Connecticut's Kid Governor

Kid Governor Tessa and her Cabinet recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the State Capitol! The student leaders were warmly welcomed in the House of Representatives by State Representative Dave Yaccarino and in the Senate by Senator Paul Cicarella and they met with their respective legislators to share their inspiring platforms. They further elevated their platforms during meetings with Office of Governor Ned Lamont, Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State, and explored the historic building on a tour with Capitol Information and Tours.

Watch their introduction in the House: https://youtu.be/dhkIGbHAPyQ
Watch their introduction in the Senate: https://youtu.be/de0hm3MlmNg

It was an incredible day of firsthand learning about state government, civic participation, and real-world advocacy. Thank you to everyone who helped make this experience so memorable!

On Tuesday, Connecticut's Kid Governor Tessa Hallinan joined Office of Governor Ned Lamont and state leaders at Connecticut's Old State House to celebrate the launch of CT250 — Connecticut's statewide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Watch the Connecticut Network (CT-N) recording of the press conference at the link below — jump to 14:40 to hear Tessa read excerpts from the Revolutionary War-era diaries of Abigail and Elizabeth Foote of Colchester. https://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=26475

Explore the calendar of how all 169 Connecticut municipalities are commemorating America 250 at 250inCT.com.

America 250 CT Commission CT Humanities John Larson Visit Connecticut

⏰ Final hours of The Great Give! We’re so close to our goal—but we need your help! Click here to donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

The Connecticut Democracy Center runs civic education programs including Connecticut's Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day and programming at Connecticut's Old State House

Your support today ensures more students across Connecticut — especially those in school districts with fewer resources — can access our programs that help students build confidence, civic knowledge, and leadership skills.

Don’t miss your chance to make an impact before 8 PM tonight!

The Connecticut Democracy Center is proud to participate in The Great Give, a 36-hour online giving event supporting local nonprofits! Click here to donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

May 6 (8 AM) – May 7 (8 PM)

For 27 years, we’ve helped people across Connecticut become informed, engaged citizens through hands-on civic education programs including Connecticut's Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day and programming at Connecticut's Old State House.

Last year alone, we:

✔️ Registered 10,300+ fifth graders to vote in the Kid Governor election
✔️ Engaged 4,200+ students in Connecticut History Day
✔️ Partnered with 411 teachers statewide
But too many young people still lack access to these opportunities.

🎯 Our goal: Raise $20,000 to expand these programs in under-resourced communities.

Your gift helps empower the next generation of voters, leaders, and changemakers.

Give during The Great Give to help us unlock matching funds and prizes!
👉 Learn more & donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

📰👓Get an inside look at Tessa Hallinan's first few months serving as Connecticut's Kid Governor, featured on the Governing news and analysis outlet here:

https://www.governing.com/management-and-administration/meet-connecticuts-kid-governor

Writer Jule Pattison-Gordon highlights the impact the program has on students, according to Odyssey Community School teacher Carol Fellenstein, and how the platforms students choose to run on serve as a barometer for what real-life issues children worry about.

Meet Connecticut’s ‘Kid Governor’ Over 10,000 kids voted in Connecticut’s Kid Governor election.

Join Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut's Old State House for “Spotlight on Connecticut’s Next Generation of Civic Leaders,” a special Civic Learning Week webinar on Friday, March 13 at 6:30pm! Students across Connecticut are leading some of the state’s most impactful civic engagement initiatives. Hear from Antonia Kambolis (Voter Captains Project), Ryan Engels (CT Youth Political Advocacy Center), Izayah Ringfield (Yale College Democrats), and Idhaant Bhosle (Town of Rocky Hill) about their student-led civics work and leadership.

🔗 Register: https://ow.ly/guo350Ys1Ny

iCivics

Office of Governor Ned Lamont has proclaimed March 9-13 as Civic Learning Week in Connecticut and Connecticut Democracy Center is excited to lead the state's participation! Civic Learning Week brings together students, educators, policymakers, community leaders, and organizations to energize the movement for civic education.

We are celebrating with in-person and virtual programs and have compiled free civic learning resources from our partners. For details, visit ctdemocracycenter.org/civic-learning-week.

iCivics

Did you know that Kid Governor Tessa and her Cabinet Members have a blog? Throughout their 2026 term, they will post regular updates about their platforms to inform and inspire students, teachers, and readers of all ages! Read the students' first blog posts at CT.KidGovernor.org/ctkgtessa/blog

Kid Governor Tessa has launched her statewide poster contest! To advance her "Everyone Belongs" platform, she invites 5th graders to submit artwork that illustrates how their family welcomes and includes people with disabilities so everyone feels happy, safe, and like they belong.

The contest is a collaboration between Connecticut Democracy Center, CT Department of Children and Families, and CT Family Day. Submissions are due by Tuesday, March 31. Full details: CT.KidGovernor.org/ctkgtessa/poster