Tag Archives: Dylan Diamond

Roundup: Dylan Diamond, Westport Moms, Halloween Fun …

Posted on October 22, 2026 | 3 comments

Westport is filled with sharp, creative startup entrepreneurs.

Even so, Dylan Diamond stands out.

The co-founder and CEO of Saturn —  the wildly successful calendar app for high school and college students, which raised $44 million in a 2021 funding round, before its acquisition by Snap — was also Tesla’s youngest intern.

In the world.

He created his killer app, and joined the red-hot EV car firm, while still at Staples High School.

He’s still only in his mid-20s.

The Dealroom — an online business site — just posted an interview with the Class of 2017 graduate.

He talks about his career, his coding, his time at the University of Pennsylvania (he did not finish, in order to pursue his business interests) and more. Click here to read the full story. (Hat tip: John Dodig)

Dylan Diamond

WESTPORT MOMS’ FALL FESTIVAL SET FOR SATURDAY FUN

Fine weather is forecast for this Saturday’s WestportMoms’ 6th annual Fall Festival.

The event (October 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center) is one of the town’s family friendliest autumn activities.

There’s a DJ, mini music classes, face painting, a bubble show, ninja wall, sports games, costume contest, Halloween crafts, cookie and pumpkin decorating, food trucks and more.

Kids can also meet Skye and Chase from PAW Patrol, and families will receive a special gift from Melissa & Doug (while available).

Tickets are $25 per family. Click here to purchase.

Family fun, at Westport Moms’ Fall Festival.

KIDS’ HALLOWEEN PARADE TAKES OVER MAIN STREET

Westport’s annual, much anticipated, and fun-but-not-too scary Halloween Parade strolls down Main Street next Wednesday (October 28, 3:30 p.m.). It begins at the Post Road East corner.

The event — specially geared for children 8 and under — is co-sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, Downtown Merchants Association and Westport PAL.

From Main Street, the parade turns right on Avery Place, then left on Myrtle Avenue. Youngsters may trick or treat along the route, and on Veterans Green. Entertainment, refreshments and small gifts will be provided there, at 4 p.m.

There is no parking along the route, from 2 to 4 p.m. Vehicular and pedestrian access to Town Hall will remain available for anyone voting early in the auditorium.

Captain Nemo leads last year’s Halloween Parade. (Photo/Gabriela Hayes)

TODAY’S HALLOWEEN HOUSE

Meanwhile, spooky decorations are on display all over town.

This creative driveway is on Long Lots Road, near High Point.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

MEET JEFF O’LANTERN — JACK’S YOUNGER BROTHER

Speaking of Halloween: Westport author Charlie Greenwald will read from his new children’s book, Jeff O’Lantern. He’ll also sign copies for young trick-or-treaters.

The event is this Sunday (October 25, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble).

Aimed at kindergartners through 2nd graders it’s a “funny, heartwarming picture book about a shy little pumpkin.” (Jeff O’Lantern — Jack’s younger brother — is not quite as spooky.)

Readers can discover that being shy or gentle is not a weakness. and that kindness can be its own kind of bravery.

Kids will love the pumpkin hero — and learn about confidence and finding their own strengths.

happy 81st birthday, un!

Halloween is not the only holiday this month.

Tomorrow (Friday, October 23, 3:15 p.m., Town Hall), Westport celebrates the founding of the United Nations 81 years ago, on October 24, 1945.

First Selectman Kevin Christie will issue a proclamation, followed by brief statements on critical global issues by members of the Staples High School Model UN Club.

There will be a special message from the UN Secretary- General and a flag raising ceremony too. The public is invited.

From tomorrow through Monday, the flags of many UN member countries will fly on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown.

 

public dock nears completion

A large barge moved through the open Cribari Bridge yesterday, on its way up the Saugatuck River.

There, work continued on the public dock at Arezzo restaurant.

It’s getting closer to completion, adding one more amenity to downtown.

And one more reason to get moving on that long-delayed dredging project.

Working on the dock, yesterday … (Photo/Ken Warren)

… and this morning’s view. (Photo/Janine Scotti)

focus grOUps focus on stars

Serena Diamond is a Staples High School junior. But the teenagers has already spend many years study astronomy, and working at and with the Westport Astronomical Society.

Now she’s searching the skies — or at least Westport — for ways to involve more young people in the very cool, but way under the radar institution.

Serena is researching how the observatory can better serve local youth and families.

She has organized 2 focus groups for this Saturday (October 24). Students, and at least one parent, are invited to discuss programs, events and experiences. Frequent visitors and first-times are all welcome.

This Saturday’s sessions are 2 to 3 p.m. (grades 3-6), and 4 to 5 p.m. (grades 7-9). Both take place at the Westport Observatory, 182 Bayberry Lane.

To sign up, click here.

Serena Diamond, at the Westport Observatory.

 

POLICE REPORTS

Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between October 14 and 20.

A 28-year-old Port Chester, New York man was charged with harassment, assault, criminal attempt to commit assault, threatening, reckless endangerment and kidnapping, following a complaint by a victim who had recently ended a relationship with the man. Over several days via telephone and threat, he threatened to kill the victim. The victim eventually agree to meet him, and got into his vehicle. He drove erratically throughout Westport. When the victim attempted to get out, he struck and restrained the victim. He continued to drive throughout the assault, and struck a guardrail while attempting to get on I-95 at Exit 17. At that point the victim fled, but he allegedly began driving at the victim. He was held on a $500,000 bond.

A 26-year-old Plainsboro, New Jersey woman was charged with identity theft and illegal possession of a personal identifying information device, following a report of a fraudulent bank withdrawal. She was released on a $75,000 bond.

A 49-year-old  Fairfield man was charged with harassment, for emailing and texting the victim despite being warned to cease all contact. He was released on a $25,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Failure to renew registration: 3 citations
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Operating a motor vehicle with handheld electronic device: 2
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
  • Reckless driving: 1
  • Engaging police in pursuit: 1
  • Distracted driving: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Failure to drive right: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 1
  • Failure to display lights: 1
  • Failure to display reflectorized plates: 1
  • License/permit violation: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without an endorsement: 1

“westport … naturally,” & song of the day

In today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, the buck stops at Sherwood Island State Park.

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

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And finally … the annual downtown Halloween parade is less than a week away.

(The buck may stop at Sherwood Island — but it should also head to “06880.” Our hyper-local blog relies on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

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Roundup: LobsterFest, Lightning, Longshore …

Posted on July 16, 2025 | 9 comments

Save the date! This year’s LobsterFest — the early fall fun-fest (and fundraiser) at Compo Beach — is September 20.

All the food and family-friendly entertainment features of past years return. The Westport Rotary Club promises a few new additions, along with new beverage options.

Right now, the Westport Rotary Club is signing sponsors. It’s a great opportunity to align with one of the town’s most lively and popular events.

It’s all for a great cause. The Rotary Club is celebrating its centennial with a major contribution to the Compo Beach playground renovation.

They awarded $385,000 to the project from last year’s Lobster Fest. Another $285,000 went to 46 local and regional causes — and $100,000 more to support international projects. The largest is outfitting a new dental and vision building in rural Uganda.

To learn more about sponsorships, click here.

PS: Tickets go on sale next month. Be sure to watch “06880” for an announcement — and then pounce. They go fast!

Save the date — September 20 — for the Rotary Club LobsterFest. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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It’s not easy capturing lightning (on camera, of course).

But Meredith Holod was in the right place, at the right time — and a safe distance away — Monday.

Here’s her view during the quick but intense storm, from Compo Beach.

(Photo/Meredith Holod)

But lightning did strike twice, elsewhere in Westport. The Fire Department responded to 2 incidents.

One struck a home on Joanne Circle, igniting a fire on the second floor. Crews swiftly contained the fire before it could spread further. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile on Bayberry Lane, lightning struck a pet “invisible fence.” The surge caused electrical damage, and posed a risk to the property.

“Summer storms can be dangerous, and things can go wrong quickly,” says Fire Marshal Terry Dunn.

“Electric pet fences are especially vulnerable, because they’re wired underground and usually connected to your home’s electrical system. If lightning strikes nearby it can travel through that wiring, damage your home, and potentially start a fire. It takes just a few seconds to unplug the system when a storm is on the way. It’s a smart precaution.”

The Westport Fire Department urges residents to take precautions during thunderstorms:

  • Unplug electric fences.
  • Use surge protectors for important electronics; unplug non-essential devices.
  • Avoid using wired appliances or electronics during a storm.
  • Stay indoors and away from windows when thunder or lightning is present.

For more safety tips and emergency updates, visit www.westportct.gov/fire.

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Saturn —  the wildly successful calendar app for high school and college students, which began as a Staples High venture when Class of 2017 member Dylan Diamond was a teenager there — has been acquired by Snap.

The new owners — the company behind Snapchat — did not disclose terms of the day. But most of Saturn’s 30 full-time employees will join their new owner.

Engadget, which first reported the news, says: “It’s not clear what exactly Snap has planned for Saturn, but … the calendar app will continue to operate as a standalone service.”

Saturn may help introduce calendar-related features into Snapchat.

Saturn is available at more than 17,000 high schools. And Snap is used by more than half of US teenagers.

Click here for the full Engadget story.

Dylan Diamond

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John McCarthy was the most recent “06880” reader to send a photo of the camera mounted at the Longshore entrance, and wonder why it’s there.

(Photo/John McCarthy)

“Seems a little out of place,” he writes.

Not really. Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri explains: “This is a license plate recognition camera, for cars entering Longshore.

:There have been break-ins in the past, but the cameras in the parking lot couldn’t always catch the plates.

“This helps us know who came in, if there are any other issues in the future. A good recommendation from the Police Department.”

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For years, Staples High School Class of 2024 graduate Ethan Walmark entertained Westporters, with his many musical talents.

But not just us.

Ethan was on the “Today Show.” He helped Yoko Ono flip the switch to light the Empire State Building blue for World Autism Awareness Day. His performance of “Eminence Front” rocked a Who show. He sang the national anthem in front of 25,000 fans at Red Bull Arena.

As a 12-year-old Coleytown Middle School student, Ethan followed Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Billy Joel and Elton John at the 1st-ever Autism Awareness Gala Fundraiser at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Now — a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music — Ethan is back in town.

Tonight (Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m.), he performs outside the Spotted Horse — on keyboards, and electric and acoustic guitar.

He won’t sing all of the 3,000 songs in his repertoire. But you’ll recognize many of your favorite Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John, Motown, John Mayer, Simon & Garfunkel and Four Seasons favorites.

And Ethan will take requests.

Ethan Walmark

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Speaking of entertainment: Country music rocks the VFW this Saturday (July 19, 8 p.m.).

Grady McAuliffe — with his new single “On the Edge” at #4 on the Hot Disc/All Country Radio chart — and his band bring their high-energy, country grit, Southern Soul and rock-infused sound to the Riverside Avenue venue.

The bar features specials sponsored by Bubba’s Whiskey and Spacecat Brewing Company. Click here for tickets ($15 in advance, $20 at the door), and more information.

Grady McAuliffe

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Mitchells held their annual Compo Beach party last night, for company members and their families.

As always, it was first class: lobster and shrimp, Colony Pizza, hot dogs and much more.

Jack and Bill Mitchell — the second generation, after their parents Ed and Norma — were joined by their sons and daughters-in-law, and their kids. The 4th generation is well on its way to making its mark on the Westport store — and those in Greenwich, Long Island, on the West Coast, and now Dallas.

The fifth generation was there too. Their time will come!

Of course — befitting two Westport town jewels (Mitchells and Compo) — the weather was perfect.

Bill Mitchell, at the company picnic. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” image comes from Michael Chait, via the Saugatuck River:

(Photo/Michael Chait)

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And finally … on this date in 1935, the world’s first parking meter was installed. The site was Oklahoma City.

(Don’t follow leaders … but please support “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)

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Posted in Entertainment, Local business, Longshore, Police, Restaurants, Staples HS, technology, Weather

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Roundup: License Plate Readers, Hostage Walk, College Mental Health …

Posted on February 22, 2025 | 14 comments

When the Board of Selectwomen meet Wednesday (February 26, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium), they’ll discuss the usual types of items: road closures for events like the Memorial Day parade and road races, sewer connections, etc.

One item is different: approval of a maintenance agreement between the town and the state Department of Transportation “for permission to work within the highway right-of-way to install, maintain and replace automatic license plate readers.”

The town already has one set of license plate readers, at I-95 Exit 17. This agenda item is for another set, at I-95 Exit 18 at the Sherwood Island Connector.

The readers are a response to the rash of car thefts in the area. They give the Westport Police Department a head’s-up if a stolen car is entering town off the highway — or headed out of here, onto it.

The selectwomen’s approval is needed to ensure the state that local officials will maintain the devices.

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Early reviews are in for “Native Gardens” — and they’re raves.

Westport Country Playhouse’s current production — a hilarious yet thought-provoking show about a neighborly dispute that turns into a battle of cultures — gets high marks for its acting, message, and breathtaking set.

The show runs through March 8. Click here for tickets, and more information. Click below for the trailer:

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Tomorrow’s Run4TheirLives walk honors the Bibas family. The 2 boys, ages 4 and 9 months, were killed by Hamas, after being kidnapped from their kibbutz. The fate of their mother is unknown.

As they’ve done for over a year, Westporters will gather at 11 a.m. in the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot on Sunday, then walk through town.

They will say the Mourner’s Kaddish, carry orange balloons in memory of the flame-haired brothers, and pray for their mother.

All Westporters of all ages are invited to join. Wear orange sweaters, coats, hats or reflector vests; bring orange balloons or Bibas signs.

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In November, Startup Westport’s “Young Innovators” forum drew an SRO crowd to the Westport Library.

Entrepreneurs and investors from their 30s through 70s were awed by presentations from a quartet of Staples High School alumni — none older than 25 — who have crushed the tech world.

The star of the star-studded panel was Dylan Diamond. The 2017 grad is co-founder and CEO of Saturn. The Gen Z calendar app has raised $68 million, scaled to millions users, reached 18,000 schools, and hit #1 in the App Store  — all after starting out as a high school project.

The event was moderated by Molly O’Shea. The oldest person on stage — she graduated from Staples in 2014 — is no slouch herself. A venture capital investor, Molly founded Sourcery, the VC deal and startup trend newsletter.

Now she’s posted a podcast with Dylan. It opens with a huge shout-out to the Startup Westport event (which she links to, and includes in every Sourcery social post).

Click below for Molly and Dylan’s very insightful — and entertaining — chat.

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There are many ways to prepare students for college. Sometimes overlooked — but crucial — is to focus on mental health.

On Tuesday (February 25, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library), Dr. James Geisler will discuss mental health challenges on college campuses, and help parents support their children’s transition to higher education. For more information, click here.

Graduation is fun. But preparing for the next step is very important.

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This year’s Westport Woman’s Club gala celebrates women who have made significant contributions to philanthropy and service to the community.

The April 5 event (6 p.m., Patterson Club, Fairfield) will be emceed by Scott Foley. His 30-year career in films and on TV include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scream 3,” and (currently) “Will Trent” and “La Dolce Villa.”

He lives in Westport with his wife, 3 children and many pets.

The evening includes a performance by the R&B, soul and dance band the  Bernadettes, plus a silent and live auction.

Guests will enjoy a vibrant performance by The Bernadettes, an R&B/Soul and Dance band, creating a lively atmosphere as well as an opportunity to bid on wonderful silent and live auction items.

Click here for tickets, and more information. Sponsorships are available for $1,000 (to provide clothing for children in need), $5,000 (a need-based scholarship for a graduating senioro) and $10,000 (225 bags of food to struggling families).

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Kings Highway Elementary School students spent Kindness Week spreading joy — within the building, and the entire district.

Every student helped design and create a “kindness rock” — a KHS tradition.

Fifty of them will be delivered to Westport’s 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and Staples High — along with a video message explaining their significance, and how each school might use them.

That’s “kind” of a great idea!

Kings Highway’s “kindness rocks.”

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As a 2-year captain of Staples’ boys soccer team, Mike Dobbs earned renown on the field. Like any soccer player (except the goalkeeper), he did plenty of running.

After a start at Athletic Shoe Factory in Westport, he’s spent his professional career in the running shoe industry. And he’s still running — though on roads, not soccer pitches.

Mike will compete in the Boston Marathon in April. It’s a way to compete — and raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Research, in honor of his late mother Sharon (a well-known and dedicated Westport Soccer Association volunteer).

The funds Mike raises will go to the Claudia Adams Barr Program. Click here for more information, and to contribute to his campaign.

Mike Dobbs

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There’s always something going on at MoCA CT. Ahead:

Upcycle Sculpture Workshop (today, Saturday, 1 p.m.): Tour of WestPAC’s :On Fire” and the high school exhibition “Humans & Nature”; then create sculptures with artist Remy Sosa.

Darwin Shen (violin), Michelle Kim (piano): Putting on the Fritz  (Sunday, February 23, 4 p.m.): Recital of rarely performed, newly discovered and reconstructed works by Fritz Kreisler.

Art Adventures! Drop-Ins for Kids (Saturdays, 12 to 1:30 p.m.): For children of all abilities: multi-media classes with space to explore new techniques and expression through art.

Community Conversation: Art, Infrastructure, and the Environment (February 27, 6 p.m.): Moderated by curator Ive Covaci; a diverse panel of speakers discuss the intersection of art, sustainability, and community resilience.

Upcoming Art Workshops: Hands-on classes include Ceramic Multi-Bowl Building with Leah Corbett (March 6) and Basket Weaving with Tina Puckett (March 8).

East Coast Contemporary Ballet: Galerie de Danse (March 6 and 7, 7:30 p.m.): Dance  and live music in a gallery setting. .

RSO Quartet: Daylight & Dances (March 8, 7 p.m.): Sring players of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra; works by Haydn, Price, Bartok and Puccini.

Sound Healing Meditations with SoulOSoaring (March 18, 6 p.m.): Healing practitioner Terry Eldh uses crystal alchemy singing bowls, crystal harp and koshi chimes.

Current Exhibition, through March 2: “On Fire”: Over 75 works in a variety of media; explores how artists from the 1930s to today have envisioned and responded to the interrelationships of energy, infrastructure, and the environment. The 4th annual exhibition by Westport Permanent Art Collections, inspired by 8 paintings created by Ralph Boyer in 1934 for the old Staples High School, as part of the Federal Public Works of Art Project. These paintings usually hang in the Westport central fire station.

For more information on MoMA CT, click here.

MoMA’s “On Fire” exhibition.

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This kingfisher bird hangs out by the bridge between the Imperial Avenue parking lot and the Westport Library parking lot.

He seemed to be looking sideways — right at Johanna Keyser Rossi — as she captured him for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … on this date in 1872, the Prohibition Party held their first national convention, in Columbus, Ohio. It took nearly 50 years, but the 19th Amendment went into effect in 1920. Thirteen years later, it was repealed.

(“06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. We’ll drink to that!)

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Young Staples Grads Spark Startup Forum

Posted on November 26, 2024 | 5 comments

The Westport Library was packed last night with entrepreneurs (current and future), tech types, and friends and fans of our town’s best and brightest recent Staples High School graduates.

Startup Westport’s “Young Innovators” forum featured 4 alums — none over 25 years old — and an only slightly older venture capitalist.

Dylan Diamond (CEO of Saturn Technologies), Max Hammer and Josh Karol (CEO and CTO, respectively, of CrowdVolt), and Whop CTO Jack Sharkey chatted with Molly O’Shea about the challenges, perils and joys of starting — then running — a multimillion-dollar business while still in college.

Or making the decision to drop out, to do so.

Panelists (from left) Max Hammer, Jack Sharkey, Josh Karol and Dylan Diamond, with moderator Molly O’Shea. (Photo/Kara Curtis)

The money they’ve raised is mind-boggling. So is the creativity they’ve shown, the detours they’ve taken, and the humility with which they talk about their work (which, in all 5 cases, is also their passion).

All gave enormous credit to Staples’ computer science program, which offered the tools to code, create and collaborate.

Diamond noted that then-principal John Dodig and instructor Dave Scrofani provided important backing, when certain administrators wanted to shut down his iStaples app.

(It gave students easy access to schedules, classmates and grades. Now, as Saturn, it’s used by students in 22,000 schools nationwide. Coming soon: colleges.)

Their career paths have already taken them to big companies like Tesla. But the panelists prefer entrepreneurship.

“Shoot for the moon,” Sharkey said. “If you miss, you can always get a job.”

“The opportunity cost in high school and college is so low,” said former University of Pennsylvania student Diamond, adding that young people have great insight into “how to build things.”

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (far left) read a proclamation honoring Staples’ computer science program. From left: former principal John Dodig, instructors Dave Scrofani and Joanne Klouda, department chair John DeLuca. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The 4 learned the financial side of entrepreneurship along the way (including the importance of giving equity to new hires, at the start).

The young entrepreneurs all echoed Diamond’s advice: “Hire people smarter than you. Don’t pretend you know everything. It’s okay to say ‘I don’t know.'”

“Don’t get too attached to resumes,” Kozol added.

It has not always been easy. During COVID, when schools were closed, Diamond’s user base quickly dropped to “zero.”

But he and his classmates quickly learned the importance of pivoting.

Now Diamond is on his way to making Saturn “the world’s most fun personal calendar.” Google and Microsoft will never know what hit them.

(“06880” often highlights the success of Staples graduates, of all ages and types. If you enjoy this coverage on your hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Startup Westport Salutes Young Tech Innovators

Posted on November 19, 2024 | 4 comments

At 15, Dylan Diamond built an app. Now, his Staples High School classmates had an easy way to view their schedules and grades.

Most people would have stopped there.

Diamond rolled it out nationally. It’s evolved into Saturn — a must-have calendar and time management app for high school and college students.

Customizable and shareable, it includes classes, clubs, sports practice and games, concert and show rehearsals, and more.

Dylan Diamond

As CEO of Saturn Technologies, Diamond oversees 100-plus employees, at its New York headquarters.

Long before he earned a dual degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, Diamond’s Staples Class of 2017 teachers and classmates knew he’d go far.

Diamond is just one of a remarkable crop of recent SHS grads who are creating companies, raising tens of millions of dollars in funding, and redefining entire industries.

Max Hammer graduated a year before Diamond. He too went to Penn, where he majored in international relations and affairs.

Today, Hammer and classmate Josh Karol — a fellow 2016 Staples grad, who earned a degree in compueter science and mathematics at Emory University — are CEO and CTO, respectively, of CrowdVolt.

Max Hammer and Josh Karol.

Their start-up solves a problem bedeviling their generation: how to exchange rave and EDM tickets, without the hassle of buying them of Facebook Marketplace or Reddit, or paying high fees on other sites.

How serious are they? Hammer and Karol are backed by Y Combinator — the most prominent start-up accelerator in the world.

Jack Sharkey is even younger than those three. The University of Texas computer science and business grad — now CTO of Whop — is a 2018 Staples alum.

His platform connects buyers and sellers in the digital economy, focusing on influencers and content creators.

Jack Sharkey

Whop secured $17 million in a Series A funding round. Investors — including Insight Partners, the Chainsmokers fund and Peter Thiel — valued the startup at $100 million. With a million customers and 3,000 sellers, Whop has facilitated $100 million in transactions.

Like Diamond, Hammer and Karol, Sharkey got his start in Staples’ computer science program. He created an app offering schedules, sites and other info on all 27 sports played at any of Connecticut’s 183 high schools — including varsity, JV and freshman.)

Next Monday, November 25 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library), they’ll all pay it forward.

The 4 creative, hard-working entrepreneurial superstars will be featured at Startup Westport’s Young Innovators Forum.

Molly O’Shea

The Staples connection continues with the moderator. Molly O’Shea

A 2014 Staples grad who earned a BA in design and entrepreneurship at New York University, she’s a venture capital investor, and founder of Sourcery, the VC deal and startup trend newsletter.

Previous Startup Westport forums focused on women and minorities.

Now, Westport’s public-private tech and innovation partnership shines a spotlight on a new group of entrepreneurs. All are younger than 26.

Next week’s Young Innovators Forum is open to all ages.

“We are excited to welcome Staples High School students, their parents, alumni and all other Westporters for an evening celebrating the success of these extraordinary, home-grown innovators — and to hear how they journeyed from classrooms here to the pinnacle of innovation,” says Startup Westport co-founder and president Cliff Sirlin.

The panelists will discuss the challenges they’ve faced, the creative solutions they’ve pioneered, and how Westport and Staples shaped their journeys.

Hammer looks forward to inspiring others, and building connections — just as he did, a few years ago here.

Diamond adds, “The mentorship I received, and the encouragement to build products that served the community, were hugely motivating. I’m thrilled to return, to share my experiences.”

O’Shea — who is coming from California to moderate the evening — notes, “Each of these companies has achieved incredible milestones and legitimacy.

“This is not just a typical panel. They’ve collectively raised from top-tier Silicon Valley firms, hit significant growth, and reached product market fit.”

And, looking back at her alma mater, O’Shea says, “I’m excited to support Staples’ growing role in tech.”

(The Young Innovators Forum is free, but registration is required. Click here for details.)

(“06880” often highlights the success of Staples graduates, of all ages and types. If you enjoy this coverage on your hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Sunrise Rotary, Dylan Diamond, Wildfires, More

Posted on September 14, 2020 | 7 comments

Every year, Westport’s Sunrise Rotary raises nearly $100,000 from 2 events: The Duck Race, and a wine tasting gala.

Eighty percent of the proceeds are donated to organizations that serve the health, hunger, safety and education needs of adults and children from Stamford to New Haven. The other 20% funds disease prevention, health, peace promotion, education and economic development across the globe.

COVID -19 forced the cancellation of both fundraisers.

To partially fill the gap — and provide safe, fun activities that may also attract new members — Sunrise members collaborated with the Remarkable Theater. They showed “School of Rock” on the Imperial Avenue parking lot screen. The famous yellow duck — and a duckling — were there, welcoming movie-goers.

More events are planned. To learn more about membership, email
info@westportsunriserotary.org. To support charitable giving, send a check to
Westport Sunrise Rotary, PO Box 43, Westport, CT 06881-0043.

Nothing is wrong. The convertible’s driver adjusted its hydraulics, for a comfortable viewing spot at the Remarkable Drive-In.

As a Staples High School student, Dylan Diamond made frequent appearances on “06880.”

At 15, he built an app that allowed classmates to view their schedules and grades — then rolled it out nationally, with hundreds of thousands of downloads.

He followed up with apps that helped skiers find buddies on the slope, and let users book everything from babysitters and yardwork to concert tickets.

Now Inc. has taken notice. He and Wharton School classmate Max Baron have gone all-in on Saturn, a calendar app.

Inc. says “they are working to build community around the calendar in high schools, with a big vision fueling them: to own the time layer of the internet.”

To hear Inc.’s podcast — in which the two discuss “why retention is social, how living together has given the co-founders an ‘always on’ mindset, and what they learned from their early work experience at Tesla and Havas” — click here. (Hat tip: John Dodig)

Dylan Diamond, in San Francisco. While still a Staples High School student, he scored a coveted invitation to Facebook’s F8 conference.

How bad are the wildfires out west?

Peter Gold notes that Connecticut has 3.548 million acres.  As of Saturday, over 3.2 million acres have burned in California this fire season alone. In addition, 900,000 acres burned in Oregon, and over 600,000 more in Washington.

“It’s hard to imagine an area almost one-and-a-half times the size of Connecticut burned in just 3 states,” he says.

Battling a blaze in California.

Jane Mansbridge is a professor of political leadership and values at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

A recent Harvard Gazette story traces her “jagged trajectory” from her youth in Weston, and years at Staples High School (Class of 1957) to her current role as one of the world’s leading scholars of democratic theory.

She loved growing up in a small town. But, she says, she was bullied in Weston and at Staples for being “bookish and a smart girl.”

Realizing that not everyone liked the kind of person she was, or the values she held may have contributed to her later drive to find out more about people who were not like her, she says.

Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: A. David Wunsch)

Jane Mansbridge (Photo/Stephanie Mitchell for Harvard staff)

The porgies are in! This was the scene yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park. Of course, fishermen always observe social distance.

(Photo/Roseann Spengler)

And finally … On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key watched a British bombardment of Maryland during the War of 1812. Inspired by the sight of an American flag still flying at daybreak, he wrote a poem. “The Defence of Fort M’Henry” was later set to music. In 1931 “The Star-Spangled Banner” became our national anthem. One of the most famous versions was sung by our wonderful neighbor, Weston’s Jose Feliciano, before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series in Detroit. It was controversial at the time; no one had ever delivered such a non-traditional rendition.

His performance nearly ended his career. But 42 years later — in 2010 — he was invited back to Detroit, to perform it again. This time, the crowd roared.

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Dylan Diamond Does F8

Posted on April 20, 2016 | 8 comments

“On the internet, no one knows you’re a dog” — that’s the classic New Yorker cartoon, showing 2 canines at a computer.

No one knows you’re a high school junior, either.

Not that anyone should care. Staples’ Dylan Diamond designs user-friendly apps that fill folks’ needs.

Dylan Diamond, at San Francisco's Fort Mason earlier this month.

Dylan Diamond, at San Francisco’s Fort Mason earlier this month.

His myHAC allows students and parents nationwide easy access to school schedules and grades. It’s been downloaded 85,000 times.

Ski With Friends helps skiers find buddies on the slope.

His current project, Saround — with fellow Westporter Adam Goldberg — lets users book anything from babysitters and yardwork to concert tickets, by priority.

Next up: an app to expedite food purchases in school cafeterias.

So it’s no surprise that Dylan snagged a coveted invitation to Facebook’s F8 conference this month.

Or that Facebook covered the entire $800 registration fee too.

Dylan Diamond, with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Dylan Diamond, with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

The hands-on, collaborative event — held at San Francisco’s Fort Mason — is huge. It draws developers and entrepreneurs from around the globe. Facebook engineers interact with attendees. They share ideas, teach each other, and return to their offices (or schools) ready for the Next Big Thing.

Dylan made the most of his time. He saw Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, standing on the conference floor. Dylan walked up, introduced himself, and told her about his apps.

Dylan also hung with Mike Schroepfer, the CTO. He sat next to the CEO of Oculus Rift, the biggest name in virtual reality.

Dylan and those heavy hitters talked about Facebook’s new Messenger bot — unveiled at F8 — as well as analytics.

He got advice on startups. Attendees examined his code, and answered his questions about how to do more, be more efficient, and design better tools.

Dylan Diamond was up close for Mark Zuckerberg's keynote address.

Dylan Diamond was up close for Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote address.

Mark Zuckerberg was there too, of course. His keynote address was one highlight. Even better: His announcement that everyone at F8 would received a free Oculus headset.

(Dylan used it on the plane ride home. His fellow travelers were quite impressed.)

There were a couple dozen high school students at F8, like Dylan. They become good friends. After the conference, he and 2 others drove to Cupertino, to check out Uber and Apple headquarters.

“Everyone there was super-passionate,” Dylan says. “They really opened  my eyes to new ideas.”

Dylan does more than develop apps, of course. He handles the school paper Inklings’ website. He’s also on the ski and cross country team.

That last activity came in handy at F8. A  long line of attendees waited to get into the building to hear Zuckerberg.

Dylan outraced the others, and had one of the best seats in the house.

Dylan Diamond's VR selfie.

Dylan Diamond’s VR selfie.

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Dylan Diamond Makes The Grade

Posted on March 7, 2014 | 2 comments

Back in the day, students learned their grades 4 times a year: the end of each quarter, when report cards came out.

Today — isn’t technology wonderful? — kids can access their grades any time they want. Some check them many times a day.

Almost as often as their parents do.

But — isn’t technology a bitch? — until recently, Staples students (and their parents) were frustrated by Home Access Center. That’s the website that works well on a desktop or laptop, but is very hard to view on a mobile device.

Sometimes — this is a true First World problem —  it doesn’t even load. Grrrrr!

Dylan Diamond

Dylan Diamond

Into that frustrating breach rode Dylan Diamond. Only a freshman  — who apparently didn’t get the memo that he shouldn’t start freaking out over grades for a few more months — he developed a free iPhone/iPad app. 

Called “MyHAC” — a clever play on “hacking” and the Home Access Center acronym, while paying homage to Eric Lubin’s very popular “My Staples” schedule-and-time app — it solves every Home Access website problem.

Staples and middle school students — and their parents! — can easily view all grades, class assignments and transcripts. It lists grades from previous marking periods. And a “Remember Me” feature means that (unlike the website) you don’t have to log in each time.

Up next: push notifications, for new assignments.

This is not Dylan’s 1st app. Last year at Coleytown, for a science assignment, he created “MyMoonPhase.” Showing the current moon phase, with a description, it’s been downloaded 3,000 times, all over the world.

The MyHAC screen shows Dylan’s grades. He had a 97.91 in Biology Honors.

The MyHAC screen shows Dylan’s grades. He had a 97.91 in Biology Honors.

“My HAC” has been out for just a few weeks, and its relevance is limited to Westport. But it’s already recorded 600 downloads. (And that’s just for iOS devices. There’s no Android or Windows phone version.)

Dylan — who is also a cross country and track team member, and worked on lighting for Staples Players’ Thoroughly Modern Millie —  is largely self-taught. He took a course in New York last summer on app development, but most of what he knows comes from research on — of course — the internet. He enjoys creating apps, because he has the freedom to do whatever he wants; the process is creative, and the final product helps people.

The toughest parts of creating “My HAC,” Dylan says, were making the app fully compatible with Westport’s servers, and ensuring that all data was secure. Once he figured that out, it took just a couple of weeks to finish.

Dylan can’t use the Westport Schools’ logo. But school officials — and his computer teacher, Nate Dewey — think it’s great. As do all those students checking their grades. at this very moment.

And their parents.

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