Speaking in front of an audience. Making recommendations to business owners and leaders of organizations. Working with peers. Researching potential solutions. Backing up ideas with facts. Fielding questions.  

It’s all part of the Innovation Trimester, known as the I-Tri, where students step away from their regular classes and daily schedule in their senior spring term to offer innovative solutions to challenges faced by local businesses and nonprofits.  

This spring, nine students worked with three local businesses — Five Points Arts Center in Torrington, le Bánh Patisserie in Simsbury, and Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center — as this year’s I-Tri focused on the arts. The students’ final presentation, on Simsbury Meadows, and an overall celebration of the completion of the program took place on Wednesday, May 20. 

Five Points purchased additional land, and the students were tasked with how best to use the additional space. Ideas included seasonal art trails, an outdoor amphitheater, and an educational hub.  

The task for le Bánh Patisserie was to increase visibility and business. Student solutions ranged from a loyalty program for repeat customers to an increased presence and more customer engagement on social media.  

“The owner was open and honest and vulnerable, and she told the students all about what it is like to be a small business owner,” said science teacher Naomi Appel, who directed this year’s I-Tri with Scott MacClintic ’82, the director of innovation. 

The challenges for the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center were to create a more accessible experience for those with physical limitations and to enhance the overall experience for all. The students offered multiple ideas for each, including assigning volunteers to help people with limited mobility, creating a family-friendly section, and offering pre- and post-show activities. 

“The kids asked incredible questions, thoughtful questions, and you could tell they took the project seriously and were invested,” said Allison Young, the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center director.  

Naomi said the I-Tri is a unique way for students to do something different at the end of their senior year and to pick up skills they will continue to use. As one student said, if you had told him at the beginning of I-Tri that he’d be giving a presentation to a group of local leaders, faculty, and other students, he would not have believed it. But there he was, just like the other eight. 

As part of the I-Tri each year, the students are asked to create a gift for someone who matters to them. Many choose to learn a new skill while doing so. One student said she learned how to use a nail gun and a saw.  

Jaden Williams created a gift for her grandparents — a drawing of their former house in Pittsburgh, where the family gathered on weekends and holidays. “That is a very special place to me,” Jaden said.  

Other projects included a wooden photo album that Griffin Boston made for his mom, showing appreciation to her “for making me the person I am today,” and a black walnut cutting board that Georges DeVos made for his family because in his house “the kitchen is where we gather.” Luke Korman made a chord chart and instrumental version of the song “Country Moon” for his dad, who originally wrote the song. Porter Hutchinson said he acquired a new skill — sewing — as he made a footbag (Hacky Sack) for his brother, who will attend Loomis Chaffee next year.  

This year’s I-Tri students: 

Lucas Bain 

Griffin Boston 

Georges DeVos 

Porter Hutchinson 

Maylia Jordan 

Luke Koman 

Nick Sangermano 

Max Shactman 

Jaden Williams