Home: Her Legacy & Scholarship

Nevertheless, Melissa (Missy) Persisted

Nevertheless, she persisted, an iconic expression now associated with contemporary, trailblazing women in their pursuit of justice, definitely immortalizes the character and accomplishments of Melissa Jean Schlag (aka “Missy”, “M”).

Well before Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, she personified persistence in everything she ever did in her personal and public life. She persisted as a fierce activist for land conservation, open government, the environment, youth mentoring at Save the Sound, civic journalism, and as a former First Selectman of Haddam.

You can find more indepth articles, awards, and testimony of how she persisted on this website. Below are a few highlights:

*To promote more open town government, Melissa began video recording Board of Selectman meetings in 2007. As a result of the broadcasts, more and more people began tuning in to local town government proceedings.

*She also served on the Haddam Bulletin, the town’s monthly civic magazine as an uncompromising journalist, editor, and designer.

*As a grassroots activist, she directed Stop the Swap, a multi-town protest that saved Clark Creek Wildlife Management Area,  17 acres of protected and publicly owned, pristine, Connecticut River land adjoining Eagle State Park in Haddam, that was slated to be transferred to private developers.

*As a political leader, Melissa networked with the Environmental Protection Agency and officials at the State Capitol to remove pollutants from the Higganum Cove so it could be enjoyed as a public park.

*She lobbied the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and CT River Conservancy to remove floating, fluorescent orange barriers that blocked the entrance of a public trust canal along the Connecticut River.

*Melissa was also instrumental in promoting the State purchase of 42 acres of the Kuiaski property in Higganum to be preserved as a State reserve, open to the public as woods and hiking trails.

* With extreme bravery, Melissa knelt during the Pledge of Allegiance in “extreme sorrow” for many negative issues she witnessed on the national level. She endured ridicule and threats, but also admiration and respect from those who understood her motives.

*Ever the good-neighbor, Melissa never gave up, even while battling cancer. Late in her illness, Melissa gathered her neighbors to spearhead a work party with the Haddam Historical Society and the owners of Spencer’s Shad Shack to restore the historical landmark on Route 154 in Haddam.

Persisting to serve her neighbors and work as an advocate until the last weeks of her life, Melissa passed away on October 2, 2020 at the age of 46. She accomplished more in her life than people twice her age.

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Reagan Aronson Earns Our 2026 Scholarship

The Melissa J. Schlag Good Citizenship Education Award, a $1,500 scholarship, was presented to Reagan Aronson of Higganum on June 8, 2026.

Reagan has demonstrated a strong commitment to journalism, public service, and informed citizenship throughout her high school career. Her leadership and work in Haddam-Killingworth High School’s broadcast media studio, along with her advanced studies in journalism and civics, have inspired her to continue pursuing these values by studying Political Journalism at American University this fall.

According to her guidance counselor, Emily Baerlein, “Reagan will not back down from a challenge in the classroom or in her life. Reagan has undertaken an extremely rigorous course schedule in high school, including managing our TV studio. At times, she has felt overwhelmed with everything on her plate, but she always perseveres, does the absolute best that she can do, and learns new skills along the way.”

Reagan chose to take AP U.S. Government and Politics online. “This is a very independent endeavor for Reagan; none of her peers at our school are enrolled in the class, and she is completing Advanced Placement work on her own. If Reagan wants to engage in a topic academically, she commits herself to learning at the highest level that she can,” Baerlein said.

Perhaps nothing encapsulates Reagan as a student more than her experience in HK’s TV studio. Reagan produced and directed HK’s live annual holiday show this year, a local tradition that typically raises tens of thousands of dollars for charity. She was also selected as a student vlogger for EF Tours, creating a short film documenting her trip to France. In addition, Reagan served as a reporter for the Cougar Chronicle, HK’s school newspaper, where she regularly contributed articles that inform and engage her fellow students.

Beyond her academic and journalistic pursuits, Reagan has demonstrated exceptional initiative and community involvement. She volunteered at the Special Olympics Volleyball Fundraiser, helping support athletes and promote inclusion. As a member of the Yale Polo Team, she balanced the demands of competitive athletics with her academic responsibilities. Reagan also launched her own photography business, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and dedication to serving her community.

Reagan seeks to ask important questions, challenge misinformation, uncover the truth, and help others better understand the world around them. She is committed to informing the public and encouraging critical thinking.

We commend Reagan’s curiosity, integrity, leadership, and dedication to making a positive difference through honest and responsible journalism, community service, and civic engagement. We are confident that she will carry forward the values Melissa championed throughout her life.

Please help us keep Missy’s great energy going and encourage the next generation to carry on with her same fervor and heart. Support for the MJS scholarship at https://middlesexcountycf.org/…/mjschlag-award-fund/. If you are planning a gathering, cocktail party or some other strategy to raise funds for this scholarship, please let us know so we can publicize it!

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Melissa’s Bench

Forty people gathered at the dedication of the Higganum Cove Preserve on Saturday, May 17, 2025 to celebrate its restoration. The Higganum Cove Commission and several volunteers since 2021, have made this nearly 13 acre site a true landmark for people, plants and animals to enjoy.

Friends of Melissa, especially Rob Smith of East Haddam, Tim McCane of Higganum, and Arthur Brooks Sons of Deep River, Inc. dedicated a bench made of Haddam granite in Melissa’s memory.

The 12.8-acre Higganum Cove was the site of various mills from the 1670s through the 1980s. The site has been occupied by various manufacturing operations since the 1840s. Processes historically performed include the dyeing of fabrics and yarn, and the production of bridge netting, boat paints, and mimeograph paper.
The property contained the demolished remains of a 19th century mill building, a chemical storage shed, pump house, demolished dam, water tower, water supply well, septic system, and 9.9 acres of tidal wetlands.   

The property was sold in 1983 and it passed through a number of owners before burning to the ground in 1989.  One of the last owners allowed  a company to illegally dump industrial waste and debris on the site, right down to the cove itself. 

Because of all the industrial use and the illegal dumping the Cove had large-scale soil contamination of PCBs and other toxic pollutants. 

For many years, different studies were made and the Cove was declared a superfund site, but nothing major happened—until Melissa Schlag got involved. 

In August of 2013, during her term as Haddam’s First Selectman, Melissa contacted the EPA making them aware that the public, with many young people were using the area. This triggered a response from EPA under the Emergency Response and Removal Program. The EPA then invested $3,700,000 to clean up and remediate the cove in 2015. 

The clean-up included the removal of 8,000 tons of contaminated soil and debris, including efforts to revitalize the marsh for animal life. After thorough soil and water testing and with the town’s acquisition of the property, the Cove can remain a community site for years to come.

Higganum Cove Preserve, 19 Nosal Road, Higganum is adjacent to Higganum Creek. It is approximately 1,200 feet west of the Connecticut River, and just northeast of the intersection of Depot Road and Dublin Hill Road.  

See more at Haddam.org

Friends of Higganum Cove on Facebook

Our First Scholarship Recipient Moves On to Law School!

Hooray for Kelsey Lonergan, our first Melissa Schlag scholarship recipient (‘21) who just graduated from Boston College and will be continuing her studies at Northeastern Law School this fall! Go, Kelsey! We are so proud of you! We know Melissa would be, too.