James Bairaktaris 6/21/21 James Bairaktaris 6/21/21

Fifth Graders Sell Lemonade to Help Save their Beloved Teacher’s Dog

`(L-R) Dani Hill, Keira Reilly, Mrs. Gonzalez, Winston the French Bulldog, and Abbott Lynch and the lemonade stand.`

When local Kings Highway Elementary School fifth graders found out that their teacher’s dog was sick - three students took it upon themselves to set up a lemonade stand in the Kings Highway North neighborhood to help raise money for the pup’s GoFundMe campaign - and pass on the kindness she instilled in them.

Winston, a one year old French Bulldog, was diagnosed with Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). According to his campaign, IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst into the spinal cord space - causing great pain to the little dog. Treatment and pain management has proved an expensive journey for the family, which prompted the GoFundMe campaign to be started by friends of the local educator and her family. Winston’s owner, “Mrs. Gonzalez”, is one of the beloved fifth grade teachers at Kings Highway Elementary School.

So loved, in fact, that three of Mrs. Gonzales’ fifth grade students - Keira, Dani, and Abbot - decided they wanted to help the campaign. They designed a sign and began selling lemonade on the corner of Kings Highway North and Wright street last week. This weekend, Mrs. Gonzales brought Winston by the lemonade stand for his few minutes outdoors - the kids being able to meet the small frenchie they were working so hard to help. And today, on the last day of school, they’ll present their teacher with the funds they raised towards Winston’s treatments.

The trio of good kids want to make sure Westport Local Press readers know that donations can still be made to Winston’s GoFundMe campaign. Click here to donate to Winston’s campaign - let them know that the Lemonade Stand kids sent you.

Editor’s Note

Whether it be in the classroom or on Zoom, our schools’ students have learned not only academics from their teachers - but kindness, empathy, strength, and grit during some of the toughest times our education system may ever face. If your family has a teacher, paraeducator, or other school staff member who made a difference in your child’s life - email us with who they are and why they made a difference, and we’ll celebrate them as the school year comes to a close. It’s apparent in this story that Mrs. Gonzales made a difference in these three children’s lives, and through a simple cup of lemonade, they’re passing it forward.

James Bairaktaris 6/20/21 James Bairaktaris 6/20/21

Gallery: Staples Rugby Places 4th in the Nation in Kansas City; Arrives Home to a Hero’s Welcome

The Staples Rugby Team arrived home to a Hero’s Welcome, complete with an escort by the Westport Police Department. The high school rugby team made it to the Rugby National Championships in Kansas City, Missouri this weekend - taking home fourth place for the Country.

The team placed better than expected - as they were ranked as the #5 seed ahead of the match, with the Goff report saying “The best-kept secret of the tournament, Staples has compiled one heck of a season up in Connecticut. Winners over big dogs Xavier, Greenwich, and Fairfield, these boys are battle-tested and battle-accomplished. Jot them down as your dark horse now.“

Although champions on the pitch, it was the team’s good sportsmanship that made its way back to Westport as parents eagerly awaited their sons’ arrival. The team joined fellow Connecticut team Greenwich at the nationals, cheering on the usual Staples rival - with Greenwich cheering on Westport’s boys. Parents were quick to mention “they not only have a good coach, but a good role model as men” when speaking about head coach Dave Lyme. Lyme and his assistant coaches Neal Seideman and Jack Corcoran lead the team to victory this year after only starting the team a few years ago, with one team member saying that “they coached a team that hasn’t even been in consideration of being ranked to becoming 4th in the nation in the span of months.”

With graduation on Thursday, the senior members of the team were given a special graduation ceremony by Staples High School - allowing them to enjoy the celebration of finishing high school, and still being able to play at nationals.

The boys played on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in temperatures soaring about 100 degrees on the Missouri field. Today they’re home, enjoying the cool Westport temperatures and relaxing after a victorious three days.