Theme: That Makes Two Of Us

Have you ever had that moment in class—or at work—when you are having a really crummy day and absolutely nothing is going as planned? You exclaim your exhaustion to a peer or co-worker and they say, “well, that makes two of us.” It’s such a simple phrase, and its definitely not solving anything. Your problems and worries are just the same as how they were before the phrase was said, but in some way, you might feel a bit better. It’s that exact feeling that this event is trying to package in a bottle: the power of two people. Sometimes, and especially for high schoolers, half the problem is merely the fear that you are the only one facing it. By coming together, both over our insecurities and the strength of our ideas, we can change the world, one “that makes two of us” at a time.

Daniel Hand High School
286 Green Hill Road
Madison, Connecticut, 06443
United States

Andrew Onubogu

Poet + Student

My name is Andrew Onubogu. I’m a 17-year-old, Nigerian-American from West Orange, New Jersey. The original idea for my topic came from my experience at Daniel Hand High-school as a student, singer, and poet vs. being an athlete. Although, when thinking about the fantastic achievements of DHHS students that aren’t nearly as appreciated as they should be, it quickly became the sole inspiration for my topic. Achievements in academics; art, band, civil activism, curriculum reform, coding, orchestra, personal projects/companies, photography, robotics, show choir, tv production, etc. that go unnoticed. Even though the inspiration comes from my perspective, the issue is a nationwide concern that we, as a society need to address. I hope my words can inspire self-reflection in how we view each other’s talents.

Byron Williams

Juvenile Corrections Officer + Professional Bodyguard

Byron Williams is a man that has made fatherhood a priority and has released as an author from a lucrative publishing contract prior to the release date. Byron has traveled the world as a professional body guard for Eminem, rubbed elbows with the elite, played collegiate and pro-basketball, and self published 5 books, having done so all after escaping a life of teenage crime in Detroit, Michigan. As a juvenile corrections officer, Byron will talk about the making of a juvenile delinquent.

Catherine Kennedy

Historian + Youth Educator

Catherine has taught Social Studies here at Daniel Hand High School for the past seventeen years, and grew up nearby in East Lyme, CT. Despite keeping shoreline Connecticut as homebase for much of her life, traveling is Catherine's passion. She thrives on new experiences, near and far, that each give her a glimpse into more of the world. Teaching allows Catherine to share some of these stories with others. She lives with her three children, Gabriel, Giovanni and Angelina, and Catherine's true joy in life is watching their worlds’ get just a little bit bigger with each new experience.

Charlie Shafer

Musician + Concert Presenter

Charlie Shafer has run a niche concert series for almost 30 years, and has found that communicating for effective promotion and successful audience experience has evolved considerably. Through trial and error, he's combined his passion for music, the outdoor sports, and preservation of open space can all work together.

Denise Page

Activist + Storyteller

Denise Keyes Page is founder of Ubuntu Storytellers: IDEAL. The company was formed to provide DEI training to organizations and communities with a unique approach. The first module is story narrative, provided by professional storytellers who identify as black or brown. Their stories span the arc between victimhood and sainthood, opening the hearts of the listeners to prepare one for the hard work of examining one’s role in dismantling or dare I say perpetuating racism. Ms. Page has been a professional in the field of diversity and antiracism for more than thirty years. She is a sought after facilitator that has worked with communities, school districts, municipalities, nonprofits and corporations nationally. She serves on the boards of Connecticut Storytelling Center (CSC) and The Northeast Storytellers (NEST. ) Additionally, she is President-elect of the CT chapter of the National Speakers Association. She is passionate about leaving a legacy of a commitment to dismantling racism.

Emma Flaherty

College Student

Emma Flaherty is a second-year student majoring in Art History at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Her particular area of focus is in Northern Renaissance and Dutch Baroque Art and she aspires to be a curator at an art museum. A 2021 graduate of Daniel Hand High School, Emma is excited to be returning to her home community to share her story. She hopes her message about an unlikely bond she formed with a stray cat can inspire others to reevaluate their relationship with animals, and how that consequently can re-frame the way they look at mental health and human interaction. When not spending time with her friend Harold the cat, Emma can be found reading, playing guitar, or knitting.

Erik Becker

Nutritionist + Football Coach

Teacher & Head Football Coach at Daniel Hand High School. I teach to enhance the wellness of my students; I coach to help students become respectful, responsible, honest, & caring people who will impact the world for good.

Erin McCahill

Author + Corporate Leader

Erin McCahill is a corporate leader, entrepreneur, a personal and professional culture creator, and #1 international best-selling author. As a sales and customer experience leader in the telecom, technology, and financial industry, her diverse background has led to a successful career and has built a strong reputation in building new and revitalizing low performing organizations, that deliver exceptional results while providing a superior customer experience. Erin has received numerous awards in recognition of her success and possesses a Bachelor of Science in business management and an MBA. Finding her passion that drives her: helping others build personal and professional cultures, Erin is determined to share the lessons “the undercurrents of life” she has learned to make an impact in the world and give others hope and inspire them to live the life they desire.

Jack Wagner

Business Visionary + Professor

Jack Wagner started in business career in 1974 with the IBM Corporation. He held many roles throughout his 34-year tenure at IBM but was always viewed as a business visionary. Jack was an Adjunct Professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology in the Martin Tuchman School of Management from 2008 to 2017. He is taught marketing, business management, international business and career planning/personal development. Jack called upon his years of global business experience to create a classroom environment using real case studies and fostering student involvement including a new class he created for seniors to prepare them for the world of business. He created a partnership between IBM and NJIT to integrate digital technologies into classes and certify students on their skills. He has extended his involvement at NJIT in his role as President of the Alumni Association and has created the Highlander Connect Initiative to focus alumni resources on career planning for students.

Jessica Cuomo

Author + Professor

Jessica Cuomo is the author of the memoir A Dance in the DSM: My Tango with Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and OCD. She grew up free range as an 80's kid in small town Connecticut. After graduating from Fairfield University with a Bachelors in English and a concentration in Creative Writing, she went on to teach high school English for six years, Library Science for two years, and currently teaches Communications at a local high school. When Jessica had children, she experienced her first mental health crisis, which inspired her to share her story in hopes of helping others who suffer from mental illness. When she's not writing, reading, or teaching, she's herding her two beautifully wild girls, relaxing with her husband, or hiding in her garden.

Kayty Helgerson

Hospitality Educator + Entrepreneur

Kayty Helgerson is a hospitality educator and owner of Gather Intentional Living & Everyday Hospitality. A public speaker, food stylist, writer and aspiring interior designer, she is set out to see our generation come back to the table through hospitality for the sake of meaningful connection. Gather started as a small New England business and throughout the pandemic experienced tremendous growth as they shifted to virtual. Through this shift, they welcomed guests from all fifty states and six countries through their hundreds of workshops on charcuterie, cake decorating, and hospitality education. They have since expanded to offer a podcast called Making Room by Gather, which welcomes experts in the areas of food, design and relationship. Along with a a shop with products that make gathering effortlessly beautiful. Set out to educate and inspire a new way to approach everyday hospitality, Gather is just getting started!

Kimberly Cofrancesco

Model + Public Speaker

A learning and development professional by day and a superhero with a message to share by night. Kimberly Cofrancesco is a passionate speaker about the power of positivity and overcoming adversity, and she is on a mission to spread positivity across the globe. After her own cancer diagnosis, she's been finding ways to make life matter, and encouraging others to step outside of their comfort zones, to do things that make them happy! Her lucky number is 13 and oh by the way, she's Mrs. Connecticut!

Lara Goodrich

Clinical Psychologist

Lara Goodrich, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has a passion for helping others find power in mental health. Lara worked at hospitals, schools, and clinics for 15 years specializing in anxiety, health psychology, and emotional development across the lifespan. She now applies those diverse experiences while working with clients at her private practice, Dynama Psychology LLC, located in Madison CT. As a therapist and parent, Lara's days are filled with hearing the deeply personal stories that shape people and their lives. She is honored to share a story of her own at this event, and is excited that this opportunity completes an item on her bucket list!

Matthew Joseff

Data Analyst

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Rebecca Moles

Child Abuse Pediatrician

Rebecca Moles, MD, CPC is a Child Abuse Pediatrician, Certified Professional Coach for Physicians, and a Mother of Teens who has spent over 20 years dedicated to the direct care of children and families in crisis. Armed with her pediatrician’s understanding of the science of the developing brain, her direct clinical experience with child trauma victims, her emotional intelligence as a professional executive coach, and her journey as a parent, Dr. Moles outlines a framework for understanding our stress responses and for shifting our strategies to help teens, and their parents, flourish.

Steven Pynn

Educator + Executive Coach

Steven Pynn is a semi-retired educator and Executive Coach. I lead a support group through the Yale Hearing and Balance Center for deaf and hearing impaired individuals. I am deaf myself. My talk is meant to raise awareness of Noise Induced Hearing Loss and the steps people can take to protect and preserve their hearing.

Trip Rizzo

Pianist + Student

I am Trip Rizzo a current student at Daniel Hand. I wanted to give a talk that touched on something important in my life, like the piano. I've been playing the piano for over ten years and it has taught me a lot more than learning to play a few notes. It taught me the message behind my talk. It has taught me that in order to become great at something you have to leave an impact on it. You have to compose your own song, instead of playing others. People can help inspire you and you can learn from others, but until you create your own idea and leave an impact on the world, you cannot become great. Sports such as hockey and lacrosse, which I'm involved in, also helped me come to this understanding of greatness. I'm still writing my own song, and I hope I can help inspire people to start writing theirs.

Will McDonough

Educator + Author

Will McDonough is an educator, author, speaker, and thought-leader from Guilford, CT. Named one of the Global Forum on Education and Learning's “Top 100 Visionaries in Education” in 2020, Will currently serves as Director of Community Engagement, English and history teacher, advisor, and Basketball and Cross Country Coach at The Country School (Madison, CT). Along with writing letters, he loves maps, running, the Boston Celtics, and spending time in nature with his family.