But the fall 2008 production was especially special.
For “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” directors David Roth and Kerry Long made an inspired cast choice.
Principal John Dodig delivered a tour de force — and, to some audience members, unexpected — performance, near the end of the musical.
Many did not know that the popular educator had experience in community theater. Watch his “Brotherhood of Man” number here, or below — taped and edited by former media teacher Jim Honeycutt — to see.
Dodig retired a decade ago. But some fellow cast members — all decades younger — have gone on to remarkable careers, in the entertainment world. For example:
Max Stampa-Brownappeared in “The Third Man,” “FREUD” and “The Garret East,” after studying acting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He now works as a mixologist at Borochito in NYC.
Eva Hendricks is a lead singer, and Dan Shure plays bass, in Charley Bliss, a successful New York band. Their current release is “Back There Now.”
David Ressler is an actor and singer currently performing in a Bay Area Opera Collaborative production of “Pirates of Penzance.”
Chris McNiff is an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer based in New York. Notable credits include Phil Davis in “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” Don Lockwood in “Singin’ in the Rain,” and Claude in “Hair.”
Brittany (Uomoleale) Baronis an actress, best known for her role as Justine Biagi in the TV series “GLOW,” and for voicing Tifa Lockhart in the “Final Fantasy VII Remake” franchise, for which she received an award for Best Supporting Performance.
Zoe Apoianis a model, an actress and dancer. She starred in the 2015 movie “Karina Jones: Lazy.”
Matthew Van Gessel is an actor, director and writer based in New York. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”
Max Samuelsis a New York-based stage and screen actor known for his roles in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” He also appeared in “George Kaplan,” “Angry Young Man,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”
When Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana opens at 361 Post Road West — formerly the Naan restaurant — on June 1, it may seem like an Italian restaurant replacing an Indian one. (Which previously took over from Kibberia, a Middle Eastern spot.)
Residents with longer memories will recall that for many years, the space was occupied by John’s Best Pizza. So — like a big pizza pie — things are coming full circle.
But Frank Pepe has been around the block far longer than John’s Best. The “Original New Haven Apizza” place opened in 1925, on Wooster Street.
The Westport location — its 18th nationally, and 9th in Connecticut –features a large coal-fired oven, enclosed with a cast iron door that matches the original one in New Haven location. The dining room seats 110.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria will be open every day, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Takeout, delivery and catering ordering is available here. Diners get $10 in their account by signing up signing up here, or downloading the Frank Pepe Pizzeria app.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the Board of Finance will set the town’s mill/tax rate.
That’s item 6 on the agenda. They’ll also hear:
A request for additional funds to cover legal expenses, due to an atypical cost overrun. The item allows residents to glimpse the type of litigation the town faces (agenda item 8).
Funding to prepare the 2027 Plan of Conservation and Development. The state requires each town to create this, every 10 years. The POCD is important, as Westport thinks about housing in the years ahead (agenda item 9).
In addition, the Board of Finance will hold office hours this Thursday (May 21, 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.), Westport Library room 213). The public is invited to meet a member, and ask questions about any aspect of the board, and public finances.
Railroad station parking permits expire on June 30.
To renew a railroad permit, click here. Then click the “Permit” icon at the top of the page. Double-check that your email address is correct.
All renewals are online, or dropped off in the Police Department lobby. Drop-offs require cash or a check made out to “Town of Westport – Railroad Parking,” and a copy of the current vehicle registration(s). The Police lobby is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Time to renew! (Photo/Elle Bowe)
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Weston 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor took a big step toward a new job last night.
She earned the Democratic Party endorsement to run for the State Senate’s 26th District. She captured 48 delegate votes, nearly twice as many as State Representative Lucy Dathan. A primary is set for August 11.
The winner will face a Republican opponent in November: Westporter Alma Sarelli.
Prospect Gardens — the spectacular 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space featuring flowers, plants — is open to public on Sunday, May 31 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The event is a partnership with the national Garden Conservancy.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner will there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members will explain how they plant, tend and harvest the 3-tiered vegetable garden. Last season, their harvest of over 1000 pounds was donated to local organizations that feed families in need.
Prospect Gardens dates back to an 1812 Victorian farmhouse and onion farm. Property acquisitions over the past 20 years have created the current gardens. Mature deciduous and evergreen trees create a sweeping canvas.
Key features include a Mediterranean entry garden, 2 orchards, berry houses, bee hives, perennial garden, shady woodland walk, conifer collection, numerous flowering shrub and grass borders, a Japanese-inspired meditation garden and maple collection, citrus and cacti, a glasshouse, sculptures, 1-acre perennial/ native wildflower meadow, and a 4-tiered grassy amphitheater with a stone-medallioned stage.
The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be fresh off an appearance 2 days earlier at New York’s Birdland Club.
The Westport Weston Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting items for their Crisis Center.
They need toothbrushes, toothpaste, menstrual products, deodorant, lotion, soap and body wash, shaving gel, shampoo and conditioner, and hair care products.
Drop-off locations are the Westport and Weston police stations.
To purchase items directly through an Amazon wish list, click here.
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Anyone can get scammed.
Before scammers hack your accounts, they hack your emotions.
In response, Westport’s E3 Wealth Advisory Group is sponsoring a 30-minute webinar. Attendees will learn how to recognize emotional manipulation, before they react.
It’s repeated 4 times: 12 noon and 2 p.m., tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) and next Wednesday (May 27). Click here to register.
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Singer Melissa Newman — Westport’s own, and a Jazz at the Post favorite — kicks off their first-ever Voices of Spring festival this Thursday (May 21, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7; VFW Post 399).
“Then & Now” — our “06880” series featuring Dave Matlow’s photos of pre-demolition Westport homes, and the houses that replace them — has drawn plenty of interest.
Some readers lament the loss of smaller structures, and a different streetscape. Some say, “good riddance.”
Some bemoan the new style of architecture. Others like it.
Many also wonder: We’ve got a Historic District Commission. What exactly does it do?
Three years ago, “06880” ran a comprehensive story on that exact topic. Now seems a good time to revisit it.
Then-chair Grayson Braun and vice chair Scott Springer offered a brief “Historic District Commission 101” intro course. (Ben Levites is the current chair. Braun is now vice chair. Springer’s term expired last November.)
They noted that the HDC is a volunteer organization. Members are appointed by the 1st selectperson.
The commission has an office in Town Hall, and is supported by an administrator — currently Donna Douglass — who is a town employee.
The HDC offers support and guidance to help property owners, in the service of historic preservation.
Grayson Braun
Braun’s route to the commission was typical. She and her husband moved to Westport in 1997, for “the historic feel and character” of the town. When a developer planned a project for their Gorham Avenue neighborhood, she worked with the HDC to gain “Local Historic District” status for the area, making demolition more difficult. In 2009, she joined the board.
Braun stresses: Their work is, by town and state ordinance, strictly advisory. They collaborate with other town agencies, like the Architectural Review Board, to establish Local Historic Districts and designate Local Historic Properties.
But they cannot unilaterally stop teardowns.
The only time the HDC can prevent demolition is if a property is designated as a local historic property or a local historic district.
When a homeowner, commercial property owner or developer of any other building 50 years or older (and 500 square feet or larger) requests a demolition permit, there is an automatic 180-day waiting period.
They can apply to the HDC for a waiver. The HDC can uphold or deny that request.
That 6-month period is the maximum allowed by state regulation. Many municipalities adopted a shorter waiting time.
If the HDC denies the request, the goal is for something to happen in those 6 months. A stakeholder can come forward with an alternative to demolition. An architect may come up with a plan for zoning relief, in return for preservation.
Those things happen.
Owners Blanca and Suni Hirani of 19 Soundview Drive, for example, originally applied for a demolition permit. They were approved for a new house, with a completely new design.
But during the 180-day period, they reimagined what they wanted. They updated the structure, while keeping the outside look. The result is impressive. And it earned the owners an HDC Preservation Award.
19 Soundview Drive – before (left) and after preservation.
Another Preservation Award went to 8 Mayflower Parkway. It too was a property whose 180-day waiting period was upheld. During that time, builder David Vynerib decided the structure was worth saving — and came up with a plan.
8 Mayflower Parkway, after renovation.
The Historic District Commission pays particular attention to the street-facing part of a property. When Michael and Kim Ronemus wanted to renovate 113 Cross Highway — once a gas station, house and outbuildings just west of North Avenue — the HDC helped them retain the exterior, while adding a modern extension in back.
Braun and Springer know the public is often confused when they see a “historic plaque” on a house, and assume that’s an official designation.
It’s not. Those markers are provided by the Westport Museum for History & Culture (for a fee). The program is separate from the Historic District Commission.
The HDC’s work extends to commercial properties. One recent example: work done on the former Remarkable Book Shop/Talbots/Local to Market building, on Main Street at Parker Harding Plaza. It has been reimagined as Eleish van Breems.
The HDC also oversees Westport’s 7 Local Historic Districts. They range from 4 properties on Morningside Drive South (formerly owned by artists Walter and Naiad Einsel) to about 40 homes on and around Kings Highway North.
The other Local Historic Districts are Evergreen Avenue, Gorham Avenue, Jesup Road, Lincoln Street/Riverside Avenue, and Violet Lane.
(Photo/Morley Boyd)
The HDC website says:
Local historic designation assists in the retention and enhancement of property values by providing a stable market in which to invest. It creates community pride, fosters neighborhood stabilization and enhances the appearance and authentic character of a designated area.
Building materials and natural resources expended in original construction retain their usefulness and rehabilitation itself uses less energy and raw materials than new construction. Restoration conserves energy and materials while reinforcing already environmentally sustainable neighborhoods.
Two-thirds of the owners in an area must approve a vote to become a Local Historic District. That designation offers a degree of protection for exterior (street-facing) alterations.
However, it’s not something all owners want. A proposal to add Sniffen Road, off Clinton Avenue, to the list went nowhere. A number of homeowners felt the designation would prohibit them from selling their houses to developers, as teardowns.
Braun notes, “There are rules for everything in town. No matter how old or new your property is, you can’t just start adding on without a permit.
“The HDC has an extensive review process, but we’re no more restrictive than other rules. We realize people want to do work on their property. We are always happy to help. We even schedule pre-application and special meetings, outside of our monthly ones.”
(To learn more about the Historic District Commission, click here.)
(“06880” explains Westport, to newcomers and old-timers alike. If you appreciate our work, please support us with a donation. Click here — and thank you!)
Nolan Francis is one of just 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars in the country. (Never heard of it? It used to be called the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. It’s one of the most prestigious high school honors in any field.)
Nolan Francis
That’s very cool. But Nolan is just one of many Staples High students to receive recognition this year.
He and his classmates have received a host of honors this year, in many science-related areas. For example:
Science Research Course
16 of 21 students (76%) were recognized at one or more science fairs this year.
Staples students submitted work to 7 different science fairs or competitions
High School Science & Humanities Symposium at UConn Health
80 Staples students applied to present their research. 16 were selected to give an oral presentation.
Nolan Francis earned special merit for his oral competition
Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair
Sofia DiLeo took 3rd place in the Petit Family Foundation Women in Science and Engineering Awards, and won the University of Connecticut-Early College Experience Award
Leah Dombrow won first honors (top 20% in life science) for her Life Sciences project, and placed in the top 20% in the Petit Family Foundation Women in Science
Nolan Francis placed in the top 20% in the Jackson Laboratory Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Awards
Jay Hari won first honors (top 20% in life science) for his Life Sciences project
Ezra Schwartz won first honors (top 20% in life science) for his project in Life Sciences, and the JA Augustine and Glista Special Award
Sienna Schwartz placed in the top 20% for the Petit Family Foundation Women in Science
Staples students, at the NCC Science Fair.
CT-STEM: virtual science fair
Four students competed in completed projects, while 17 students competed in the proposal category.
Nathaniel Armstrong, proposal, physical science, 3rd place
Serena Diamond, completed project, physical science category, 2nd place
Altay Erucar-Mathews, proposal, environmental category, 4th place
Noa Katz, proposal, behavior category, 1st place
Ishan Pasham, proposal, physical science, tied for 1st place
William Kwong, proposal, environmental category, 1st place
Jessica Willis, proposal, physical science, tied for 1st place
NCC Science Fair: live science fair
Nathaniel Armstrong won 2nd place overall
Leah Dombrow received honorable mention (top 10%)
Aanya Shrivastava received honorable mention (top 10%)
13th International Young Researchers’ Conference 2026
2 students were selected to orally present their research at a Virtual Conference:
Hayley Epstein
Elise Yan
Southern Connecticut State University Research Day
5 second year dual-enrolled SCSU students (Nolan Francis, Jay Hari, William Kwong, Ezra Schwartz, Elise Yan) presented their research alongside undergraduates. Nolan won first place in the Honors College at the SCSU Undergraduate Student Research and Creativity Conference.
List of Projects
Nate Armstrong: The Effect of Surface Texture on the Aerodynamic Drag of 3D-Printed Rocket Nose Cones
Lily Bottner: The Effect of Increased Temperature and Salinity on H. Exemplaris to Evaluate Tolerance Limits and Understand the Impact of Multiple Simultaneous Climate Changes
Serena Diamond: A Direct Comparison of Vision Transformers (ViT) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for Exoplanet Transit Classification
Sofia DiLeo: Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Improving Motor Neuron Health in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Leah Dombrow: The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and Epigallocatechin Gallate on Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in Caenorhabditis elegans to Treat Parkinson’s Disease
Hayley Epstein: Evaluating Caffeine and the Antioxidant Chlorogenic Acid (components of coffee) on Depression in a Drosophila Model
Altay Eruçar-Matthews: Reducing Algal Growth of Chlorella Vulgaris by Chemically Inhibiting the Absorption of Nutrients with Humic Acid
Alex Fetner: Effects of Probiotics Pediococcus acidilactici and Bifidobacterium longum on the Fat Accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans with Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Nolan Francis: Vitamin D3 Supplementation Ameliorates Muscle Degeneration through Calcium Regulation in a C. elegans Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Jay Hari: Discovering Novel Targets for the FMN Riboswitch to Test the Utility of Computational RNA-folding Methods to Address Multidrug Antibiotic Resistance
Noa Katz: Intergenerational Effects of Isolation on Hsp70 Expression in Drosophila Melanogaster to Understand the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Stress Response
William Kwong: The activation of SKN-1 via the RNAi knockdown of wdr-23 to reduce oxidative stress from microplastics in Caenorhabditis elegans
Ana Losic:Evaluating the Neurobiological Effects Of Stevia in an Amyloid-β Based Drosophila model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Vani Punia: Evaluating Toxicity of Natural and Synthetic Dyes in Caenorhabditis elegans: Identifying Safer Options for Consumables
Ezra Schwartz: Using a novel Bidirectional Neural Network for advanced early detection of Black Cutworms on Bush Beans
Sienna Schwartz: Can Your Diet Protect Against Microplastics? Discovering the Impact of Probiotic E. coli Strains on Microplastic-Induced Toxicity in C. elegans
Aanya Shrivastava: Effect of Batch Emulsion Speed on Hydrogel Microparticle Size to Improve Bovine Serum Albumin Release Kinetics in a Simulated Bloodstream and Support Blood Supply Solutions
Jessica Willis: Classifying Cataclysmic Variable Candidates Through a Multi-Time Scale Analysis of AAVSO Photometric Light Curves
Elise Yan: Enhancing Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) stability by inserting it in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) in C. elegans to determine its Potential Role in Breast Cancer Treatment
List of Proposals
Sierra Denkin: Effect of Combined Intermittent Fasting and Curcumin Treatment on Colon Cancer in Drosophila Melanogaster
Ishan Pasham: Effect of innovative design using additive manufacturing on discreet body armor to improve EMS safety and cost efficiency
For a town in which Democrats outnumber Republicans more than 2 to 1, the GOP here punches above its weight on a statewide basis.
Meeting this weekend at Mohegan Sun, Republicans nominated 2 Westporters for Connecticut office.
Former 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker is the choice for comptroller. Current Planning & Zoning Commissioner John Bolton got the nod for attorney general.
Both face uphill battles against incumbents Sean Scanlon and William Tong, respectively. In Connecticut, Democrats outnumber Republicans 792,800 to 490,000. (The largest group, however, is unaffiliated/other: 970,000.)
There was one other Westport connection at the GOP convention. In the governor’s contest, State Senator Ryan Fazio got 92% of the vote against fellow Greenwich resident Betsy McCaughey. She fell far short of the 15% needed to force a primary.
McCaughey is a Newsmax host, and former New York lieutenant governor. The 77-year-old grew up in Westport, and attended public schools here — including Staples High — through 10th grade.
The rest of the Republican underticket is not far from Westport, either. Peter Lumaj of Fairfield was nominated for secretary of the state, while Fred Wilms of Norwalk won the nod for treasurer.
In addition, the GOP endorsed Dr. Michael Goldstein of Greenwich to run against Congressman Jim Himes, in the 4th District that includes Westport. Dan Miressi of Wilton won enough votes to qualify for a primary.
Every elementary school kid in town, it seemed, raced onto PJ Romano Field yesterday morning, for the 7th annual Day of Champions.
Their parents were there too. All were decked out in costumes — just one part of the offbeat, fun and very important competition.
In just a few years, the Day of Champions has become one of Westport’s favorite traditions.
Getting ready to compete …
The event raised over $275,000 for Experience Camps, the Westport-based network of activities for children who have lost parents or siblings. That’s a (great) record!
Before the zany games began, a 13-year-old Fairfield girl who lost her father spoke movingly about the friends she made at Experience Camps, the joy she found there, and the important role it plays in helping her deal with grief.
… wearing all kinds of costumes …
Josh Shapiro was honored as a “Red, White & Blue Champion,” for his role in securing a 6-figure grant for Experience Camps.
So who was the big winner, when all the games were over?
Experience Camps, for sure.
… and gathering for a group photo. (All photos/Dan Woog)
Screenshot from Ring video. He drove a silver Prius, with no front license plate.
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A few tickets remain for tomorrow’s (Tuesday, 7 p.m.) evening of music with Audra McDonald, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
This is an encore performance for the Emmy, Grammy and 6-time Tony Award winner. The singer/actor — a National Medal of Arts recipient, and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People — last appeared here in February of 2024.
After months of meh (and much worse) weekend weather, this one was glorious.
With the temperature well into the 80s, with bountiful sunshine, Compo Beach was packed.
And though it was a Sunday — and work and school beckoned — folks lingered long into the evening.
(Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Is this the start of 4 months of perfect weekends?
Hey … a boy can dream.
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As childhood friends, Westporter Allison Monson and Amanda Schwartz, a Westchester-based have good vibes.
Which is why the pair — Allison, who moved here in 2020, and Amanda, a Westchester-based psychologist — have named their new venture Good Vibez.
Amanda has long dreamed of creating a positive, engaging space where girls can build lifelong wellness skills in a fun and supportive environment. Together, Good Vibez Teen Wellness Retreats can make that vision a reality.
Designed for girls ages 11–15, they focus on helping teens build healthy habits, boost confidence, and learn practical tools to help them feel their best, while having fun.
Each retreat experience is led by a team of professionals, and includes activities like yoga, mindfulness and meditation practices, cooking lessons, creative and artistic projects, group discussions, and opportunities for reflection and connection.
Allison Monson and Amanda Schwartz share Good Vibez.
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At Staples, Class of 1988 friends Peter Doolittle, Jem Sollinger, George Llorens and Will O’Toole won a Fairfield County wiffleball tournament.
The prize was one hour of air time on WWPT-FM — the high school station.
They formed a band. Hey, why not?!
After a few practices in classmate Steve Swann’s basement, G & the Bones were born.
Unsurprisingly, none went on to music careers. Scattered now throughout New England, they do things like run a restaurant, and a summer camp.
But on May 30 (8:30 p.m.), they’ll reunite at Little Pub @ Dunville’s.
The “Billy Bash” is a tribute to their friend and “band manager” Bill Westcott, who died in 2024.
The public is invited. It’s the reunion no one may have been waiting for — but it should be a great one.
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Lucky Brand went bankrupt in 2020. They closed their Main Street store then. (It became La Fenice. The gelato shop is also no longer in business.)
But Lucky Brand iscoming back. A sign on the vacant Express Edit space — next to Gap — promises it is “coming soon.” (The exact date, we hear, is June 19.)
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
Let’s hope the brand has more luck the second time.
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Internationally renowned pianist (and former longtime Westporter) Frederic Chiu and his niece, rising star violinist Karisa Chiu, transformed MoCA\CT’s galleries into into a compelling performance space on Saturday night.
Karisa recently debuted at Carnegie Hall. She paired beautifully with her uncle’s thoughtful, colorful interpretations.
They played selections from Fauré, Prokofiev and Bright Sheng, in an intimate, family way.
Veronica Roda — the wife of longtime Westport Parks & Recreation official Carmen Roda — died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on May 13. She was 59 years old. on May (59) of Norwalk peacefully entered into Heaven on May 13, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family.
The Queens native moved at 9 to Norwalk, where she lived the rest of her life. Veronica studied dance from age 2 to 18, specializing in tap, jazz and ballet. She was a gymnast at her alma mater, Norwalk High School.
Her family says, “Veronica’s greatest joy was being a mom and raising her children, Samantha and Matthew. She adored and loved them deeply.”
She met Carmen in 2011. For the next decade they built a fast-paced, joy-filled life of travel and memories — from California and Aruba to live shows like “Dancing with the Stars.”
Veronica began working as an executive recruiter. She then built a successful career in the cosmetics and beauty industry with Lancôme, Origins, Estée Lauder and L’Oréal Fragrances.
A career highlight was launching Origins at Bergdorf Goodman in New York in 1990, and meeting Estée Lauder.
She later worked as an account executive for Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s. In 2013 she transitioned to wellness, serving as manager at several Kaia Yoga studios in Fairfield County.
Veronica is survived by her husband Carmen Roda, daughter Samantha Schwartz, son Matthew Schwartz, brother Victor Casazza, and father John Lindquest.
A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church on the Green, Norwalk on Wednesday (May 20, 2 p.m.).
Hundreds of man’s best friends fetched their humans to Winslow Park yesterday.
The 10th annual Dog Festival was blessed with the best weather in months.
The guests of honor were blessed with an obstacle course, contests, treats, and the chance to sniff more other dogs (and people) than they ever dreamed possible.
“06880” photographer Quinn Fitts trotted down to the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event.
Though every dog has its day, she unfortunately could not capture all of them. Here are some favorites:
(If it’s a story involving humans or animals — or the beach, a bridge, or anything else in town — you’ll read all about it on “06880.” We rely on reader support, so please click here to help. Thank you!)
He wants his peers — and everyone else — to be as excited as he is.
Sauraj Singh
But when the Staples High School senior went looking for a financial literacy platform that could educate and inspire potential investors, he found them lacking.
So he created his own.
InvestiSight focuses on financial education at the fundamental level. It is beginner friendly.
But it transitions into advanced territory too. There is an enormous wealth (ho ho) of information to be found.
InvestiSight features 3 key elements
Comprehensive Learning Hub: 6 modules with lessons pertaining to financial knowledge, from basic compounding to discounted cash flow modeling.
Interactive Trading Simulator: parallels the US stock market in real time. It includes data storage for cross-device tracking, and has an AI portfolio health auditor that provides feedback on diversification and risk management. (For example: “too much reliance on one sector.”)
SEC Filings Search Tool: Pulls raw 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and DEF 14A datea from the EDGAR database, encouraging users to research primary sources.
Oh, yeah: It’s free to users.
Screenshot from the Trading Simulator page.
InvestiSight — which already has several thousand users, in over 30 countries — would be quite an accomplishment for anyone.
For a 12th grader, it is extraordinary.
But it’s just one of Sauraj’s projects. He’s also co-president of Staples’ AI Club, vice president of the Sikorsky Stem Challenge, and a team leader for the school’s Investment & Trading Society.
He began building InvesiSight last summer. “Financial literacy is a skill that goes a long way,” he explains. “Financial knowledge plays a huge role in the trajectory of life.”
Though Staples offers a Financial Literacy course, Sauraj wanted to reach more peers — and anyone else who might not know where or how to start in the stock market.
The site — clear, clean, professional, deep and broad — does not look like it was designed by a teenager. Then again, Sauraj’s knowledge of stocks and investing is far beyond that of most high school students.
And many adults.
As for monetization: Sauraj says the platform is primarily intended to remain free. However, he’s exploring the potential to implement a premium, educational tier called InvestiSight Pro.
It would lie behind a cheap, subscription-based paywall with an AI model that analyzes portfolio holdings, and summarizes daily financial news pertaining to various sectors of interest for serious investors.
Sauraj’s project is — like the markets themselves — dynamic, and constantly changing. His most recent module addition, for example, covers real world skills like W-2/W-4 tax onboarding, credit scores and budgeting.
Also new: a Macro Stress Tester within the trading simulator. It lets users test their portfolios against major historical bull and bear markets, like the 2008 financial crisis.
As for college: That can wait.
Sauraj will take a gap year. He’ll complete a marketing internship at LifeCare Concierge, and hopes to secure an apprenticeship under a former Wall Street portfolio manager to deepen his market analysis skills.
Sauraj will I’ll also work part time, to establish financial independence.
But that’s not all. He will take independent coursework grounded in data science and AI, volunteer locally, and travel later in the year.
Of course, Sauraj will continue to hone his platform — and educate his peers, and anyone else hoping to become financially literate.
(“06880” often highlights the accomplishments of Westport’s young people, in a wide range of activities. If you enjoy stories like these — or anything else — please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
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Also new: a Macro Stress Tester within the trading simulator. It lets users test their portfolios against major historical bull and bear markets, like the 2008 financial crisis.