HARTFORD, CT — State Rep. Tony Scott (R-Monroe) welcomed 2023 Kid Governor Elisavet “Ellie” Mendez, and her cabinet, to the House of Representatives Wednesday, as he introduced them to his colleagues during a brief pause in state business for a point of personal privilege.
The civics initiative was created by the Connecticut Democracy Center. Fifth grade classes across Connecticut elected the Kid Governor during the week of November 7-15, 2022.
“I was honored to introduce these future leaders to my colleagues,” Scott said. “I congratulate Ellie and look forward to her representing Monroe as much as I do. I’m here today because my daughter, Addison, was on the cabinet for Kid Governor three years ago. Because she wanted to make a change to help others, it gave me the inspiration that I could do more to help my town, my district, and the state of Connecticut.”
Ellie ran on a platform of addressing anxiety and depression, focusing on three points. She is looking to provide strategies to reduce stress and anxiety, come up with ways for kids to communicate their feelings with a trusted adult, and create an online resource with positive and uplifting messages to inspire kids.
The Kid Governor’s Cabinet includes the six final candidates from the 2022 Statewide Election:
Aaron Enyong from CREC University of Hartford Magnet School in West Hartford;
Jacob Garay from CREC Discovery Academy in Wethersfield (lives in Hartford);
Liliana Magazine from Meadowside Elementary School in Milford;
Maxence Clementine from Long Meadow Elementary School in Middlebury;
Scarlet Beaulieu from Andover Elementary School in Andover;
and Shaan Patel from Pomperaug Elementary School in Southbury.
The Cabinet meets monthly to advise Ellie, discuss how they can support her campaign platform in their own communities, and collaborate with each other as they accomplish their own three-point platforms.
Information about what each student is advocating for can be found here: http://ct.kidgovernor.org/cabinet2023.
