Category Archives: Staples HS

“Hell No, We Won’t Go!”

Posted on April 26, 2011 | 65 comments

A portion of the crowd -- primarily Staples students -- protesting the Viet Nam war in 1969. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

For nearly 10 years, America’s all-volunteer military has fought 2 costly, controversial wars.

Protests have been muted.  A few people stand on the Post Road bridge every Saturday morning.  Someone writes an occasional letter to the editor.

At Staples, high school students — few of whom even think of serving — scarcely give Iraq and Afghanistan a passing thought.

How different things were in 1969.  Vietnam was a quagmire — and Westport was up in arms, on both sides of the issue.  Loud anti-war protests took place at Town Hall every Saturday.  After 3 hours of raucous debate the RTM passed — 17-15 — a resolution asking immediate action to withdraw from Southeast Asia.

Many Staples students — though certainly not all — were fervently anti-war.  On October 15, 1200 students — joined by some from the 3 junior highs — celebrated a national Moratorium Day.

They — actually “we,” because I was among them — marched from the Staples tennis courts, down North Avenue and Long Lots Road, all the way to the steps of the YMCA.

The long line of marchers headed downtown. The A&P was near what is now the firehouse; the Esso gas station is now a Phillips 66. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

We carried American flags and wore buttons saying “Peace Now” and “Hell No, We Won’t Go.”  Along the way, other students threw eggs at us.

At the Y, we listened to speeches (including one by Iowa Senator Harold Hughes).   We waved our fingers in the peace sign.  We looked around, and were stunned at our numbers.

A year earlier, we had helped drive Lyndon Johnson from the presidency — but our new president was Richard Nixon.  Finally, in 1973, a peace treaty was signed.  Two years later the last Americans were evacuated from the U.S. Embassy roof.

In 1969, Adrian Hlynka was a Staples student.  A gifted photographer, he took dozens of shots on Moratorium Day.  Here is what it looked like to protest a war, more than 4 decades ago.

A portion of the crowd in front of the Y. The Fine Arts Theater (now Restoration Hardware) was showing "Alice's Restaurant" and "Medium Cool." Police stood on the roof next door. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

More of the enormous downtown crowd. The current Max's Art Supplies is on the extreme left; what is now Tiffany is at the far right. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

Rabbi Byron Rubenstein of Temple Israel addresses the crowd from the steps of the Y. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

The crowd was predominantly -- though not entirely -- made up of Staples students. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

A Staples student states his case. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

Junior high students joined Stapleites at the 1969 Moratorium rally. (Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

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Posted in Local politics, Looking back, Politics, Staples HS, Teenagers, YMCA

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After Fire — And More — Staples Grad Needs Help

Posted on April 21, 2011 | 4 comments

Earlier this month, a fast-moving fire broke out in the Stratford home of Jerry Bowers.

The 1995 Staples grad and his 88-year-old father, Gerald, managed to escape through a side window, with the help of a police officer who happened to pass by.  Jerry’s wife Jen was not home at the time.

The fire — caused by an 8-year-old flat-screen television set, and fed by a nearby oxygen tank — destroyed the Bowers’ home, their belongings, and their memories.

But the story gets worse.

Three cats and a dog died in the blaze.  Another cat and dog were saved.  But the bill from Snowflake Pet Center in Milford was $987.

Jerry’s sister Tammy said the hospital would not let her pay in installments.  She called organizations around the state for help.  They offered money for electric bills, food vouchers and clothing.  But they could not help with pet care. Finally, California based United Animal Nations donated $300.

The rest of the funds came from her father’s ex-wife, who had been saving to buy new garage doors.

The story gets even worse than that.

Two televisions, dozens of video games and several pieces of jewelry — worth $15,000 — were then stolen from the boarded-up, uninhabited home.  They were among the few salvageable possessions, left while the Bowers waited for an insurance assessor’s visit.

“You never know what you have until you lose it,” Jerry and Jen say.

Wedding gifts were still in boxes when the fire swept through.

The couple had just used all their savings to remodel their kitchen.

And now, Jerry is out of work.

Friends have set up a page on the GiveForward website to help the Bowerses.  In just 3 days many Westporters have rallied around the family, donating money and adding words of encouragement to the website.

Click here to help.

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Posted in Organizations, People, Staples HS

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Mike Waxx Makes His Rap Mark

Posted on April 21, 2011 | 2 comments

When you’re a teenager in Westport, it’s not always easy to take a path that leads away from the crowd — the road that often ends on Wall Street, or in an executive suite.

Mike Waxx did.

In 10th grade Staples — where teachers called him by his real name, Mike Bowen — he formed his own company.  Illroots promotes artists and provides graphic design for mixtapes.

Mike spent every day working to make it a viable business.  Closing in on a million hits a month, and with thousands of fans on Facebook and Twitter, the growth has been spectacular.

Last year Mike spent 5 months planning a massive relaunch, turning Illroots into something much deeper than the standard hip-hop blog.

Despite no real education in video, he and a college friend created their own content.  (Other sites rely on posts sent in by artists or their handlers.)

In November Mike shot a music video for Kanye West’s artist Big Sean, with Chiddy Bang.  That song —  Too Fake — has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube (Big Sean’s biggest video to date).

Now Mike is working on a new video with Big  Sean, which he says will put “Too Fake” to shame.

Last month, Illroots set up a house in Austin for the famed SXSW event.  Called “The Illmore,” sponsored parties every day and night drew great attention from press, celebrities and music fans — along with visits from huge hip-hop names like KiD CuDi, Whiz Khalifa, Asher Roth, Mac Miller and the Cool Kids.

Also in Austin, Mike previewed a line of branded merchandise.  It goes into production soon.

Mike Waxx

But Mike is  not resting on his laurels.  He’s finishing artist Nero’s new mixtape, slated for release this spring. Mike has managed the 18-year-old Harlem rapper for 3 years. His 1st solo project “won’t disappoint,” Mike promises.  “Hopefully he’ll become the next big thing.”

Since November Mike has been living in New York, working for and traveling with one of the biggest artists in hip-hop.  Even I recognize his name.

As he heads into the hip-hop stratosphere, Mike Waxx looks back at his, um, roots.

“Without the support of my family and friends, none of this would be possible,” he says.

“I’ve always been really ambitious.  I love seeing growth and progress.  That motivates me the most.”

At the moment, he says, “I’m just taking everything a day at a time, while still planning 6 months ahead.  I want to surround myself with great people, and be happy with every decision I make.

“Surrounding yourself with people that believe in you is one of the most important elements of success.

And, he says, “I want to make my family proud — especially since school wasn’t really for me.”

But the rap world is.  Mike Waxx is comfortable there.  He’s talented, and his work is embraced and celebrated.

Maybe one day a former Staples classmate will call him up — from Wall Street, or an executive boardroom — and ask Mike Waxx to share the secrets of his success.

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Posted in Entertainment, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Westport Mourns Rich Rollins

Posted on April 17, 2011 | 92 comments

Rich Rollins — a long-time Westport math teacher and swim coach — died Friday morning.  The cause was an apparent heart attack.

Rich Rollins

Rich began his Westport teaching career at Long Lots Junior High School in 1967, and later taught at Bedford Middle School.  He coached boys and girls swimming at Staples (not concurrently) over a 25-year span.

Generations of students knew him for his ever-present smile, true love of teaching (and the students he taught), and ability to make even tests fun.

After retiring in 2004, Rich divided his time between his homes in Englishtown, Nova Scotia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  He pursued his interests in Celtic music and culture of Cape Breton, southern Civil War history, and visiting as many minor league baseball stadiums as possible.

He leaves his girlfriend Penny Haisten Kavanaugh; a sister, 2 nieces, and thousands of former students and their families.

Following his wishes, there will be no services.

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Posted in Education, People, Sports, Staples HS

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1,000 Cranes For Japan

Posted on April 14, 2011 | 7 comments

The Japanese proverb — “He that folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish” — is well known.

So is the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It’s the story of a young girl in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb hits.  Later, she begins folding cranes.

She makes 644, before dying of leukemia.  Her classmates fold the rest — and they are buried with her.

Six decades later, Japan once again fights the scourge of radiation.  This time, 4 Staples sophomores are helping.

And they’re doing it by reenacting that crane story, right here in Westport.

Anya Kostenko, Jenna Ellis, Amanda Giannitti and Francesca Lam have already created 1,000 cranes.  This Saturday (April 16, 7-10 p.m.) they’ll be on display at Toquet Hall.

Some of the cranes you'll see at Toquet Hall... (Photo/Jenna Ellis)

There will be musical performances by Staples students Rachel Samuels, Meaghan Elliot and Jacqueline Devine, plus Richard  Granger and Ayrton Ellis.

Refreshments are available, too.

For a donation of $5 ($3 for senior citizens and children under 10), you can take a crane home.  The money goes to Westport-based Save the Children’s Japan fund.

Plenty of Westporters have rushed to help victims of Japan’s triple tragedy.  It’s hard to imagine, though, that anyone — anywhere — has been as creative as these 4 Staples sophomores.

(For more information, contact japancranes1000@hotmail.com)

...and all the cranes.

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Posted in People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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“We’re #1! And #2!”

Posted on April 12, 2011 | 2 comments

Things might have gotten a little tense around the Lubin house.  For 4 years — ever since entering Staples — twins Eric and Todd had the highest grades in the grade.

The lead went back and forth — one semester one had a .001 GPA lead, then the other would edge in front — and as graduation neared, it was clear that one Lubin would be valedictorian, the other salutatorian.

That could have made for tense moments not only at dinner, but on the math, robotics and track teams — activities the brothers share.

Fortunately, they’re too smart to let that happen.

The final results are in.  The top 2 spots — Staples does not announce ranks beyond those, and the end of first semester is the cutoff — go to Eric and Todd, in that order.

Eric Lubin, his phone and his myStaples app.

As valedictorian, Eric will speak on graduation day.  Salutatorian Todd will talk the night before, at baccalaureate.  In some ways, it’s better being runner-up:  the salutatorian’s speech is held in a more relaxed setting than the valedictorian’s.

Plus the auditorium is air-conditioned.  The fieldhouse is not.

Both young men will have plenty to talk about.  Since moving to Westport in 4th grade — and attending Green’s Farms Elementary School, Bedford Middle and now Staples — they have taken advantage of a wide range of opportunities.

And done very, very well in them.

Eric is president of the computer club, a captain of the math and robotics team (which competes for an international championship next month in St. Louis), and a state qualifier in hurdles for the track team.

He attributes his academic success to “a lot of late-night studying,” the fact that he enjoys his work, and his “ability to log off AIM.”

He’s a math-and-science guy.  “There’s always a right answer,” Eric explains.

AP classes like Chemistry, Calculus BC, Physics C and Multivariable Calculus are all “conceptual,” he says.  “There’s a lot of problem-solving.  It’s not memory.”

Eric liked AP Economics too — in part, because of the math.

“Staples definitely gave me the opportunity to challenge myself,” he says.  He appreciates too the “teacher connections.”  He could always meet instructors outside of class, to conference about papers or problems.

The valedictorian is perhaps best known for myStaples:  a wildly popular multipurpose app he created for smartphones.  It displays the daily schedule and all school announcements; helps organize homework; indicates time left in a class, and completes all assignments for every student.  Well, maybe not the last.

Todd — the salutatorian — is also a captain of the robotics and math teams, and a hurdler on the track team.  (He throws the javelin too.)

“We drive each other,” Todd says of the friendly rivalry with his twin.  “We push each other to succeed.”

Todd Lubin

It’s an unspoken competition.  And it includes not just schoolwork, but their many shared activities.

“Grades and school are important, but it’s also important to do other things,” Todd says.

“If you only do school, you’ll get too stressed out.  That’s not mentally healthy.”

Like his brother logging off AIM, Todd has a time management trick.  “If I have to miss a Yankee game and only get the box score, that’s okay,” he says.

Also like Eric, Todd favors math and science.  “They’re tangible for me,” he notes.  “I like finding the best way to approach a problem.  I think in a very logical way.

“I’ve never had a class at Staples I haven’t enjoyed.  And I’ve made connections with lots of teachers.”

As freshmen, Todd’s GPA was slightly higher than Eric’s.  Eric took the lead later.

“In the end we would have been exactly tied,” Todd says.  “But I had 2 extra A-level classes.”

In the high-stakes world of valedictorianism, A-level classes count a tad less than the higher-level Honors courses.  So the fact that Todd got A+ grades in A-level Latin ended up hurting his GPA overall.

Go figure.

Though they’ve been joined in many ways — from classes and activities and captaincies and friends to their GPAs, ever since sharing a womb — the twins may take separate paths next fall.

Eric is choosing between MIT, Harvard and Princeton.  Todd is deciding whether it’s Harvard, Yale or Princeton.

As with all things Lubin, it’s once again pick-’em.

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Posted in Education, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Whose Fields?

Posted on April 10, 2011 | 3 comments

Recreation Commission meetings are usually ho-hum affairs.

Members discuss boat mooring fees, make sure the golf course sprinklers work, then head down to Compo to pick up dog poop.  It’s all good.

Tomorrow night’s meeting should be pretty interesting, though.

A simple-sounding agenda item —

To take such action as the meeting may determine relative to Parks and Recreation Department policy for use of Town athletic fields

— has got many folks worried.

On both sides of the field.

Westport youngsters learn lacrosse through town programs -- and private ones.

Representatives of private organizations — soccer clubs, camps and the like — fear the Rec Commission will clamp down on their field access.  Right now, they rent  space when it’s not used by town sports groups and Staples teams.

Other people think the Rec Commission — driven by the need to increase revenue — will liberalize its policy on outside use, squeezing out Westport kids in favor of outsiders.

Whatever the outcome, it’s bound to be a more exciting night than last week’s UConn-Butler snoozefest.

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Posted in Local politics, Sports, Staples HS

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Danny, Dave And Diana

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 9 comments

Danny Pravder’s parents bought a baby grand piano as “a piece of furniture.”  But when the 9-year-old plunked the keys, he loved the sound.

Danny Pravder, enjoying his passion. (Photo/Leah Grushkin)

Danny badgered his parents for lessons.  Teacher Margie Katz gave him a couple of pieces to work on.  He practiced — and did even more than she assigned.  He was hooked.

As a Staples freshman, Danny discovered jazz.  He loved the music’s complexity, and its spur-of-the-moment mindset.

“You’re not just reading notes.  You’re really involved,” Danny explains.  “Especially when you’re playing and improvising with other people.”

Last year he began studying with Chris Coogan.  Danny is a member of Staples’ jazz band, and and plays in a trio with Austin Alianiello and Mike Ljungberg.  (On April 13 they’ll be at Town Hall, raising funds for Japan relief.)

When Staples jazz teacher Nick Mariconda told Danny about a Stamford  Center for the Arts Emerging Artists competition, he applied.  The arduous process included CD demos.  Danny chose 3 different styles:  samba, swing and ballad.

Judges sifted through over 100 entries — and chose Danny.  He’ll use the $2,000 scholarship for piano and voice lessons,  in preparation for college auditions next fall.

Even better than the money (and a handsome glass trophy), though, was the chance to be honored by one of his jazz heroes, Dave Brubeck, at SCA’s gala last month.  He also earned a shout-out from the event’s star, Diana Ross, during her performance there.

In handing Danny his award — before a sellout crowd of 1,700 — SCA executive director Elissa Getto quoted Brubeck himself:

At an early age Danny has “done it all” — studied classical piano and jazz, composed and recorded original music, played various styles from jazz to show tunes to alternative rock.

What I admire most of all, he has shared that talent with others by performing for the elderly, teaching younger children, and participating in all kinds of musical activities in his school.  I can’t imagine a more deserving recipient of the Brubeck scholarship.

Danny called the event “overwhelming.  It’s like having Fitzgerald or Salinger read your writing, and compliment you on it. ”

The media descends on Danny Pravder at the Stamford Arts Center. (Photo/Tim Coffey)

There was a lot for Brubeck to compliment.  Danny has attended Berklee College of Music’s summer program.  He composed a score for Staples’ radio production of “Dracula,” as well as solo piano compositions and music for his alternative rock band, Daywalker.  He recorded, mixed and released an album of original compositions in 2009, and is working on another.

Danny — who in a non-music endeavor took part in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as an engineering student — understands the power of education.  And of music, to change lives.

At Staples he’s taken 2 music theory courses, and audio production.  He sings in the choir and Orphenians.  This summer he’ll play in Chris Coogan’s pit for the Staples Players Summer Theater production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“The music program is incredible,” he says.  “There are so many talented kids.  I always learn something new.”

He also praises Coogan, Margie Katz and another instructor, Dr. Joe Utterback, for teaching and inspiring him.

After college he may try for a career in film scoring or music education.  He is also interested in cognitive psychology.  And environmental science is not out of the question.

For now though, he’s still on a high after receiving the Dave Brubeck award.

The only downside:  He didn’t get to play with the 90-year-old legend.

“I’m writing him a thank-you note,” Danny says.  “My dad asked, ‘What will you do if he invites you over?’

“I just thought, that would be so cool!”

(Click here for Danny Pravder’s website, including videos.  A sample video is below.  His email is:  dannypravder@gmail.com)



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Posted in Arts, Education, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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The Bus Stops Here

Posted on March 30, 2011 | 64 comments

In the 1970s, Westport pioneered the minnybus.  Brightly decorated vehicles plied the streets of town, using a hub-and-spoke system at Staples and Jesup Green.

The Westport Transit District added maxytaxys.  Anyone could call for a ride anywhere — but the buses picked up other riders too, so getting from Point A to Point B could involve trips to Points C, D, E, F and G along the way.

By 1992 though, declining ridership, inefficient operations and deteriorating equipment caused near collapse of the system.  The RTM reached out for help.

Though the Westport Transit District still exists, it has no employees or paid administrators — not even a bus.  The Norwalk Transit District operates our system, providing great economies of scale.

Westport mass transit has 4 components:

  • Fixed routes: Buses that run to and from the Saugatuck and Green’s Farms train station, all around town.
  • Commuter shuttle: Buses that run between Saugatuck station and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
  • After-school shuttle: Buses that run from schools to the Y, library and downtown, stopping at churches along the way.
  • Door-to-door service: Buses that provide rides for elderly and disabled riders, including physical assistance.

Last year, the WTD counted just under 100,000 trips.

The annual cost to operate Westport’s bus system is a bit over $1.3 million.  However, the town pays only $281,000.  The rest of the funds — 80% or so — comes from fares, and (mostly) state and federal matching grants.

Last week, the Board of Finance voted to cut $100,000 from the Westport Transit District’s proposed budget.  Combined with the subsequent loss of matching grants, the district would lose about 35% of its funding.

If those cuts are sustained, some tough decisions must be made.

“Who do you pick to go?” asks Jim Hood, volunteer co-director of the WTD.

“The schools?  People might say parents or neighbors could drive their kids.

“The trains?  People could say, why can’t they get there on their own.

“The elderly and infirm?  Well, people could say, those buses are inefficient and expensive.”

The dilemma, Hood says, is that “mass transit systems are a service, not a business.  They run at a loss all across the country — but they’re there because they’re important to people.”

A commuter pick-up at the Saugatuck station.

Hood compares transit with another government service:  the fire department.  “Do you divide the number of fires each year by the number of firefighters and the cost of the equipment?  Of course not.  We have a fire department because it’s necessary.”

Some politicians have suggested a fare increase.  Hood says that won’t help much.  Laws regulate how much the fare can be raised — and half of all riders buy Metro-North UniTickets, offering discounts for both trains and buses.  The WTD has no say over those prices.

“It’s easier said than done, but Westport has to figure out if it’s the kind of town that wants this,” Hood says.  “This,” he explains, is “a service for people — some of whom need it as an economic necessity.”

Once mass transit it cut “drastically,” Hood notes, ridership drops dramatically.  That has a domino effect.  Soon there is no service at all.

Bus riders are just learning of the proposed cut, Hood says.  As they do, they realize its impact.  Some are asking why the reduction is so steep.

The next step, Hood says, is a Board of Finance restoration meeting.  The RTM can also restore funds.  He hopes members of both bodies will “hear about the effects, and make an informed decision.”

If restoration fails, Westport’s mass transit riders will have to figure out a new way of getting to the station, getting downtown after school, getting around if they’re elderly or handicapped.

In other words, they’ll have to start reinventing the wheel.

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Posted in Downtown, Economy, Environment, Local politics, Looking back, Organizations, Staples HS

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Westport Schools Get A Facelift

Posted on March 29, 2011 | 10 comments

Five years ago Microsoft discontinued Front Page, its website design tool.

That was bad news for the Westport School district.  As support services eroded, the IT department hobbled along.  “It was a time bomb ready to explode,” says Jennifer Robson, administrative assistant to the superintendent.

Through the public bid process, the district sought a new web developer.  Project Evolution won the contract.  “They wanted entree into school systems, so we got a great price,” Robson says.

Over the years, the Westport schools’ website had grown clunky and text-heavy.  “It assaulted you,” Robson says.  It sure did — when it wasn’t boring you to death, as the screenshot below shows:

The new site — unveiled yesterday — is much friendlier.  The photos are large and strong; it’s intuitive and warmer.  And it’s much more interactive.

Roll over any date on the large calendar; you’ll see everything going on in the schools that day.

Drop-down and slide-out menus provide links to areas like curriculum, technology, athletics, libraries, music, food services, transportation, facilities and jobs.

As the district has drastically reduced the amount of mailings mailed and flyers sent home, the website becomes a vital information source.  Documents like the Parent Handbook are now posted online.

“It really is a modern website,” Robson says.

In addition to redesigning the site, Project Evolution updated the district’s logo.

“We wanted it to express the essence of Westport,” Robson explains.  “We’re a modern place, but rooted in history.”

It took a while.  The designer’s original proposal was “an NFL-type logo,” Robson says.  Board of Ed staff encouraged them to incorporate “water, sky, history.”

The result is both modern and historic indeed — and rendered in the Staples High School colors:

The new logo was introduced quietly this winter.  It’s been in use since then.

Click here for a link to the new website.  Then take it for a test drive — and bookmark it, to return often.

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Posted in Education, Staples HS, technology

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