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Thomas swimmer wins Section V scholarship

12 Feb
Zoe

Zoe Masters (photo courtesy sectionv.org)

And the accolades for our amazing Webster athletes just keep on coming.

Section V Athletics recently announced its fall 2019 scholarship recipients, and Webster Thomas swimmer/diver Zoe Masters was among the winners.

According to the Section V website,

Zoe started swimming on the modified team in seventh grade and has been swimming ever since. She shared that “my family says I’m happiest when I’m in the water and I have the great opportunity to be able to swim year round. Swim is my only sport.”

Her highlight of the season was being “a co-captain this season. Having that opportunity allowed me to interact with everyone on the team and not just the varsity girls.” After high school she is planning to study Mechanical Engineering at RIT, where she also plans to continue swimming. One word that best describes her is “intentional.”

Winners were chosen based on a letter of recommendation from their coach, their high school transcript and activities sheet, and their responses to application questions. More than 80 athletes applied for this season’s scholarships, and only 13 were chosen across the entire Section V.

Winners in each sport receive a $250 scholarship for each sport to be used toward future academic endeavors. To read about all of the other scholarship winners, click here. 

Congratulations, Zoe!

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Spry and Thomas to present Fiddler and The Music Man

10 Feb

Congratulations to the Webster Schroeder Drama Club for their outstanding production of Chicago over the weekend! The incredible talent that takes the stage every spring for Schroeder musicals continues to astound me.

SMS Fiddler on the Roof Poster V4Next up for theater lovers, Spry Middle School’s presentation of Fiddler on the Roof, which will be presented Friday, March 6 and Saturday March 7 at 7:30, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

Because of construction at Spry, the performances will be held at Willink Middle School. Stay tuned to websterschools.org for ticket pricing and purchase information. These Spry shows always sell out, so make sure to get your tickets as soon as you can.

The Webster Thomas Players will present the beloved classic The Music Man Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28 nightly at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by visiting  www.websterthomasplayers.com.

2020-Music-Man-Large-Color

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Bowling tournament to benefit scholarships

8 Feb

bowlingDust off those bowling balls and shoes and save the date for an enjoyable afternoon of bowling, all for a great cause!

On Sunday, April 26, Webster’s Special Education Parent-Teacher Association (SEPTA) will hold its annual bowling fundraiser to raise scholarship funds for graduating Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas High School seniors who are part of the district’s special education family.

The event takes place at AMF Empire Lanes, 2400 Empire Blvd., Webster. Check-in and lane assignment will be 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. with squad time from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Details are still coming together, but right now organizers are looking for teams to show off their hidden bowling talents. This is always a hugely fun event where teams dress up in theme costumes to win some awesome prizes. Cost is only $30 per person (teams of four or five), which includes two hours of bowling, shoe and equipment rental, pizza, unlimited soft drinks, two raffle tickets toward prizes, gratuity for AMG Empire staff, and (of course) money toward the scholarships.

For more information and/or to reserve a spot for your team, email Christine Schotthoefer at Christine_Schotthoefer@webstercsd.org. Registration ends April 15.  To sponsor or donate prizes, email Dina Malboeuf at Dina_Malboeuf@webstercsd.org.

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SparX blazes into the 2020 robotics season

7 Feb

Copy of Team Photo 1

Webster’s Team SparX is off and running with this year’s FIRST Robotics challenge,  called “Infinite Recharge.”

The challenge was described as

Two alliances work to protect FIRST City from approaching asteroids caused by a distant space skirmish. Each Alliance, along with their trusty droids, race to collect and score Power Cells in order to energize their Shield Generator for maximum protection. To activate stages of the Shield Generator, droids manipulate their Control Panels after scoring a specific number of Power Cells. Near the end of the match, droids race to their Rendezvous Point to get their Shield Generator operational in order to protect the city.

The moment the contest was announced, teams around the nation went to work creating 120-pound robots designed to tackle the challenges of the game. Teams have just six weeks to build, test and practice with an operating robot capable of completing the tasks (hopefully) faster than any other team, using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. The first big tests for their finished robot will be the Rochester Regional, scheduled for March 12-14 at RIT, and the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, March 26 to 28.

Community members are welcome to attend the competitions free of charge. But if you can’t make it out to RIT, you can meet the team members and see their robot at a SparX Open House on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webster Thomas High School café, 800 Five Mile Line Road.

Webster’s team 1126 is comprised of 38 students from Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools plus 16 adults. For more information about the robotics program, visit www.FIRSTInspires.org, and to learn more about our local team, visit www.GoSparX.org.

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Webster community mailbag

6 Feb

I’d like to lead off today’s mailbag with some notes from our schools.

KN AP social mediaA big Webster welcome to Sarah Welsh, the new assistant principal at Klem Rd. North Elementary, a position she will officially begin in March.

Welsh has 12 years of educational experience as an elementary special education teacher in Penfield. While there, she also served as the extended school year program principal and as a mentor and instructional coach to new teachers.

Welsh received her undergraduate degree from St. John Fisher College and master’s degree from Brockport. She and her husband Casey live in Fairport.

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Spry Middle School’s annual charity basketball game is almost here. Game day is Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Spry Middle School gym, 119 South Avenue. The event basketballfeatures a tournament between the school’s houses (Red vs White vs Blue) for girls and boys in grade six and then seven and eight combined, followed by a competition knockout games for students and staff. The evening culminates with presentation of the Spirit Stick to the winning house.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in advance at the school during Spry lunch periods February 24-28. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Rochester.

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The next Flapjack Benefit Breakfast hosted by the First Baptist Church of Penfield has been scheduled for Saturday Feb. 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. For $6 enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, real maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more. All February proceeds will go directly to help support Refugees Helping Refugees, an organization which seeks to foster the growth of Rochester’s refugee community by making them agents of their own advancement.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Rd., steps from four corners.

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Your next local opportunities to help save lives by donating blood are coming up next week.

Drives will be held Monday Feb. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd. and on Tuesday Feb. 11 from 1 to 6 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

It only takes about an hour, especially if you have an appointment, which you can make at redcrossblood.org. Or just stop in without an appointment. They’d love to see you.

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Looking forward to February Break, the Webster Public Library has all sorts of great programs for you and your kids.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 18, join a Book Swap Party from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 20 make some cereal box guitars from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Also on Thursday Feb. 20, join me and my fellow instructors from Strike Back Martial Arts for Family Night and learn some martial arts, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 21, from 2 to 3 p.m., get your taste buds working at the Pop-Tart Taste-Off
  • Also Friday, continuing through Saturday Feb. 22, check out an N-Scale Model Train display. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Visit the library’s website for more information about all these programs. The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. 

And while we’re talking about the library, here’s a quick reminder that I will be there on Friday Feb. 21 from noon to 3:30 p.m. just hanging out, if anyone would like to come by and say hi. If you’ve ever had any questions about my blog, how I get my stories, or maybe have a story of your own to tell me about, I’d love to hear it.

I’ll be there with my computer, working on some blogs, so come on by!

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram

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Webster teachers are “freezin’ for a reason”

30 Jan

polar plunge

We always knew that our Webster teachers are dedicated to our students. And if you’re not yet convinced, just check out what a bunch of them are planning to do in just a few weeks.

Almost a dozen teachers and staff members will be participating in this year’s Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 9.

I’m sure you’ve heard about this annual event. Basically, participants come together at Ontario Beach Park, strip down to their bathing suits (or tutus or Santa suits or whatever they choose to wear), and take a dip into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario. Some just run in and out, others dive head-first. Nobody stays in very long. (I can say that from experience as I did take part in this last year).

What is particularly amazing about this event is that all the participants RAISE MONEY for the privilege of doing this crazy thing. And this year, get this:

WTA

Our Webster Teachers Association (WTA) is currently the top fundraising team of the entire Plunge. 

Yep, as of this writing, the WTA team has raised a whopping $7,540, easily eclipsing the second place team. And the two tippy-top fundraisers of all? Lisa Foster ($2,670) and Bill Ambler ($2070), both teachers at Schlegel Rd. Elementary School.

All the proceeds, by the way, benefit Special Olympics. So all this craziness and fund-raising is helping out our district’s students big time.

The team has raised so much money that the folks at Special Olympics reached out to team captain Dan Crowley and offered to bus them over to the Plunge site. That’s VIP treatment for some real VIP teachers.

It is NOT TOO LATE to donate to the WTA team. Let’s keep them on top! Just click here to see all the team members. You can either donate to one of them, or to the entire team as a whole. In either case, our students will benefit.

plungers

Last year’s WTA team of Polar Plungers.

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Frozen comes to Willink!

26 Jan
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Kayla Keeling, Kristina Fisher

Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Sven from your kids’ FAVORITE movie, Frozen, will come to life on the Willink Middle School stage this coming Friday Jan. 31 and Saturday Feb. 1, presented by the Willink Drama Club.

You know the story. It centers on two sisters, Princesses Anna and Elsa, who rely on the powerful bond of sisterhood (and some fun new friends) to overcome danger.

Frozen Jr. will feature musical favorites including “Love Is an Open Door,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, and “Let It Go,” some new songs from the Broadway production, plus magic, adventure and plenty of laughs. You’ll definitely leave the theater with a light heart and a song in your head.

More than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders have worked long and hard to bring this wonderful production to the stage, so let’s get out there and cheer them on! (Your kids will love you FOREVER.)

Here are the details:

Frozen Jr. will be performed at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, on Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Children 3 and under are FREE.

Tickets will be available starting Monday Jan. 27 through the Drama Club website.

Here are some shots from the recent dress rehearsal:

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Kayla Keeling, Kristina Fisher, Jamiee Schelkun and Faustina Compton

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Julia Walters and Veronica Leistman

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Lilly Benefante, Jamie McCarthy, Kayla Keeling and Kristina Fisher

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It must almost be spring.

21 Jan

CAD3

It MUST almost be spring.

The reason I say that is that I recently saw a blast of flyers from organizers of the 44th annual Community Arts Day, the Webster School District’s annual student show-off day.

Community Arts Day is our school district’s annual show-off day. Students from every one of our elementary, middle and high schools will have artwork on display, including . sculptures, paintings, collages, sketches, and more. There are dance exhibitions, music concerts and martial arts demonstrations. There’s face painting, sand and candy art for the kids, a bake sale, craft vendors, community group exhibits, and food and drink concessions. Most everything (aside from the food, of course) is free, which makes this event an awesome family activity for a (what will probably be) a cold, wintry day.

Lots of details are still coming together, but here’s what the organizers need right now to help make this year’s event run smoothly:

Vendors:

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or exhibitor for this year’s event can click here  for more information and a registration form. Cost is $25 for exhibitors, $50 for vendors.

Performing groups:

Got a music or dance group you’d like to see on stage at Community Arts Day? Click here for more information and to register. Cost is $25.

Talent Show performers:

The “Webster’s Got Talent” talent show is also one of the most popular attractions at Community Arts Day. Singers, dancers and musicians are invited to participate. Acts should be 2-3 minutes long. So get your act together and register by April 7 by clicking here.  If you have questions, email the talent show coordinator, Jakob@JakobHRothfuss.com.

Sponsors: 

CAD sponsorship levels have been established to help offset the cost of the event. Sponsors at all levels will recognized in signage at both hostess stations at the front and back entrances, on the website’s main page and in several other ways. Sponsorship levels are Bronze ($75), Silver ($125) and Gold ($250). If you’re interested, click here for more information.

Volunteers: 

This event does not happen without a large number of volunteers. There are several ways you can lend a hand, including donating store-bought baked goods for the sweet-treats sale or working a morning, mid-day or afternoon shift in one of the activity areas, lunch counter, arts and crafts, face painting and others. Volunteer sign-up will begin the first week of March. In the meantime, you can find out more by clicking here. 

Volunteers: 

I know this is repetitive. But it’s really important. Please consider helping out, and get your teenagers to join you!

Stay tuned for more information about this terrific family and community event.

 

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Titans Hockey event a huge success

14 Jan

A quick update this morning from the organizers of the Webster Thomas hockey team’s recent Robert J. Smith Memorial Showcase. The event, held Saturday, featured four hockey games and benefited the American Cancer Society.

Word is, the event was “HUGELY successful.”  Through admission, raffles, a “chuck a puck” and apparel sales, the team raised thousands of dollars. 

Here are some photos from the evening, courtesy Deb Vent:

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The Robert J Smith tribute event included raffles and other contests.

The team’s next big event is its eighth annual Honor Our Heroes game to benefit CDS Monarch Warrior Salute. This will be a single game on January 31, when the Thomas Titans face Victor at 6 p.m. This event will feature a TV and gift card raffle, 50/50 and apparel sales. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens. Students, military and first responders are free with ID.

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Webster Schroeder kicks off spring musical season

12 Jan

Rehearsals are well underChicago Graphic3 (1)way for the first Webster high school musical of the season, Chicago, presented by Webster Schroeder Musicals in four shows Feb. 6 through 10.

Set in Chicago during the Roaring ’20s, the story follows dancer Roxie Hart, who murders her lover and convinces her husband to take the rap. When he finds out he’s been duped, he turns on Roxie, who is convicted and sentenced to death row. There, she joins forces with another “Merry Murderess” in search of headlines and — ultimately — acquittal.

The high school version of the very popular movie and stage play has been adjusted slightly to be more appropriate. But have no fear; the performance will still be plenty powerful, complete with most of the songs, dances and stunning set pieces that you’ve come to know.

And c’mon, it’s a Webster Schroeder musical. These kids are blow-your-mind amazing.

Chicago will take the stage Thursday Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Friday Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday Feb. 8 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15 and available online at ShowTix4U.com, and at all area Wegmans.

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(L-R) Ava Massaro and Maggie Nagar (photo courtesy S. Nagar)

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