Sen. Kissel Welcomes Enfield High’s Spanish Exchange Students to Capitol

Visiting students and teachers from Valladolid, Spain presented Sen. John A. Kissel with an honorary plaque during their Oct. 11 State Capitol visit. Valladolid is an historic city in the north-central portion of the country. Pictured (l to r) are: Asun Dominguez (teacher), Sen. John A. Kissel, Mario Calle (student) and Teresa Blanco (teacher).

On October 11, Enfield High School’s World Language Department Chair Linda Dalpe brought a group of Spanish exchange students to the State Capitol in Hartford.

The students, who are from Valladolid, Spain, were given a tour of the Senate Chamber by State Sen. John A. Kissel.

Kissel explained the legislative process to the students and discussed how senate debates are conducted. The students were allowed to sit in the Charter Oak Chair, which stands on the dais in the Senate Chamber. The chair, also called “The Wishing Chair,” was carved in 1857 from the fallen Charter Oak tree, which in 1687 hid the self-governing charter given to the Connecticut colony by King Charles II in 1662. The Charter was hidden to prevent British officials from returning it to King James II. One by one, students were allowed to briefly sit in “The Wishing Chair” and make a wish.

“I think it was a positive experience for the students,” Kissel said. “Linda Dalpe has developed an excellent partnership between Enfield and Spain, and our communities have benefitted from her department’s hard work. I hope all of the students’ wishes come true.”