Cromwell seventh-grader's words spark 'hope' for Sen. Chris Murphy FacebookTwitterEmail U.S. Sen. Chris MurphyGetty Images CROMWELL — A local seventh-grader gas become a voice of “hope” for one Connecticut’s U.S. senators, and a source of pride for the town’s school district. Cole Leavitt was a winner in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. Cole’s essay was chosen from nearly 2,800 submissions statewide, school officials said. In all, 15 students from elementary, middle and high schools across the state were recognized for their essays in what is now the fifth year of Murphy’s annual essay contest. Three students were chosen from each of the state’s five congressional districts.