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It’s your paper! Friday, February 8, 2019 • Vol. 5, No. 12 • Fitchburg, WI • ConnectFitchburg.com • $1
Spring election
Inside
Mayoral forum Feb. 20
Fitchburg named a “Wisconsin Active Community” Page 3 Primary candidate questionnaires Pages 12, 13, 15
Business
SCOTT GIRARD
Unified Newspaper Group
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Fitchburg business nominated for statewide award Page 10
Sports
From left, Ahyanna Brenston, Destini Patterson, Janiyah Green, Shania Frazier, Badger Ridge Middle School teacher Shayla Glass, Tae’Javiean Bey, Ma’lahja Johnson, Emani Embry, Diani’Zabell Acevedo and Sacora Berry are members of the Black Girls Circle of Support group that Glass mentors, where the girls have a space to be themselves and discuss issues specific to them.
Doing ‘necessary’ work VASD educator, Fitchburg resident honored for equity efforts KIMBERLY WETHAL
‘This award is just so humbling. It was just really Badger Ridge Middle School teach- affirming for me. This is why er Shayla Glass received confirmation I do what I do, and I’m not last month that she’s making a difference. going to stop any time soon.’ Unified Newspaper Group
Madison West swimming repeats at conference Page B1
Schools Traffic issues at RCI, OMS Page B6 VASD middle schools will get Chinese language instruction Page B7
Glass, a Fitchburg resident, was awarded the City-County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for her work to promote equity and address academic and disciplinary disparities among African American students. Hired by the Verona Area School District in 2016, Glass has since co-founded the Black Equity Council at BRMS, is a Circles of Support program leader for seventh- and eighth-graders as the Black Girls group facilitator and is a coach for the African American History Bowl Challenge, according to a news release from Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. Glass said the award will help her “keep going” with her efforts, and shows “the work that I’m doing is necessary.” “This award is just so humbling,” Glass said. “It was just really affirming for me. This is why I do what I do, and I’m not going to stop any time PRSRT STANDARD ECRWSS US POSTAGE
PAID
– Shayla Glass, City-County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award recipient soon.” Glass is also a member of the district’s strategic planning committee that met last year to decide what values and principles would guide the district through the next five years. The now-26-year-old was recognized with the Emerging Leaders Award, which covers an age range of 13-25 and the entire Dane County area, and was nominated when she was still 25. The City of Madison awarded the Humanitarian Award to Anthony Cooper, Sr., for his work with Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and his involvement with providing court advocacy and improving community relations. “Both Shayla and Anthony have dedicated themselves to improving our
community and honor the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Parisi said in the release. “Whether it be Shayla’s focus to shape the minds of future generations or Anthony’s commitment to strengthen re-entry efforts, both have done so much to give back and lead by example. Their passion to serve others lifts our community up and makes them great recipients of this award.” An awards ceremony was held on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Overture Center in Madison. The pastors and members of Glass’ parish at Northside Christian Assembly didn’t bother to tell her they’d put her name in for the award until she received the email notifying her of the recognition on Friday, Jan. 18. Those who nominated her had heard about the work she was doing at VASD. “I had absolutely no idea that I was nominated at first,” she said. “I was super shocked.” When Glass looked up the award she had just won, she read the biographies of the past winners, and couldn’t believe that her work was at the same caliber to win the award. “I was like, ‘oh my God, these people are awesome,’” she said. “I’m on the same level as that?”
City of Fitchburg voters will have a chance to hear from both candidates for mayor, who are expected to attend the Fitchburg Star’s forum later this month. Incumbent Jason Gonzalez a n d c h a l - Gonzalez lenger Aaron Richardson will face off on the ballot April 2 for a one-year term. The Richardson forum will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Council chambers at City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road. The forum will be televised live by Fitchburg community-access network FACTv and rebroadcast multiple times before the primary. Star editor Jim Ferolie will moderate and keep time, and the Star will feature coverage of the forum in its March edition, along with questionnaires from mayoral and
Turn to Forum/Page 11
Inside Read about the Feb. 19 primary ballot, including District 4 alder and Madison school board races Page 3
Turn to Award/Page 14
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