TEAM Westport Announces Winners for Essay Contest
Westport’s 2022 Teen Diversity Essay Contest Awards Ceremony was held on Monday, April 4th at the Westport Library. The contest, co-sponsored by TEAM Westport and the Westport Library, was the ninth annual.
For First, Second, and Third place winners, the Contest presents awards of $1,000.00, $750.00, and $500.00 respectively. This year’s essay challenge was:
“Why can it be so difficult to talk about race? Trevor Noah, award winning comedian, writer, and television host from South Africa, says “... the first thing we have to do in any conversation is figure out what the words mean in the conversation that we’re having.” In 1000 words or fewer, describe what you would like to explain to people in your community who avoid or struggle with talking about race or acknowledging systemic racism, or who apply a colorblind approach to issues.”
This year’s winning essayists are First Place: Ian Patton (11th grade), Second Place: Colin Morgeson (11th grade) and Third Place: Leigh Foran (10th grade). All are Staples High School students.
Ian Patton’s first place essay, “How To Be A Good White Person” explored the challenge from the perspective of identity. Colin Moredon’s essay, “Villains of Our Stories” took second place and focused on the Critical Race Theory meme. Third place essayist, Leigh Foran’s “Embracing Privilege to Tackle Racism” plumbed the dynamics of privilege to address the challenge.
According to TEAM Westport Chair Harold Bailey, “The capability to talk about race is critical to the resolution of one of our nation’s ‘centuries old’ disconnects. Yet such discussions often get derailed before they begin by various layers of murkiness and misunderstanding. What is so impressive and consistent among each of this year’s winning essays is the clarity with which they diagnose the hurdles and offer solutions despite their different perspectives.”
“I want to express my appreciation to TEAM Westport and the Library for conducting this annual event and for providing our youth with the opportunity to explore the issue of race from different viewpoints and perspectives,” commented First Selectwoman Jen Tooker. “My heartfelt congratulations to the contest winners and appreciation to all the young people who participated in this important civic event.”
“Connecting and engaging the community in timely and topical conversations is a fundamental purpose of a public library,” remarked Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “Having teens explore how race is woven into the fabric of American society is an example of how the Library is fulfilling this important aspect of our mission.”
Link to Winning Essays: https://www.westportct.gov/home/showdocument?id=57738&t=637846640429575282
Jean Wells Announced as Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal; Theme Honors Women Veterans
Town of WestportWestport, CT - President of the Westport Veterans Council William Vornkahl announced today that the Grand Marshal for the Memorial Day Parade is Jean Wells.
Jean was born in Indiana on May 30, 1917. She moved to Westport in 1926 and attended Bedford Elementary School, which now houses Town Hall. Jean also attended Katherine Gibbs School.
On January 15, 1943, Jean was inducted into the SPARS, the women’s division of the Coast Guard. She served at the U.S. Naval Special Hospital in Palm Beach, Florida. She attained the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class and was discharged on September 1, 1945. Jean returned to Westport and in 1957 she married David S. Wells. They have two sons, David and Jonathan.
Jean has been very active with the Red Cross with blood drives and has volunteered at the Norwalk Hospital for over 32 years. She has found time to visit with her fellow veterans at the VA hospital as well.
THEME
Also announced today is the theme for the Memorial Day Parade float contest - “Honoring Women Veterans.”
There will be certificates awarded in the following categories: Best Development of Theme, Best Youth Organization Float, Most Creative, Best Community Organization, Most Colorful, and the Best Overall Float.
On Memorial Day (Monday, May 30, 2022), the Parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. The route begins on Riverside Avenue, continues east on Post Road East, to Myrtle Avenue, to Main Street, and ending at Parker Harding Plaza.
Immediately following the Parade, memorial services will be held on Veterans Green.
Star 99.9's Anna & Raven Host Charity Dance-a-Thon For Tiny Miracles Foundation
One of 13 dance schools competing in the Dance-a-Thon at SoNo Collection, Norwalk
The Anna and Raven, Cadillac of Greenwich Dance-a-thon to benefit the Tiny Miracles Foundation was held on Sunday, March 27th at the SoNo Collection mall in Norwalk.
The popular Star 99.9 DJ's host The Anna & Raven morning show and emceed the charity fund raiser. The marathon dance event held from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm in the mall's "People's United Magnificent Room" showcased the talents of thirteen dance schools in Fairfield and New Haven counties featuring more than 150 students from young beginners all the way up to seasoned competition dancers.
Leading the fund raising effort was Center Stage Dance Studio of Stamford and the event raised well over $13,000 to help families with premature babies across Fairfield and New Haven Counties. Check presentation will take place at Center Stage Dance Studio on Monday, April 11th, at 1pm. (838 High Ridge Road, Stamford) Many forms of dance were represented; jazz, tap, contemporary, acrobatics, Broadway, Irish step dancing, Bollywood, and more!
Anna Zap first became involved with this charity when her family suffered a tragic loss of a child.Said Ms. Zap, "After my cousin, Tina, lost her premature baby in July of 2020, we wanted to do something to honor his memory. Our shared love of dance has always been an outlet and what could be better than six hours of beautiful dancers celebrating his life while raising money for other families going through the same struggles?" Co-host Jay Raven added, "STAR 99.9 is proud to help our local community and teaming up with all these dance schools to make Anna's dream become a reality was incredible. We can't wait to do this every year!"
The tremendous success of the event was in large part the result of the efforts of these fine dance schools: Project Dance Center, Shelton, Norwalk Academy of Dance, Norwalk, DL Studio, Darien, Center Stage Dance Studio,and The Ballet School of Stamford, both of Stamford, Conservatory of Dance, Wilton, Broadway on Barnum, and Stratford Performing Arts Academy, both of Stratford, Allegra Dance Studio, Greenwich, Goodman Performing Arts Center, Orange, BollyOn, Norwalk, Connecticut Dance Conservatory, Stratford and Lenihan School of Irish Dance, Monroe.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Showers, mainly after 11pm. Low around 43. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Showers, mainly before 2pm. High near 53. East wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.