2018 Connecticut's Kid Governor-Elect Megan Kasperowski

On Tuesday, November 21, 5th Graders across Connecticut found out who will serve as the next Connecticut's Kid Governor. With 6,100 registered voters and seven candidates, students elected Megan Kasperowski of Portland to be the 2018 Connecticut's Kid Governor. Megan ran on a campaign to raise awareness about Cancer, saying Tuesday that she thinks it is a "huge issue in our community and that people are dying too often from this terrible disease. I want to help those suffering with cancer and make their days happier.”

Megan will be the third Connecticut's Kid Governor, succeeding Jessica Brocksom of Milford. Megan will be inaugurated in January at a ceremony at Connecticut's Old State House. 

You can check out the Connecticut's Kid Governor website for updates and more information about Megan's term.

Full coverage of the announcement of the 2018 Connecticut's Kid Governor.

Megan's campaign video about cancer awareness. 

The Statewide Election for the 2018 Kid Governor is underway!

The 2017 Statewide Election for the 2018 Connecticut’s Kid Governor is underway! 

After receiving a record-breaking number of nominees this year, seven students were selected to be this year’s Statewide Election Candidates. These students were nominated by the 5th graders in their schools and now it is YOUR turn to decide who will be the next Kid Governor!

Each candidate has created a campaign video outlining why he or she wants to be Connecticut’s Kid Governor; what leadership qualities he/she has; what community issue is important to him or her and way; and a three-point plan outlining ways for Connecticut’s 5th graders to make a difference around that issue.

We are pleased to announce that the candidates for the 2017 Connecticut’s Kid Governor Statewide Election are: 

A’aliyah: Bullying

Dillon: Bullying

Gwyn: Child Poverty

Liliana: Making the Elderly Feel Valued

Madison: Kindness

Megan: Cancer

Nathaniel: Eliminating Styrofoam Trays

You can watch the candidates’ campaign videos here.

Good luck to all of the Connecticut’s Kid Governor candidates! Polls close on Tuesday, November 14 at 5:00pm. Look for the announcement of the next Kid Governor soon!

October "Shout Outs" to Kids Helping Animals!

I have some shout outs for kids who visited my Kid Governor's Office at Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford and shared how they want to be kind to animals through my animal cut-out activity:

• Sarah said "I can learn about what animals need to be healthy."
• Chelsey wrote "I can serve my time to a local animal shelter."
• Camillo wrote "I can put a container of water in the street on hot days to help street dogs or cats" 
• Dylan said "I can try to make a food organization for animals."
• Brenna wrote "I can make donations to the animal shelters."
• Grace said "I can make an effort to not leave trash outside because I know it can hurt an animal." 
• Jerick said "I can give money to charities that help abused animals."
• Julia wrote "I can do a can and bottle drive to raise money to donate to the animal shelters."

Reading the animal cut-outs visitors have left in my office at the Old State House!

Another huge shout out to Elena Tipton the 2016 Connecticut's Kid Governor for going to my office and picking out some great cut outs from kids across the state.

2016 Kid Governor Elena in the Kid Governor's Office at the Old State House

If you want to get a shout out just email me at CKGJessica@kidgovernor.org.

Have a great day and keep helping animals, those without a voice!

Your Kid Governor, 

My interview with seven-year-old animal activist Eloise!

Hello everyone!

Recently, I interviewed a girl named Eloise. She is seven years old and from my hometown of Milford. She painted pictures of animals, sold them and donated the money to the animal shelter. She's a very inspiring girl and I have no doubt that she will help many people and animals in the future. Watch my interview with Eloise below!

Are you raising money for animals in your community? Let me know! Email me at CKGJessica@kidgovernor.org to tell me how you are helping animals!

Your Kid Governor,

Helping Animals After Hurricane Harvey

Hey guys!

As you may have heard, Texas is currently flooded and covered in water after Hurricane Harvey. So many people and animals are being found and rescued. The shelters are so full of animals and they really need your help to find as many of the animals as possible a loving home. My friends at the Connecticut Humane Society have sent down ten people to Texas to help rescue animals and find them a new home. They are also excepting a few animals to come up to our Humane Society so people from Connecticut can give these pets a loving home right here! I am also happy to see the Humane Society of the United States, who I met with when I was in Washington, D.C. in June, has volunteers on the front lines helping with animal rescue in Texas.

Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

If you really want to help the animal shelters down in Texas, there are a few things you can do. First, if you can, you can donate to the animal shelters, the ASPCA, or the Texas Humane Society in Houston. You can mail donations to them or call and ask how you can best help! If you still want to help but can't donate anything, you can help raise awareness with friends and family too!

Thank you guys for staying updated on all my blog posts and make sure to keep helping animals, those that are voice! 

Have a great day!

Your Kid Governor, 

Animal Bills Becoming Laws

Hello everyone!

School has just started and I am so excited. I spent time this summer on my Summer Library Circuit and it went great! I had so much fun at each library!

In April I looked at some bills about animals and recently looked again to see which laws had passed and which didn't. In April I joined Diana Urban to advocating for a bill that would let children who are testifying in certain criminal cases use therapy animals to provide comfort. I am proud to say that this bill and one other animal bill passed into law!

1. HB-6999:A law that allows children to use therapy dogs for comfort while testifying in certain criminal cases.
2. HB-6334: A law that requires animal shelters to be registered and inspected.

Watch our Animal Therapy Day press conference at the Capitol from April. The bill we were advocating for was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Malloy!

Not all of the bills that I supported passed. Here are a few of my favorite bills that I will keep advocating for.

1. HB-6326: A law that makes the act of selling ivory in CT illegal. 
2. HB-6339: A law making the act of giving cows, pigs, and hens too little space illegal. 
3. HB-5988: A law that saves someone from a fine or jail time if they break property saving an animal. 
4. SB-602: A law that makes sure that animals in shelters or pounds are being treated humanely. 

I hope that these bills will get passed in the future. Until then, I will keep contacting my legislators. You can too! You can learn how to write to elected officials HERE. 

Next, I have a few shout outs to some people who wrote on my cut outs at the Old State House! Braden said "stopping people from destroying trees" is an important topic. Brianna wrote that we should "feed all hungry animals and help any animals in trouble". Phillip said he wants to "take care of strays and lost animals". Mary Beth also wrote "make sure that your animals have water outside!" Guys, keep on writing and making a difference!

Make sure to email me all you're doing out there! You can contact me at CKGJessica@KidGovernor.org.

Have an awesome day and keep helping animals, those without a voice!

Your Kid Governor, 

Add Your Name to CKG Jessica's "Responsible Pet Owner Pledge"!

A message from your friends at the Connecticut Public Affairs Network...

Earlier this year CKG Jessica visited the Westminster Dog Show in New York City. While there, she pledged to be a responsible dog owner by signing her name to the American Kennel Club’s “Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise!”

Jessica signing AKC's "Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise"

While the AKC “Pet Promise” is specifically for dog owners, it’s just as important for anyone who owns any pet – a dog, cat, horse, bird, lizard, pig, or anything else – to understand the huge responsibility they take on as guardian of another living being.

Your pet is TOTALLY dependent on you for fresh food, water, daily exercise, visits to the vet, and – just as importantly – giving it the kind of attention that will allow it to live a fulfilled and happy life. For some animals, that could mean training them to learn how to behave around people and other animals; that’s called socialization. By spending time teaching your pet good behavior, you’re creating a better member of society. The time we spend on training our pets to perform tricks or follow commands helps build trust and respect between us and our furry, feathered or scaly friends – and the satisfaction that comes from that kind of relationship is the best reward of all!

After visiting with the dogs (and cats!) at Westminster, CKG Jessica was inspired to create her own pledge for ALL pet owners! She hopes that you will join her in committing to the following acts of responsible pet ownership for all of your pets:

I promise…

• I will always provide a safe environment for my pet. 
• I will always make sure they have fresh clean water and healthy food every day! 
• I will make sure to always take them to the vet for their checkups, keep them updated on all their vaccines and bring them to the doctor when they are sick. 
• I will play with them and make sure they get plenty of exercise! 
• I will love them and treat them with respect. I will remember that they have feelings too! 

A community member signing Jessica's "Responsible Pet Owner Pledge" during her Summer Library Circuit.

Add your name to Jessica’s pledge by emailing her at CKGJessica@kidgovernor.org or posting a comment below - you’ll get a shout-out on one of her blog posts!

You can download a copy of Jessica's Pet Pledge HERE. Feel free to share it with friends and others in the community!