and suggestions
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
for a new mascot were taken in November, after which the committee culled through submissions to identify finalists. Through the first week of December, there was online voting for students as well as voting opportunities for See Mascot, A2
Small business program targets diverse communities By Karla Santos Record-Journal staff
Jackie Phillips opened The Life Changer Center in Hartford in 2016. She enrolled in Liberty Bank’s Academy for Small Business program in the spring because she wanted to strengthen her business and learn skills that would help her to better operate her mental health and life empowerment center. She was able to accomplish her goal through the program.
The North Haven Police Department collected new, unwrapped toys for those in need this holiday season, and local residents, groups and businesses answered the call. The police department’s toy drive was slated to wrap up Sunday, Dec. 12. NHPD, Facebook
“Where I was last year to where I am now is like night and day,” she said. Glenn Davis, first vice president, community development/CRA officer at Liberty Bank, said the Academy for Small Business program is a 10-week class that offers up to a $5,000 credit line for those who successfully complete it. The idea is for students to use the line of credit to launch or help advance their business. Liberty Bank, headquartered in Middletown, has 62 banking offices throughout the state, including in North Haven. The program is free but it requires students to have a minimum credit score of 600. To qualify for the credit line students See Program, A2