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Roundup: Orphenians’ Valentines, Compostable Cups, Carnegie Hall …

Posted on February 12, 2025 | 6 comments

In June, Staples Orphenians — our high school’s renowned, audition-only choral ensemble — travel to Spain, for an international choral festival.

They want to make sure every student can participate, regardless of financial circumstance. Proceeds raised above their goal will go to the Voces8Foundation, which is creating a music education hub in Westport.

As a fundraiser, Orphenian singers have created 1-minute a cappella clips of pop Valentine’s tunes. They range from love to friendship to (ugh) breakup — for example, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “My Girl” and “I Want You Back.”

For just $5.50, anyone can send a digital Orphenians Valentine “Singing Gram” to anyone in the world. It will be delivered Friday (Valentine’s Day). Click here to order (songs are listed under “Select an Option”).

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A reader writes: “I just learned at Starbucks that the town is requiring all businesses to switch to compostable cups and lids. Do you know more about this initiative and what happens when businesses don’t comply?”

I contacted Gately Ross, co-director of Sustainable Westport. She replied: “Nothing that we’ve heard about explicitly. I suspect they are referencing Westport’s Single Use Plastic ordinance.” (Click here for the full regulation.)

The ordinance — passed in 2019 — says that any food service business must “transition from disposable plastic food service ware to compostable and recyclable alternatives.”

“Single use plastic food service products” incudes food containers, straws, stirrers, plates, “clamshells” — and hot and cold beverage cups.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker cited the ordinance — and last year’s “Skip the Stuff” campaign, encouraging customers to request only utensils and other items that they really need — at this month’s State of the Town meeting.

Ross thinks that may have prompted Starbucks’ compliance with the ordinance.

The Conservation Department can issue fines of $150 per infraction, plus additional fees.

Ross notes: “Disposal of compostable goods is nuanced. Often they are confused for recyclable (which is suboptimal, because they will contaminate the recycling stream).

“Also, they are not accepted at the town transfer station food waste collection.

“Sustainable Westport recommends that residents contact their private hauler to see if they are permitted in curbside collections.

“Best answer: Reusables! Bring your own mug! Which Starbucks permits.”

A Starbucks compostable cup.

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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee meets tomorrow (Thursday, February 13, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall rooms 307/9).

The agenda includes a review of the downtown design master plan, including parking study strategy and Jesup/Imperial lots design, as well as Church Lane closure, and “Jesup Alley.”

The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee will discuss the alley between Jesup Road and Post Road East.

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Sam Weiser has made it to Carnegie Hall!

The 2012 Staples High School gaduate takes the stage on February 27, with his Columbus, Ohio-based Carpe Diem String Quartet. Their presentation includes 2 world premieres.

The group is “one of the most unique and sought-after chamber ensembles on the cincert stage today. (The) boundary-breaking ensemble that has earned widespread critical and audience acclaim for its innovative programming and electrifying performances.”

Click here for tickets, or call 212-247-7800.

Sam Weiser (center, rear) with the Carpe Diem String Quartet.

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Speaking of the arts: One of the best shows in town is a backstage tour of the Westport Country Playhouse.

From the history-rich green room and dressings rooms, to the costume and set shops, you’ll get an up-close-and-personal, behind-the-scenes (and free) look at the 94-year-old theater.

Susan Garment took one the other day. She was particularly intrigued at the set being readied for the next production.

Working on the “Native Gardens” set. (Photo/Susan Garment)

“Native Gardens” opens February 18. Click here for details, and tickets. Click here for details about the Playhouse tours. The next ones are in Apri, May and June.

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Speaking of the Playhouse: Applications are open for this summer’s Joanne Woodward Internship Program.

Named in honor of the actress, director and former Playhouse artistic director, the program is one of the nation’s top training opportunities for emerging theater professionals.

Internships are available in marketing, development/fundraising, general production, and artistic and education.

In addition to working in their special Playhouse departments, interns attend weekly seminars with guest speakers, including staff members, visiting designers and artists, commercial producers and more.

The internships date to the 1940s. Among the most prominent alums of the program: Stephen Sondheim.

The Woodward Internships run from May 27 through August 1. Applicants must be 20 or older. The stipend is $655 per week. Housing is provide,d though ransportation is the responsibility of the intern.

For more information, including applications, click here or email education@westportplayhouse.org. The deadline is March 7.

Stephen Sondheim (crouching, top) during his 1950 apprenticeship. Other interns include future film director Frank Perry (front row, left) and Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary (2nd row, 4th from left).

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Sure, you can send a store-bought Valentine’s Day card.

But Staples students have a chance to handwritten ones — with a strawberry heart, lollipop and words of encouragement.

The Teen Awareness Group sold Candygrams last week. On Monday, members personalized each one, with personalized messages.

The project was a fundraiser for TAG’s effort to connect the community, and remind students to support one another while making healthy choices around drugs and alcohol, and normalizing seeking support for mental health issues.

Teen Awareness Group members create Candygrams. (Photo/Elaine Daignault)

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Like many Westporters, Seth Schachter checks eBay often, for items of local interest.

His latest find: this 19th-century sign.

The price: a mere $750.

Or “best offer.”

Click here to offer whatever you think it’s worth.

Or instead of buying it, perhaps a reader can clue us all in on John F. Coyle’s back story. Just click “Comments” below.

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Aspetuck Land Trust is partnering with Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, and Oliver Nurseries, to sponsor a new book club.

The first selection is “Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden,” by Camille Dungy.

The book – about a family’s decision to plant a diverse garden in Fort Collins, Colorado — has been called “a poetic reflection on plants, family, community, race, place, and legacy.”

Meetings are virtual. They’ll be facilitated by ALT member Jennifer Groves. A positive psychology coach and naturalist who leads efforts to connect people in meaningful ways to nature and each other.

“Soil” is available from Amazon, and at the Westport Library. The signup deadline for the club is February 20. Click here to register for the Monday, April 7 (6:30 p.m.) session. Click here for the Tuesday, April 22 (12 noon) meeting.

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In 1986, trombonist and bandleader John Fumasoli formed a 10-piece little big band, The Jones Factor. It has become a jazz legend.

Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall met John a few years ago, at a memorial concert for Micky Golomb (namesake of JazzFC’s scholarship fund), and appreciated his musicianship and friendly vibe.

Tomorrow (Thursday, February 13, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.; dinner service from 7; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students), Jazz at the Post welcomes The Jones Factor back.

In addition to Fumasoli and Wall, the shows feature bassist Dave Anderson, keyboardist Rob Aries, trumpeter Mark Collins and drummer Tyger MacNeal. Click here for tickets.

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It’s a tossup who likes to romp in the snow more: kids or dogs.

Based on today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — taken near Burying Hill Beach — we’re betting on man’s best friend.

The canine variety, that is.

(Photo/Chrissey Hunt)

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And finally … today is the 216th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The 16th president’s birthday was celebrated as a holiday — at least outside the South — as was George Washington’s, 10 days later. In 1968 Presidents Day was created to honor both, on the third Monday in February.

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on support from readers like you. If you enjoy our work — and our 24/7/365 dedication to this town, and you — please click here to donate. Thank you!

6 Comments

Posted in Arts, Downtown, Environment, Local politics, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged "Jazz Rabbi" Greg Wall, Aspetuck Land Trust, Downtown Plan Implementation Committee, Jazz at the Post, Seth Schachter, Staples Orphenians, Staples Teen Awareness Group, Starbucks, Sustainable Westport

Kate Kenny’s “Costal” Creativity

Posted on February 12, 2025 | 2 comments

Westport is a coastal town.

In Latin, “costalis” means “of the ribs.”

So Costal is an inspired name for Kate Kenny’s company.

The 2022 Staples High School graduate sells beach-themed apparel and accessories like sweatshirts and tote bags.

“To me, ribs symbolize protection,” Kate explains. “My mission is to protect the ocean and Long Island Sound, by having sustainable, eco-friendly products.”

Kate Kenny models one of her creations.

The beach (and her sailboat) have always been protective places for Kate. She spent years dealing with mental health issues, including hospitalizations for depression and anxiety.

Sketching scenes of those happy scenes brought her peace. Now — while a nursing student at Southern Connecticut State University — she combines the joy she finds by and on the water with her passion for drawing, photography, and creating physical products and online content.

The result is Costal Customs.

At Staples, Kate ran cross country and track. But she missed her high school graduation because she was hospitalized.

While there, she discovered a Cricut machine (a cutting device that helps people create personalized items). Kate used it to print out her designs on vinyl, for tote bags.

Kate’s parents gave her a Cricut as a graduation gift. Using her creative background — she had taken silk screening and photography at Staples, and a digital design class outside of school — she went to work.

A few of Kate Kenny’s creations …

Nautical themes like seashells, lobsters and turtles came naturally. Environmentally conscious, she focused on items that would be used often, like sweatshirts and tote bags.

In the works: new designs for t-shirts, cups and tumblers.

Business — mostly word-of-mouth — has been good. Customers are primarily college-age females, but plenty of older folks like her creations too.

… and another.

The beach and her sailboat have helped Kate Kenny get through some very tough times.

For now — with her burgeoning business, and college studies — the coast is clear.

(To see and purchase Costal Custom’s offerings, click here. To follow on Instagram, go to @Costal.Customs.)

(“06880” often highlights the creativity of Staples High School graduates. If you enjoy these and other features, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Beach, Local business, Staples HS

Tagged Costil Custom, Kate Kenny

Pic Of The Day #2855

Posted on February 11, 2025 | 1 comment

Parker Harding Plaza pedestrian footbridge (Photo/Lee Scharfstein)

1 Comment

Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day, Weather

Tagged Parker Harding footbridge

Police, Tooker Respond To Antisemitic Snowman

Posted on February 11, 2025 | 26 comments

The Westport Police Department says:

On the night of February 9, Westport Police were notified by a local rabbi to the existence of a snowman with antisemitic features at the Newman Poses Preserve.

The person who found the snowman notified the eabbi and a local blog. On the morning of February 10, Westport Police initiated an investigation which included responding to the Newman Poses Preserve where a snowman was located, but without any antisemitic symbols.

We contacted the complainant and spoke with him about the incident. He reported finding the snowman at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, Februray 9 while walking in the preserve. The complainant took a photo of the snowman, and then removed the antisemitic symbols prior to leaving the preserve.

The Westport Police Department is investigating the incident, and asks anyone who knows who is responsible for this incident to contact the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000. Furthermore, we ask that incidents like this be reported immediately to the Police Department so they can be investigated in a timely manner.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker stated, “This incident does not reflect the beliefs of our community. Westport strives to be a welcoming community, where everyone feels like they belong. I will continue to lead with that goal as my north star, and will work with the Police Department to ensure everyone feels safe and heard.”

Snowman with Nazi symbols, at Newman Poses Preserve.

26 Comments

Posted in Police, religion

Tagged 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, antisemitism, Newman Poses Preserve, snowman

Roundup: Gillespie Center Rededication, ADL “Hitler Snowman” Statement, RTM & BOF Meetings …

Posted on February 11, 2025 | 4 comments

Governor Ned Lamont cut the ribbon yesterday, at the rededication of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place in downtown Westport.

With 15 and 5 beds respectively — and a newly expanded food pantry, renovated kitchen, and additional meeting rooms — the Homes with Hope facility is better equipped than ever to serve underhoused and hungry residents.

Lamont was joined by Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquerra-Bruno, State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore,, Homes with Hope CEO and president Helen McAlinden, Homes with Hope co-founder and former director Rev. Peter Powell, Westport Human Services director Elaine Daignault, and several Representative Town Meeting members.

The Gillespie Center is named for the shelter’s co-founder, Dr. Jim Gillespie. Hoskins Place honors another early housing supporter, Rev. Ted Hoskins of Saugatuck Congregational Church.

The ceremony also included Susie’s Place. Formerly known as Project Return — and named for that organization’s former director Susiei Basler — the Compo Road North house has room for 6 at-risk women, ages 18-24.

After renovations, it will open April 1.

To learn more about Homes with Hope and its services, click here.

Homes with Hope CEO, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker nad Governor Ned Lamont (center, holding scissors and ribbon), at yesterday’s Gillespie Center rededication.

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A statewide organization reacted swiftly to yesterday’s story about a snowman fashioned to look like Adolf Hitler, in the Newman Poses Preserve.

Calling themselves “deeply concerned,” ADL Connecticut said: “The swastika is the symbol adopted by Hitler as the primary emblem of the Nazis. The Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropropriate and offensive to make light of it. At a time of rising hate and antisemitism, we call upon community leaders to speak out against this hate. Hate is not child’s play.”

The ADL sent a report about hate and harassment. “Swastikas are very prevalent in gaming and online, and kids see them often,” they said. Click here to read.

Westport’s Democratic Town Committee reposted the ADL’s message, echoing it in “the strongest of terms.”

TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey Jr. sent a statement to “06880.” Noting it was “personal” — not from the town’s multicultural organization — he said, “Whether hidden on a remote trail or in plain sight, such homages to hatred are heinous and must be condemned.

While some forces within our nation are pushing us pell-mell toward the outlawing of even their discussion, we must steel ourselves at every level to call them out and see them for the poison they represent to our community, and humanity itself.”

The “Hitler” snowman, in Newman Poses Preserce.

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The Representative Town Meeting Planning & Zoning, and Environment, Committees meet jointly tonight (Tuesday, February 11, 7 p.m., Town Hall room 201).

There is one agenda item: “Review of the Old Mill Pond walkway, gate and properties.”

Discussion is expected to include whether the public has the right to access Compo Cove, via the formerly open, now locked gate at the end of the walkway.

Click here to see the entire meeting packet, including documents.

Access to Compo Cove will be discussed at tonight’s RTM committee meetings.

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Tonight also marks the first of 3 consecutive nights of Board of Finance 2025-26 budget discussions.

All meetings take place in Town Hall room 309, beginning at 6 p.m.

The schedule:

Tonight (Tuesday, February 11): Human Services, Parks & Recreation/Wakeman Town Farm, Public Works/Sewer Fund.

Wednesday, February 12: Transit District, Police, Fire.

Thursday, February 13: Earthplace, IT, Library, Health District, Pension/ Insurance/Transfers/Other General.

Click here for a link to the full proposed 2025-26 budget.

Budget discussions begin tonight at Town Hall.

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Layla’s Falafel is known for its great Middle Eastern food.

Now it’s helping hungry folks, in our back yard.

The Post Road East restaurant has partnered with local non-profit Filling in the Blanks. They have pledged $12,000 to fund their Fresh Food on the Move mobile pantry in Bridgeport, at the end of this month. The pantry feeds over 475 families in need, offering fresh and healthy food.

Layla’s is donating $2 for every pint of $8 hummus sold at their Westport, Fairfield and Stamford locations. It’s made fresh daily; it’s vegan, gluten-free and seed oil-free — and includes 3 fluffy pita breads.

Donations can also be made through the QR code below.

Layla’s hummus.

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Everyone needs a warm hug.

This Thursday (February 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) marks the Westport Farmers’ Market’s annual Operation Warm Hug. It was postponed a week, by snow.

At their Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center winter home, Market volunteers will collect lightly used coats, hats, mittens, sweaters and sweatshirts, to share with nOURish in Bridgeport.

Our neighbors are cold. Let’s warm them up!

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For the first time ever last night, Staples Orphenians — the high school’s elite a cappella group — joined Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools’ cameratas for a joint Choir Festival.

The event, at Bedford, follows a similar three-schools jazz show at Staples.

Choir members enjoyed rehearsing together during the day. More joint music programs are planned for the future.

Choral directors (from left) Christina Dominguez, Lauren Pine and Jason Phillips, sporting their respective school logos.

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Timing is everything.

Yesteray, “06880” posted a story on Stitch Haven. Beth Berkowitz is the new owner of the store formerly known as Westport Yarns.

When the piece was published, a new sign was not yet ini place.

Just hours after the story appeared, the “Stitch Haven” sign was installed.

You can find all your knitting and crocheting needs there on Post Road East, next to Westport Hardware and Cava, across from Fresh Market and Terrain.

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The Y’s Women were recently treated to a chair yoga session, by practitioner Paula Schooler and model Katherine Ross.

Members enjoyed the expansive mind-body session.

Y’s Women yoga, at Green’s Farms Church.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a bit unusual.

Bob Weingarten writes: “A large tree was slated for removal from Center Street by the town in December. A town crew removed most of the top of the tree and sides in early January. but left what is shown below — probably because of all the wires.

“This removal is now waiting for (probably) Eversource.”

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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And finally … in honor of the rededication of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place, and the upcoming reopening of Susie’s Place (story above):

(“06880” is your home for hyper-local news about Westport — our non-profits, businesses, schools, residents, beaches, history and much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Beach, Local politics, Politics, Restaurants

Tagged ADL Connecticut, Board of Finance, Compo Cove, Gillespie Center, Governor Ned Lamont, Layla's Falafel, Representative Town Meeting, Staples High School Orphenians, Stitch Haven, Westport Farmer's Market

[OPINION] AI Snags Innocent Student; Policy Needs Work

Posted on February 11, 2025 | 38 comments

Carly Waldman is a junior at Staples High School. She is a varsity swimmer, and has lived in Westport since she was 8 years old. She writes:

I’ve always been a good student and kid. I’ve never gone to the principal’s office; I don’t sit in the bathroom and vape; I work hard and complete my assignments on time.

As much as I sometimes want to skip my AP social studies class, I show up every day with only minor grumblings. I take pride in my work, and was incredibly happy with the essay I wrote on hate speech I had just submitted for my class. That’s why it was shocking to me when, the week of midterms, my favorite teacher called me outside the room and accused me of cheating.

It had taken me 2 weeks of research, drafting, and revising to write this piece. When I finally turned it in, I felt quite accomplished. It was one of those moments when you know you did well, where you can almost picture the teacher nodding in approval as they read it. But that moment of confidence was short-lived.

Carly Waldman

My teacher stood before the class a week later, explaining that she had been reading essays that didn’t sound like students’ typical writing. Too many felt eerily polished, structured in a way that suggested a human didn’t write them. She said she was concerned — so concerned, in fact, that she had decided to have us all submit our essays to Turnitin.com, the AI detection website our school uses – although it shouldn’t.

Turnitin.com has historically been used as an anti-plagiarism tool. The AI-detection piece has just started to be incorporated over the past few years in schools; it is imperfect and illegitimate. The site itself warns against using it to accuse students of AI-generating written work due to its fallibility. Yet, that was the sole basis of the accusation against me.

I didn’t hesitate submitting my essay to Turnitin when requested to do so, because I knew I had written the piece myself. A full month passed and I assumed everything had blown over — until 2 days before midterms when my teacher suddenly pulled me aside.

She looked upset as she told me my essay had been flagged due to Turnitin’s AI detection, that there was nothing I could say or do, and that she had already reported my name to the school as per mandated school policy.

I blinked, trying to process what she had just said. I wanted to show her my notes, drafts, and the hours of effort that had gone into my writing. But before I could say anything else, she shook her head.

I was told I would have to come in the following Monday – after 4 hours of midterm exams, and do an alternative, supervised written assignment – yet, in doing so I could only get my grade up to a 50%. If I didn’t do this, I would get a 0 on the essay I had worked on so hard.

She told me the only way I could fight this was to go through the appeals process. My stomach dropped. The appeal process. It sounded like a bureaucratic nightmare where I’d have to sit in front of a panel of teachers, defending my own work — a student on trial. The idea was infuriating. I wasn’t even allowed to explain myself before I was labeled guilty.

I left the class feeling like the ground had been pulled from under me. The stress of midterms was already suffocating, but now I had this added weight on my shoulders.

I called my parents for support, unclear about what to do and wanting to talk to them before they got notice from the school. My guidance counselor, someone I trusted, could only offer sympathy and a breakdown of the appeal process.

But what I needed wasn’t sympathy — I needed justice. I needed someone to believe me.

The next day and a half was stressful and anxiety-inducing. Could this affect my entrance to college? Would one of my favorite classes and teachers forever think I was a cheater?

After the teacher called my parents, she agreed that she needed to bring my essay to the department head and take a second look, a human look, at the piece I wrote.

My name was quickly cleared when they determined I wrote it; even a personal story from 10th grade was flagged as “likely AI-generated.”

But that didn’t erase the unnecessary stress that the situation created. The teacher suggested my parents write to administration. The head of the department and the principal agreed to a meeting with my parents and me. However, I felt like I wanted to handle this by myself so I went to the conference on my own. (That was a little nerve-wracking!)

The worst part of all of this was the fact that no one could really explain how this had happened. When I met with the principal and the head of the department, they were polite but vague. They acknowledged the mistake but didn’t offer any real solutions.

If AI detection software is this flawed, why are we putting so much faith in it? Why are students being presumed guilty based on an algorithm’s judgment?

Situations like mine shouldn’t happen again. Schools need to approach these accusations with more care. Instead of immediately flagging students as cheaters, teachers should talk with the student, ask about their writing process, and consider the evidence beyond AI-detection software. Technology is not perfect, nor is the system that blindly trusts it.

I worked hard on my essay. I knew my own words. And yet, for a time, I was treated as if my voice didn’t belong to me.

That’s not how justice should work. That’s not how education should work. If schools want to encourage integrity and prioritize mental health, they should rethink their policies on Gen-AI accusations, because I doubt I’m the first or last person who has gone or will go through this awful process.

(“06880” is proud to give Westport students a voice. They are our future. As for the future of this hyper-local blog: Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution, supporting our work. Thanks!)

38 Comments

Posted in Education, Staples HS, technology, Teenagers

Tagged artificial intelligence, Carly Waldman

Pics Of The Day #2854

Posted on February 10, 2025 | 2 comments

Whimsical scenes from Sunday’s snow:

Not quite a beach day (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)

Landsdowne snowman, and friend (Photo/Lou Weinberg)

2 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day, Weather

Tagged Lansdowne Condominiums, snow

TEAM Westport Teen Essay Contest Explores “Identity”

Posted on February 10, 2025 | 2 comments

TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest has never shied away from important topics.

This year’s prompt is particularly important — and topical.

“Identity” is the topic of the 2025 contest, sponsored by the town’s multicultural organization.

The contest is open to students attending both public and private high school in Westport. Those who live in Westport and attend public or private high school elsewhere — or are home-schooled here — can also participate.

This year’s essay prompt says:

TEAM Westport is dedicated to addressing issues of bias and discrimination related to race, religion, ethnicity, and LGBTQIA+ identity that negatively impact our town’s goal of being a welcoming community for all who live and work here. The recent introduction of the Anti-Defamation League’s “No Place for Hate” initiative in Westport’s schools strives to create an environment where all students feel they belong and are free from bias, bullying, or hatred.

In our community, each person’s unique identity — shaped by their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other aspects of who they are — contributes to the character of Westport. In 1,000 words or less, we invite you to reflect on how your own identity shapes your perspective and the experiences you have in Westport. Please address the following considerations in your response:

Which aspects of your identity feel most central to how you wish to be understood and accepted?
How do aspects of your identity shape your daily school and community experiences, including both challenges and opportunities in expressing these parts of yourself?
What specific changes could our community make to decrease identity-based bias, bullying and hate?

The entry deadline for the essay contest is 11:59 pm on March 10.

The Westport Library co-sponsors the event. They’ll host the winners at a special ceremony on April 28.

The prompt and contest entry rules are available online at teamwestport.org.

Subject to the volume and caliber of entries received, at the discretion of the judges, up to 3 cash prizes will be awarded. The first prize is $1,000; second place is $750, while third is $500.

“Our community conversation to uncover ways to ensure that there is ‘No Place for Hate’ is ongoing,” says TEAM Westport Chair Harold Bailey Jr. “As we launch our 12th year of the Essay Contest, nothing could be more current than the issue of personal identity. We invite our young people to share their experiences around identity to help shape a world in which everyone belongs with mutual respect.”

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker adds, “This community encourages constructive, respectful dialogue. As representatives of our talented and thoughtful population, the youth of Westport can be instrumental in sharing diverse ideas that ensure that everyone who lives, works, plays, and learns here feels welcomed and valued.”

Prior prompts have tackled topics from white privilege and Black Lives Matter to micro-aggressions and dialogue.

“We’re honored to co-sponsor and host the 2025 TEAM Westport Diversity Essay Contest,” says Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer.

“One of our goals as a Library is to foster inclusivity, understanding, and belonging, and to provide the tools for students learn and thrive. Personal identity is achieved through exploration and conversation, a product of introspection and community engagement — all core to the mission of the Library and representative of the remarkable students Westport engages.”

At the 2024 TEAM Westport Teen Essay Contest celebration (from left) First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey; winners Teya Ozgen, Sophia Lopez and Olivia Morgeson; Staples High School principal Stafford Thomas; Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer.

2 Comments

Posted in Library, Politics, Teenagers

Tagged identity, TEAM Westport

“06880” Podcast: Melissa Kane

Posted on February 10, 2025 | 1 comment

Melissa Kane is board chair of Connecticut Against Gun Violence.

It’s an important job — but typical of her long public service.

She’s co-chaired the Downtown Plan Implementation Committe. Beford that, she was a Representative Town Meeting member, and Westport’s 3rd selectwoman.

The other day, we chatted at the Westport Library for an “06880” podcast. Click below to hear more about Melissa’s work with CAGV, and her other efforts in Westport.