Tag Archives: Staples High School athletics

Roundup: Scholar-Athletes Honored, Perrin Delorey Winners, Saugatuck Church Pride …

Posted on June 9, 2025 | 4 comments

Staples High School’s 25th annual Scholar-Athlete dinner last night was — as always — a highlight of graduation week.

Athletic director VJ Sarullo and coaches presented plaques to one senior from each varsity sport.  They were honored for their achievements beyond the field, court, track or pool. They were leaders in the classroom too, and the community.

Each answered one question about their academic interests, passions and hobbies. Those ranged from cancer research with fruit flies to ballroom dancing; from using a 3D printer to create prosthetic limbs, to gardening.

There are 40 varsity sports at Staples. Fall honorees were Sawyer Dalzell, Annabel Edwards, Tyla Ozgen, Perrin Root, Samantha Sandrew, Megan Sargent, Danielle Schwartz, Leo Skatoff, Aidan Stubbs, Grace Zhang and Sam Zwick-Lavinsky.

Winter sports honorees were Sofia Alarcon-Frias, Alessandro Alderucci, Rhiya Anand, Will Boberski, Audrey Curtis, Josh Ginsburg, Alexandra Hackett, Ella Harrington, Alexis Krenzer, Cooper Paul, Katherine Phelps,  Tyler Signorile, Adam Udell, Evan Wallitt and Ben Zwick.

Spring sports honorees were Mark Adipietro, Nina Bowens, Ben Cukier, Shreyas Gorre, Madeline Hendley, Nate Hordon, Sophia Novello, Rachel Pontoriero, Cameron Prior, Vivian Shamie, Ryan Tzou, Edward van der Merwe and Sadie Vincini.

Sarullo handed out other awards too. The athletic department’s top 2 honors — the Thomas DeHuff and Jinny Parker Awards — went to Jake Goldshore and Addison Coughlin, respectively.

Laddie Lawrence Foundation scholarships of $7,000 each were presented to Sam Rondon, Preston Sirok and Sam Zwick-Lavinsky.

Nolan Francis won the Junior Leadership Award.

FCIAC Life Teammate Awards went to Brian Divino and Molly Whittle.

Prepzone founder Steve Divino and longtime trainer Corey Iamonico received Staples Athletics Appreciation Awards.

Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo, and trainer Corey Iamonico. (Photo/Michelle Garrity)

==================================================

Speaking of sports: James Delorey sends this “love letter to Westport Little League”:

“On Saturday, the Westport Little League presented Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Awards in each of the league’s 4 divisions. What a beautiful day!

“Players nominate the teammate they believe exemplifies sportsmanship and effort to improve. The coaches say the kids ‘get it,’ and always seem to nominate players who, like Perrin, may not the star players but support their teammates and do their best to improve their game.

“Seven years ago this month — even before Perrin’s funeral had taken place — Westport Little League held a moving celebration of his life. They retired his Cubs #5 on the wall of Kowalsky Field, where he played his last game days before, and announced their intention to make sure players and their families remembered him and his spirit.

“Every year we hear from the Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award nominees, and the winners and their families, about how much this award means to them.

“Yesterday Perrin’s sisters Mireille and Elodie got to celebrate with some of the nominees and winners — including one who lives on our road and who never met Perrin — and hear how Perrin’s memory is now a meaningful part of their lives. Tears now as I write.

“Our family is so grateful to Westport Little League and to the players, coaches and families who join, give, volunteer, and do their best to build a community of good. Play ball!”

AA Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Rivington Hall (holding plaque), with fellow AA Division nominees, Perrin’s father James, and sisters Mireille and Elodie Delorey. (Photo/Adam Hall)

Presentation to AAA Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Benjamin Gionfriddo. (Photo/Brian Marcucio )

A Division nominees with Perrin’s friend, Staples High School junior Harrison Sydor. Finnegan McDuffie (not pictured) was the A Division winner. Other nominees were (from left) James Ettinger, Patrick Downing, Kyle McInerny and Colton Galati. Also not shown: Royal Anderson. (Photo/Brian Marcucio)

Majors Division Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award winner Sam Katz. (Photo/Bill Ryan)

==================================================

Saugatuck Congregational Church celebrated Pride yesterday, with a fun-filled event on their broad front lawn.

The day included music, games, food, a cakewalk … and of course a rainbow-colored bounce house.

(Photos/Lois Himes)

==================================================

Congratulations to Jordan O’Brien!

One of the founding members of the all-female Troop 139, just finishing her junior year at Staples, she had her Eagle Court of Honor yesterday.

Jordan’s parents are heavily involved in scouting. Katherine O’Brien served as Troop 139 scoutmaster for many years, while her father Andy O’Brien is scoutmaster of Troop 36 (where Jordan’s 2 brothers are also Scouts.)

Jordan O’Brien (center) and her family. (Hat tip and photo/Maggie Gomez)

==================================================

Sunny the Duck is back!

He/she/it is out advertising the Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Great Duck Race, at Hartford HealthCare on the Post Road.

The event is June 28, at Jesup Green. For details — and a chance to win some of the $10,000 in prizes — click here. 

(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)

==================================================

Werner Liepolt says: “Respect your local snapping turtle” — especially during egg laying season. “She can easily snap off a finger, or a dog’s nosy nose.”

He “snapped” today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo on Green Acre Lane.

(Photo/Werner Liepolt)

==================================================

And finally … Roger Nichols died last month, at his Oregon home. He was 84.

You may not know his name. But if you were alive in the 1970s — or have ever been to a wedding — you certainly know the best-selling song he wrote:

(Have you begun to support “06880”? It’s very simple: Just click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in religion, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Coaches’ Saga: BOE, Administrators Should Re-examine, Re-set Policies And Procedures

Posted on February 6, 2025 | 14 comments

The large crowd gathered Friday in the Town Hall auditorium had plenty of questions.

Would they be able to speak in support of Kris Hrisovulos, the multi-state champion-winning Staples High School boys tennis coach, as he appealed the non-renewal of his contract by Westport administrators?

What would the Board of Education — the group hearing Hrisovulos’ appeal — think about the reasons given for non-renewal?

Would some of the underlying elements of the case — a complaint by a parent not made through the usual chain of command, for example — be discussed openly?

Staples tennis players were among the large crowd at Friday’s Town Hall hearing. 

None of those questions were answered.

After more than 2 hours of debate, the board reached a consensus. The appeal hearing ended, because Hrisovulos had not been given timely, proper and legal notice that his contract was not being renewed.

What the hearing did reveal, however — through questions that were raised, and others that were not, yet loomed unasked over the proceedings — was a number of flaws in Athletic Department policies and procedures.

They include:

  • Evaluation of coaches by superiors.
  • Expectations of, and training provided to, coaches.
  • Support given to coaches by administrators.
  • Expectations of parents regarding the role of interscholastic athletics, and the coaches of those sports.
  • Handling of complaints made by parents, particularly those that go outside the defined chain of command (coach first, then athletic director, principal, and finally superintendent).
  • Process for timely, thorough investigations, including input from student-athletes.
  • Communication with, and respect shown to, student-athletes and their parents.
  • Transparent discussions of conflicts of interest.

One positive consequence of Hrisovulos’ long and expensive battle to retain his job as tennis coach is this: Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, Staples principal Stafford Thomas and athletic director VJ Sarullo have an opportunity now to refocus their relationships with coaches, athletes and parents.

They can re-examine policies regarding the hiring, supervision and evaluation of coaches. They can re-set expectations of when, where and how parents can make complaints known — and how to react once a complaint is made.

They can acknowledge the excellent work being done by so many coaches, in so many ways, for such low pay. They can celebrate coaches’ accomplishments, on and off the field and court — and help them improve in areas where it’s needed.

That’s what a team does.

And that’s how they win: together.

 

14 Comments

Posted in Categories, Education, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , , , ,

A Comment About “06880” Comments

Posted on January 14, 2025 | 45 comments

“All commenters must use full, real names.”

That’s been an “06880” rule for over a decade.

Occasionally, readers question the identity of another commenter.

When that happens, I first see if I can find any online mention of the writer — first in Westport, then anywhere else.

Failing that, I send an email. I ask for verification that the writer is who they say they are. I won’t post the info, I tell them — but I need to know they’re legit.

If it bounces back, the comment is deleted. If it’s a real email address, I wait for a reply verifying their identity. If I don’t get one within a day, I delete the comment.

Reviewing yesterday’s comments on a story about Staples High School coaches, I found 2 email domains — attached to very strong, arguably inflammatory comments — that, my security software said, are highly risky, and often used to obscure true identities.

I gave the commenters until 6 a.m. today to confirm their identities. I have not heard back, so I deleted both comments. Responses to their comments were also deleted.

I will reinstate them, if the commenters email 06880blog@gmail.com, and prove their names are real.

I will not post their personal information, or share it with anyone. But I need to know that every commenter is who they say they are.

I want to ensure that all readers take part in a meaningful community discussion, on this — and every other — important issue.

And that when readers weigh in, everyone else can evaluate where that speaker is coming from.

45 Comments

Posted in Sports, Staples HS

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: VJ Sarullo

Posted on May 6, 2024 | Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: VJ Sarullo

VJ Sarullo has just completed his first year as Staples High School’s athletic director. He came to Westport last spring, after 10 years at Jonathan Law High in Milford.

VJ has rejuvenated the school’s athletic department. He bolstered its social media presence, developed a leadership program, and is a visible presence at every sport. (Yes, he goes to games, matches, meets and practices for all 36 of them.)

The other day, VJ sat down with me at the Westport Library stage. We talked about the size and scope of Staples athletics; what it takes to keep teams on top (and what else is important besides winning); the role of coaches (and parents); what it’s like to be a high school student-athlete today — and what he’s learned about Staples, and Westport, over the past year.

VJ was a great guest: passionate, fun, with tons of stories. Click below to hear what he has to say:

Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: VJ Sarullo

Posted in Library, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged ,

Staples Student-Athletes Learn To Lead

Posted on October 2, 2023 | 7 comments

Being chosen as captain of a Staples High School sports team is a great honor.

Coaches congratulate the young man or woman. Parents beam with pride. Teammates look to their peer with new respect.

And then — just like that — everyone expects the teenager to lead.

For better or worse, sports programs help define a high school’s environment and culture.

Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo wants to make sure that at his school, that’s a positive one.

For that to happen, he says, leaders must know how to lead.

VJ Sarullo

So, starting this year, Sarullo is bringing together dozens of captains and future leaders. He’ll give them the tools to create a positive culture — one, he says, that can spill over into the entire community.

Actually, he won’t “give them” those resources. He’ll help them discover them on their own.

Sarullo became athletic director in March. He organized a similar Leadership Council at his previous school, Jonathan Law High.

But there were only a couple of dozen varsity sports at the Milford school. Staples fields 39 varsity teams. That’s a lot of students thrust into leadership roles.

This summer, Sarullo asked all 39 varsity coaches for the names of captains. For winter and spring teams that did not yet have them, he asked for potential leaders.

He got 98 names.

The AD asked them all:

  • What are your personal goals, as a Leadership Council member?
  • What areas should we focus on, to improve our Athletic Department?
  • What areas should we focus on, to improve Staples High School overall?
  • What other suggestions do you have?

Answers came quickly. Major themes included:

  • Equal treatment for all teams and genders, in areas like funding and facility usage.
  • A voice for athletes.
  • Increased recognition of student-athletes, in areas like social media.
  • Ensuring that everyone — including freshmen, transfers, and newcomers to a sport — feels welcome and involved.

Two weeks ago, the Leadership Council held its first meeting. It was, Sarullo told attendees, “the only time all year I want to start off by talking to you. From here on, I want you to drive this.”

The first meeting of the Staples High School Leadership Council.

After presenting the survey results, the leaders broke into small groups. Each included a wide range of teams, and both genders.

They brainstormed ideas. Some were broad: a welcoming field day for all athletes. Others were specific: an explanation of the budget process.

All, Sarullo says, will help focus the Leadership Council the rest of the year.

“This is all about being better,” Sarullo says. “This department already has a great culture. But we want to make sure that everyone feels welcome, feels that they’re treated equally, and supports each other. And that affects the entire school.”

The next meeting will feature Dan Switchenko, former baseball coach at Eastern Connecticut State University. He’ll help the teenagers understand the connection between leading by example, and team culture.

The Leadership Council will meet monthly, at 7 p.m. (Chartwells — Staples’ food service — provides food for athletes just coming off a practice or game.)

Student-athletes like Santi Alfageme (#15) are learning to lead, on and off the field. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)

As they learn about leadership, Sarullo is learning from them.

“These kids are honest, and incredible,” he says.

“They all dug in, right from the start. I had to get them to stop their meetings, so they could get out of there by 8:30.”

After all, they still had homework to do. Games to prepare for. Teams to lead.

A captain’s work is never done.

(If it happens at Staples — or any other Westport school — “06880” wants you to know about it. Please click here to support local journalism. Thank you!)

7 Comments

Posted in Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged ,

Roundup: The Porch At Christie’s, Kids’ Food, Vaccinations, More

Posted on February 5, 2021 | 18 comments

====================================================

Renovations are coming along well at The Porch at Christie’s — the new  breakfast/lunch/dinner-to-go (plus brunch, coffee, smoothies, baked goods and ice cream) spot that will build) upon a Cross Highway tradition dating back to 1926.

Owners Andrea and Bill Pecoriello — “proud Westporters since 1994” — already own Sweet P Bakery in Norwalk, providing job training and employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sweet P will supply most of the baked treats for The Porch. Graduates of its programs will bake there, with 2 amazing pastry chefs. Additional Sweet P staff will work in front-of-house operations.

As the sign below notes, The Porch will open this spring — offering “local food, community and purpose.” Follow online, or on Facebook and Instagram (theporchatchristies; @sweetpbakeryct). For more information, email info@theporchatchristies.com.

(Photo/Wendy Cusick)

======================================================

Carrie Kerner and her husband moved to Westport in September.

She owns a PR firm (CG Social Inc.) and is a social media influencer (@CarrieGeorgette). Her husband Brian is an anesthesiologist at Yale Hospital.

They are foodies, and conscious of what they feed their 1-year-old daughter Chloe — mostly homemade, organic, healthy meals.

Yesterday morning, “CBS This Morning” featured the family in a story on a government report that baby foods are tainted with dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury.

It’s not something she’s thought about before. Now she will. Click here for the full, frightening story.

======================================================

There’s a new COVID vaccination site, not far away.

Harry Evans reports it opened this week at 110 High Ridge Road in Stamford (the Lord & Taylor parking lot). He called Wednesday to schedule an appointment, and I got one for the next day.

He was in and out yesterday in 20 minutes — including the 15-minute waiting time after the shot itself.

“Everything was easy and very efficiently run, and extremely easy to reach from Exit 35 on the Merritt,” he reports.

“When the word gets out it may be mobbed. But right now it is the only drive-through facility in Fairfield County.” Harry called Connecticut’s COVID assistance hotline: 877-918-2224.

Though Connecticut is one of the leading states in the nation in terms of percentages of vaccines administered, it is still available only to people over 75, healthcare personnel, medical first responders, and residents of long-term care facilities. The next phase will include people 65 to 74.

=====================================================

In 2005, Deborah Dohme got a parking ticket in New Canaan.

Six years ago she moved from Westport to Tucson.

Yesterday she got a letter, demanding $30. It was the first notice she’d gotten as a scofflaw.

“Is New Canaan that desperate for money, that they hired a debt collector for $30 after 16 years?!” she wonders.

======================================================

Overheard at the library, by Michael Catarevas: “Excuse me, but there is no sitting allowed in the library.”

“That sums up the pandemic perfectly,” he says.

The Westport Library Forum, way back a year ago.

======================================================

Today’s New York Times includes a story on Samuel Fisher — aka Brad Holiday — the 2007 Weston High School graduate/misogynistic dating coach arrested last month for his involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the US Captiol.

Investigators found a shotgun, machetes and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition in his Chevy Tahoe

Despite plenty of information about Fisher/Holiday’s social media posts celebrating his role on the storming of the building — along with other videos “denigrating women (and guides on) how to defeat Communists, expose what he claimed were government pedophilia cabals, and properly wield a Glock.”

However, the Times story does not mention Weston. It says simply that he “grew up in New Jersey.” Click here for the full story.

Samuel Fisher in Washington on January 6.

=======================================================

And finally … happy 77th birthday to the multi-talented Al Kooper.

He wrote hits like Gary Lewis & the Playboys’ “This Diamond Ring” …

… played organ on Bob Dylan’s groundbreaking “Like a Rolling Stone” …

… was the Blues Project’s keyboardist …

… and discovered, produced and performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

18 Comments

Posted in Children, Library, Local business, Media, Politics, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , , , , ,

Roundup: Vaccines, Liquor Stores, Real Estate, More

Posted on February 4, 2021 | 6 comments

=====================================================

How many Westporters have been vaccinated?

As of February 1, 2,289 Westport. That’s 8% of our total population.

According to Westport Patch, we have 2,094 residents over the age of 75 — the first group in line for the vaccine (along with medical personnel and first responders). Nearly 54 percent — a total of 1,095 — have received their first dose.

=======================================================

Westport has plenty of small, independently owned liquor stores. Nearly every Westporter has a favorite.

Now a “superstore” has entered the mix.

Yesterday, trucks delivered supplies to BevMax’s new outlet in the former Pier 1 store — the Julien’s Pizza shopping center on Post Road East. In other words: directly opposite Castle Wine & Spirits.

BevMax has 8 locations in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, plus a nationwide shipping office in Stamford. There’s a BevMax in Norwalk, near Stew Leonard’s.

They bought the license of Saugatuck Grain + Grape, which had relocated from Railroad Place to Post Road West. The owner of a liquor store can move anywhere in Westport that zoning allows.

Last year, plans were underway to convert the entire Julien’s shopping center — except for the Bluepoint Wellness medical marijuana dispensary — into medical offices. The plaza has since reverted to retail use.

(Photo/Jack Krayson)

======================================================

The other day, “06880” posted a few “sizzling real estate” statistics. Here are a few more:

January saw a continued swift pace, despite the decrease in months of supply in inventory. Here is a quick snapshot of this past month:

  • $70,956,000 total sales, vs. $33,796,846 total January 2020 sales — a more than 100% increase.
  • 40 single-family and condo units sold in January; 25 single-family and Condo units sold in January 2020 — up 60%.
  • $1,318,000 was the median home sales price; in January 2020 it was $1,012,500. That’s more than a 30% rise.
  • The home inventory supply was 2.4 months; a year ago it was 9.3 months. That’s a 74% decrease.

The highest sale in January was a 5-bedroom, 8-bathroom home listed with Brett and Jean Lieberman at 4 Bluewater Lane: $5,125,000. (Hat tip: Jody Peters, the Riverside Realty Group)

4 Bluewater Lane

======================================================

Seven Staples High School athletes signed letters of intent yesterday to play sports at NCAA Division I universities.

Congratulations to (from left in photo below): Kevin Lynch, University of Massachusetts lacrosse; Julia DiConza, Lehigh University lacrosse; Carter Kelsey, Seton Hall University baseball; Autumn Smith, Marist College soccer; Laine Ambrose, Boston College field hockey; Shira Parower, James Madison University lacrosse; Sam Milberg, College of the Holy Cross football.

=======================================================

Speaking of Staples: Composting has come to the high school cafeteria. It’s an initiative of the school’s Zero Waste Committee. Students will serve as monitors.

Composting is already underway at several Westport schools.

Greens Farms Elementary School offers 3 choices for waste. The same options are now available at Staples High.

======================================================

MoCA Westport and Up|Next Teens are partnering to present a Winter Lights Festival at MoCA. It’s set for Saturday, February 27 (noon to 6 p.m.).

The Festival features a maker and crafts space in a large outdoor tent, with supplies and step-by-step instructions for families to work together to create winter-themed decorations. The decorations will be incorporated into a walk-through Light Path, to be lit at sun down. The public can view the experience through the following weekend.

Also planned: live performances by high school musicians, food from The Melt truck, and hot cocoa.

The Festival includes free entry to MoCA ’s exhibition “Hindsight is 2020,” showcasing nearly 200 high school student artists from across the region.

Click here for tickets.

======================================================

And finally … happy birthday to Alice Cooper. He was born on this day in 1948. In other words, he’s no longer 18.

6 Comments

Posted in Arts, Environment, Local business, Organizations, Real estate, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , , , , ,

Qdoba, SHS And ALS

Posted on August 20, 2014 | 6 comments

Qdoba — the new Mexican restaurant that will enliven/add to the traffic chaos of Playhouse Square — had a special pre-opening tonight.

Everything was on the house. Diners were asked to make a donation — 100% of which went to Staples High School athletics.

The Qdoba crew, working hard tonight.

The Qdoba crew, working hard tonight.

Qdoba opens for real on Monday. From 5-9 p.m., pay whatever you want. 100% of the proceeds will go to the local ALS Association.

That’s a far better deal than pouring an ice bucket on your head.

Welcome to Westport, Qdoba.

And ¡muchas gracias!

6 Comments

Posted in Organizations, Restaurants, Staples HS

Tagged , ,

Staples’ (Michaels) Cup Runneth Over

Posted on September 23, 2010 | 3 comments

“We’re Number One!”

High school sports fans yell that loudly and proudly whenever their team wins a league or state championship.  Over the years, Staples teams in a broad range of sports — soccer, football, track, volleyball, golf, tennis, you name it — consistently win titles.

Now the entire Staples athletic program is officially Number One in the state.  And all 33 varsity sports — plus the trainers, administrators and spectators — have contributed to the “victory.”

Staples was named winner of both the “LL” (extra large schools) and overall Michaels Cup awards this afternoon.  The “LL” honors come regularly, but this is the school’s first overall Michaels Cup since 1989.

Wins and losses by all varsity teams is part of the criteria — but only part.  A well-rounded athletic program is also important.

Judges look at participation numbers and rates; programs addressing academic support, sportsmanship and substance abuse; development of non-CIAC sports (like rugby and sailing); medical education and coverage, and participation in Unified Sports for athletes with special needs.

Athletic director Marty Lisevick thanked his entire coaching and support staff, along with Staples and town administrators, for their contributions in helping win the 2010 Michaels Cup.

3 Comments

Posted in Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , ,