Supporters of Wamogo Agriculture

Agriculture's Next Generation

Well-rounded, well-educated leaders who can confidently enter the next stage of their lives–vocational or educational–equipped to tackle whatever challenges come next: these are the young adults in our lives. The next generation who will bolster our community, our state, and our country–students of Lakeview High School’s Agricultural Science and Technology Education Program. SWAGS is committed to supporting these students and their teachers in every way possible.

SWAGS Mission

SWAGS mission is to help students in the Agriscience Program at Lakeview High School develop and grow by providing them with state-of-the-art learning environments, tools, and resources. We aim to empower students to pursue their goals while developing into innovative leaders and productive community members.

SWAGS History

Conceived in April of 2018, and officially established in December of 2019, Supporters of Wamogo Agricultural Sciences Foundation LLC (SWAGS) was created by a group of like-minded volunteers who saw the need for quality education in a quality environment. The goal: to raise awareness in the Northwest Connecticut community about the importance of agriscience education, and to provide materials and resources needed for the growing population of Wamogo Agriscience students (now Lakeview High School students) to fuel their education and growth in the program.

Led by Board President Dan Coutu, and an all-volunteer Board of Directors, SWAGS is a community non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for the Agriscience Program, for needs beyond the scope of the annual program budget. SWAGS funds student scholarships, class educational experience grants, and capital support for facility improvements, and is always looking for new ways to help teachers improve the daily educational experience of students.

SWAGS champions the growth of academic programs that empower students to pursue college and vocational educations and to enter the workforce as skilled, critically-thinking young adults. Through fundraising and active social outreach, SWAGS provides students with the tools and resources they need to become innovative and productive community members. SWAGS is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

BOARD of Directors

PRESIDENT – DAN COUTU

VICE PRESIDENT – ERIC ELWELL

SECRETARY – CHARLES ROWLAND

TREASURER – KYLE MANZOLINO

ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS:
DIANE BARNES
HOPE THORN
DAVID T. WILSON

The Agriscience Program

For decades the Agricultural Science and Technology Education Program at Lakeview High School (the Agriscience Program) has provided a superior education to hundreds of students in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Annually educating around 140 students in grades 9 through 12, the Agriscience Program is ranked as a top-6 program in the country, and has prepared countless students for professional success in the agricultural industries. Throughout their time in the program, students are given the opportunity to explore occupations across all areas of agriculture, focusing on Plant Science, Food Science, Natural Resources, Ag Biotechnology, Veterinary Science, Large Animal & Equine Science, and Ag Mechanics, among other electives.

SWAGS CURRENT INITIATIVES

Educational Experience Grants

Twice a year, Agriscience teachers have the opportunity to submit mini grant proposals to be awarded up to $1,500 to fund a new Educational Experience for their students. The grants are awarded by the SWAGS Board to the most qualified Educational Experience Proposals submitted.

What is a Class Educational Experience?
An experience that will provide educational enrichment to students in the Agriscience Program, beyond or building upon the standard class curriculum. Examples of such an experience include, but are not limited to, a guest speaker, a wet lab, or a class field trip! The experiences enhance the teacher’s current budgeted curriculum, and provide additional education that the students would not otherwise have access to.

Past Educational Experience Grants

2023-24 school year: SWAGS awarded two Educational Experience Grants: one to fund a Pet First Aid Certification Course for Veterinary Sciences students, and one to support Natural Resource students on their Yellowstone Forever Trip.

2024-25 school year: SWAGS awarded two Educational Experience Grants: one to help fund students’ Churchill Downs trip to Louisville, and another to fund a trip to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and New England Aquarium in Massachusetts.