Amy Wiltsie and LaShante James
Sources: Central Connecticut Coast YMCA; Brien McMahon High School
Amy Wiltsie: Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Announces Amy Wiltsie as New Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer. In this newly created role, Wiltsie will be responsible for all aspects of advancement, including fiscal development, annual and capital campaigns as well as marketing and communications strategies.
“Amy has devoted her career to fostering meaningful community initiatives and has driven sustainable organizational growth to benefit youth, adults and families throughout Connecticut,” said Timothy Bartlett, CCCY President & CEO. “Amy is the perfect person to build and nurture relationships with corporate, community and individuals to significantly advance the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA’s mission.”
Wiltsie joined the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA in 2018, she is a certified YMCA of the USA Organizational Leader with a Master of Human Services degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Post University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. As an active community leader, she has served for the Stratford Board of Education, Stratford PTSA and the Stratford Rotary Club and serves on the Vicki Soto Memorial Foundation, Stratford Forward and Renew Counseling boards.
LaShante James, assistant principal of Brien McMahon High School (BMHS) in Norwalk, has been selected as the 2025 CAS High School Assistant Principal of the Year. This honor highlights her transformational leadership and tireless advocacy for students and staff. “LaShante is the definition of the 21st century leader,” states fellow BMHS assistant principal, Qadir Abdus-Salaam.“She is an administrator for now and the future.” Adds BHMS School Counselor Chad Southerland, “If someone was going to write a book about how to be a good administrator, it should be about LaShante.”
James, a Stratford resident, when informed of her selection as this year’s winner, James remarked, “I am honored to receive this award and to have the support of the Norwalk Public Schools community. The acknowledgment is a reflection of our collective work for our students, and I am so grateful to bring this award home to Norwalk and to Brien McMahon High School!”
James’ colleagues describe her as a “big ball of energy” who is always ready to turn challenges into opportunities. They affectionately refer to her as “Mrs. Do-It-All” and admire her conscientious efforts to make sure everyone’s needs are met. “LaShante is the hardest working administrator in the building. From the minute she gets up in the morning until the moment she goes to sleep, she is thinking about the best job she can do for her students and staff. She never stops,” remarks Eileen Kinne, Health and Physical Education teacher.
One of James’ signature accomplishments is the creation of the “My Sister’s Keeper” program, an extension of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. Built from the ground up, this initiative now serves 120 students, empowering them to envision brighter futures and build the skills to achieve them. Her efforts and impact extend to the broader student population through her work as the RISE Network administrator and leader of the school’s attendance committee, both of which have contributed to improved graduation rates. Notes Abdus-Salaam, “LaShante’s work with the RISE program has fostered a “can do” atmosphere with teachers believing in students and students believing in themselves.”
James will represent Connecticut in the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award Program sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. They will compete for the national honor along with assistant principals from each of the other fifty states, as well as the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity Associations.
