Staples High School’s 25th annual Scholar-Athlete dinner last night was — as always — a highlight of graduation week.
Athletic director VJ Sarullo and coaches presented plaques to one senior from each varsity sport. They were honored for their achievements beyond the field, court, track or pool. They were leaders in the classroom too, and the community.
Each answered one question about their academic interests, passions and hobbies. Those ranged from cancer research with fruit flies to ballroom dancing; from using a 3D printer to create prosthetic limbs, to gardening.
There are 40 varsity sports at Staples. Fall honorees were Sawyer Dalzell, Annabel Edwards, Tyla Ozgen, Perrin Root, Samantha Sandrew, Megan Sargent, Danielle Schwartz, Leo Skatoff, Aidan Stubbs, Grace Zhang and Sam Zwick-Lavinsky.
Winter sports honorees were Sofia Alarcon-Frias, Alessandro Alderucci, Rhiya Anand, Will Boberski, Audrey Curtis, Josh Ginsburg, Alexandra Hackett, Ella Harrington, Alexis Krenzer, Cooper Paul, Katherine Phelps, Tyler Signorile, Adam Udell, Evan Wallitt and Ben Zwick.
Spring sports honorees were Mark Adipietro, Nina Bowens, Ben Cukier, Shreyas Gorre, Madeline Hendley, Nate Hordon, Sophia Novello, Rachel Pontoriero, Cameron Prior, Vivian Shamie, Ryan Tzou, Edward van der Merwe and Sadie Vincini.
Sarullo handed out other awards too. The athletic department’s top 2 honors — the Thomas DeHuff and Jinny Parker Awards — went to Jake Goldshore and Addison Coughlin, respectively.
Laddie Lawrence Foundation scholarships of $7,000 each were presented to Sam Rondon, Preston Sirok and Sam Zwick-Lavinsky.
Nolan Francis won the Junior Leadership Award.
FCIAC Life Teammate Awards went to Brian Divino and Molly Whittle.
Prepzone founder Steve Divino and longtime trainer Corey Iamonico received Staples Athletics Appreciation Awards.
Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo, and trainer Corey Iamonico. (Photo/Michelle Garrity)
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Speaking of sports: James Delorey sends this “love letter to Westport Little League”:
“On Saturday, the Westport Little League presented Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Awards in each of the league’s 4 divisions. What a beautiful day!
“Players nominate the teammate they believe exemplifies sportsmanship and effort to improve. The coaches say the kids ‘get it,’ and always seem to nominate players who, like Perrin, may not the star players but support their teammates and do their best to improve their game.
“Seven years ago this month — even before Perrin’s funeral had taken place — Westport Little League held a moving celebration of his life. They retired his Cubs #5 on the wall of Kowalsky Field, where he played his last game days before, and announced their intention to make sure players and their families remembered him and his spirit.
“Every year we hear from the Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award nominees, and the winners and their families, about how much this award means to them.
“Yesterday Perrin’s sisters Mireille and Elodie got to celebrate with some of the nominees and winners — including one who lives on our road and who never met Perrin — and hear how Perrin’s memory is now a meaningful part of their lives. Tears now as I write.
“Our family is so grateful to Westport Little League and to the players, coaches and families who join, give, volunteer, and do their best to build a community of good. Play ball!”
AA Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Rivington Hall (holding plaque), with fellow AA Division nominees, Perrin’s father James, and sisters Mireille and Elodie Delorey. (Photo/Adam Hall)
Presentation to AAA Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Benjamin Gionfriddo. (Photo/Brian Marcucio )
A Division nominees with Perrin’s friend, Staples High School junior Harrison Sydor. Finnegan McDuffie (not pictured) was the A Division winner. Other nominees were (from left) James Ettinger, Patrick Downing, Kyle McInerny and Colton Galati. Also not shown: Royal Anderson. (Photo/Brian Marcucio)
Majors Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Sam Katz. (Photo/Bill Ryan)
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Saugatuck Congregational Church celebrated Pride yesterday, with a fun-filled event on their broad front lawn.
The day included music, games, food, a cakewalk … and of course a rainbow-colored bounce house.
(Photos/Lois Himes)
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Congratulations to Jordan O’Brien!
One of the founding members of the all-female Troop 139, just finishing her junior year at Staples, she had her Eagle Court of Honor yesterday.
Jordan’s parents are heavily involved in scouting. Katherine O’Brien served as Troop 139 scoutmaster for many years, while her father Andy O’Brien is scoutmaster of Troop 36 (where Jordan’s 2 brothers are also Scouts.)
Jordan O’Brien (center) and her family. (Hat tip and photo/Maggie Gomez)
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Sunny the Duck is back!
He/she/it is out advertising the Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Great Duck Race, at Hartford HealthCare on the Post Road.
The event is June 28, at Jesup Green. For details — and a chance to win some of the $10,000 in prizes — click here.
(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)
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Werner Liepolt says: “Respect your local snapping turtle” — especially during egg laying season. “She can easily snap off a finger, or a dog’s nosy nose.”
He “snapped” today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo on Green Acre Lane.
(Photo/Werner Liepolt)
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And finally … Roger Nichols died last month, at his Oregon home. He was 84.
You may not know his name. But if you were alive in the 1970s — or have ever been to a wedding — you certainly know the best-selling song he wrote:
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What a lovely tribute to honor Perrin’s memory. And how fitting that one of the honorees is another kid on Drumlin who loves baseball.
Honoring the memory of a great kid (Perrin) from a wonderful Westport family (the Delorey/Ryans) by recognizing “the value of sportsmanship and the desire to improve” is a fitting legacy all our athletes would do well to learn and to strive for.
Dan do you subscribe to the World Obituary list?
Yes, Westport is being invaded by DUCKS! The photo shown is of Little Ralphie, named for Rotarian Ralph Kreuger, who created the idea of giant inflatable ducks to promote The Great Duck Race (www.greatduckrace.org). Ralphie, our REALLY BIG duck (twice the size of Little Ralphie), will be appearing soon. And who has seen our THIRD big duck (currently unnamed) that just landed in Westport over the weekend?