Thomas High newspaper honors fallen firefighters

9 Feb

by Stephanie Boris, Webster Thomas High School

If it seems like I write a lot about Webster Thomas High School…well, you’d be right.  But I do work there, and so many good things happen in that school that stories ideas just fall into my lap.  Plus, teenagers get so much bad press these days, I like to try to balance that out with news of the great things they can do, and are doing for their school and community.

Today’s blog is no different.  It’s about a bunch of Thomas kids who have gone above and beyond to create a lasting memorial to the fallen firefighters of the West Webster Fire Department. It’s something that I thought definitely had to be shared far beyond the high school’s walls.

The Webster Thomas High School newspaper is called The Courier, and lately it’s been published exclusively online by a small but very dedicated group of students advised by English teacher Mary Heveron-Smith. A week or so ago, though, the staff published a special eight-page print edition commemorating fallen firefighters — and Thomas High School family members — Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka.

I asked Heveron-Smith about the decision to publish this special edition in print instead of online. She explained,

It had to be print.  We’ve been working this year to develop our website, but we knew this had to be a printed issue of the newspaper.  There is something about print that still brings comfort. We wanted a publication that people could feel with their hands, could tuck away into a drawer and pull out again when they wanted to remember the amazing individuals whom we lost.

The resulting publication features submissions by current and former Thomas students and other community members. There’s a eulogy written as a Public Speaking assignment, a poem, and excerpts from the eulogy delivered at Mike Chiapperini’s funeral.  But the images are what really blew me away.  The photos and original artwork, many of which are printed in full color, almost brought me to tears. The one of Tomasz which illustrates the top of this blog was especially poignant.  Heveron-Smith wrote of this piece,

 …he is captured so perfectly — his eyes, his smile, his facial lines…If you knew Tomasz, you almost can’t help but smile in recognition when you see it.  The background is a blend of photos, headlines, and newspaper clippings — all seeming to remind us what happened that day, how many people were affected, how many stood out for their acts of heroism.

I’m going to stop blathering here, and just let you see the publication yourself.  Click here to download a .pdf  of the issue to read on your computer.

Click here to read Mary Heveron-Smith’s entire email, which explains in more detail how and why this issue came to be. (If you’re not on Facebook, you can click here for a .pdf version.)

You can pick up a paper copy of the special commemorative edition of The Courier at the Webster Public Library and at Hegedorn’s.

 

 

I’m kind of rambling this morning….

9 Feb

Normally, I like to try to write a blog every evening and schedule it to post first thing the following morning for people to read with their coffee. (You may have noticed the time stamps are usually 5:59, 6:00, something like that. No way am I actually conscious enough at that time of day to write.)

Last night , though, I hunkered down in front of the fire instead of writing, so I’m late today, and all I got for you are some brief — but important — announcements.

This from the school district:

Full Day Kindergarten Registration for the 2013-14 school year at Webster Central School District will take place February 12-14, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. or Wednesday, February 13 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at your child’s elementary school.  No appointment is necessary.

Your child is eligible for kindergarten if they will be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2013.  

Parents should bring a completed Registration Packet with them to registration.  Packets and additional information are available on the district web site at www.websterschools.org/kindergartenor by calling 216-0079.

Please note that the Kindergarten Orientation originally scheduled on Webster’s PTSA Calendar for Monday, March 18, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 28, at each elementary school. This will be an orientation program, not a registration event!

And this notice about a great event just for first responders and their families came in several days ago:

Fun Fest for First Responders’ Families

Attention Webster first responders! In gratitude for all you do, Spry Middle School is planning a Winter Fun Fest just for you and your families! The community’s firefighters, police and ambulance workers and their families are invited to come to Spry, 119 South Avenue, on Wednesday, February 20, 1 – 3 p.m., for a free afternoon of fun activities and friendship supported by Spry staff and students. There will be crafts, face painting, snacks, open gym, and a bouncy house!

Reservations would be appreciated; call Flora Senecal at 216-0093 by February 14.

Now, on a more personal note, I am happy to announce that I have been asked to take over as the East Extra community columnist for Our Towns. My column will appear every Friday in the eastside Our Towns beginning around the first or second week of April.  Current columnist Stacy Gittleman will be moving and has to give up the column. She has done a wonderful job, and I hope to be able to continue to provide the level of excellence you have come to expect from her.

The good news is, I will still be Webster’s community blogger. I’m having too much fun with this to just give it up. Bad news is, now I’m going to need even more story ideas.

So, faithful readers, spread the word. If you work in any of the eastside towns or have family or friends there, keep an eye out for stories about interesting people and places.  My new email for the column is dandceastextra@gmail.com.

Finally, make sure you tune in tomorrow for a blog about a very moving tribute to Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka prepared by students at Webster Thomas High School.  It just might make you cry.

 

THIS is Webster

9 Feb

I didn’t think fast enough to get a photo of this, so you’re just going to have to believe me.

As I drove home from school today, the traffic was crawling down Five Mile Line Road, heading south towards Ridge Road. I surmised that cars were having trouble navigating the small hill just as Five Mile meets Ridge. Sure enough, as I neared the intersection, I saw exactly what I expected: cars sliding to and fro as their back tires tried to get a grip.

But I also saw something very unexpected. As the car in front of me struggled to get up the slight incline, a young man, wearing a light winter jacket and no gloves, walked behind the car and started to push it.  And he kept on pushing, for a good 30 seconds, until it was clear the car could continue on its own.

Then the man stepped to the side of Five Mile Line and waited for the the next car that needed a push.

Talk about paying it forward.  THIS is what Webster people are like.

 

High school students are paying it forward — a lot

9 Feb

Who says kids only think of themselves these days?  The students at Webster Thomas High School have filled an entire wall near their cafeteria with slips of paper that say different.

Each pink slip — and there are about 200 of them — has a simple phrase written on it, describing an act of kindness that student did for another.  They range from simple (“picked up a pencil for Joe”) to extensive and expensive (“donated $500 to the food cupboard”).  And more of them are being added to the wall every day.

The students are responding to the “Pay it Forward” initiative that was introduced at Thomas High School about a month ago by the school’s CARE Team. Students were shown Pay It Forward videos and were challenged to find their own ways to give back to their school and community. Filling out the pink slips is just one way they’re doing that.

Tomorrow, that challenge will be extended to the greater Webster community.  At Saturday night’s Webster Schroeder vs. Webster Thomas Staff Benefit Basketball Game, community members will be invited to take the Pay It Forward challenge themselves.  CARE Team member Catherine Smura explains,

 This is a great way to get the entire Webster community involved and provides an opportunity for everyone to make a pledge to pay it forward in their own way. The pink slips will be posted around the gym that night at the game and everyone will be able to see the great plans that others have created.

The slips say “My Plan To Pay It Forward Is…,” and more than 2000 of them have been copied and cut, ready for the game. That’s a lot of slips. That’s a lot of kindness.

Which brings me back to the pink wall. I paused there yesterday for several minutes and looked closely at the comments students had made.  They were all very nice, usually simple and specific gestures.  Closing a mailbox. Helping someone learn to dance. Helping with homework.

But my favorite was not very specific. It simply said, “I made someone feel good about themself.”  What a better world this would be if we could all aspire to that simple life goal.

Hope to see you at the game Saturday night. It begins at 7 pm at the Schroeder High School gymnasium.  This is the game where three Webster educators are going to have their heads shaved at halftime. You do NOT want to miss that. Tickets are $5 each and should be available at the door. Feel free to print off the Pay It Forward skip below, fill it out ahead of time and bring it with you. Get a head start on kindness.

 

This is why you were saving those Beanie Babies

9 Feb

I got an email yesterday from a friend who’s working with a wonderful group of young ladies from the Browncroft Community Church, and asked that I pass along some information about their community service project.

This enterprising group of fourth graders has partnered with Dress a Girl, an international organization based on North Winton Road which provides dresses and small toys to girls living in extreme poverty all around the world.  They began the project by bringing in their own toys, and then asked friends and neighbors. Some of the girls have also talked with their principals and have organized collections in several Webster schools.  Now they’re reaching out to the greater community.

The girls are looking for Beanie Babies, small stuffed animals and fast food meal toys to donate to Dress a Girl.  I’ll bet everyone has at least a few of these hanging around the house; I know I have a boxful tucked away from when my kids were little.  So when you’re doing your spring cleaning in the next few weeks, throw some in a box, and drop them off at Browncroft Community Church’s ministry office, 2530 Browncroft Blvd., Penfield.

The girls’ goal is to collect 1,000 toys.  Let’s help them get there.

Dress a Girl is a part of Angels of Mercy, 692 N. Winton Road.  Click here for more information about this wonderful organization.

 

Browncroft Community Church’s “Pioneer Girls” are shown presenting their first collection of 110 toys to a local Dress a Girl representative.

OMG! IDK WTH these stickers mean!

9 Feb

Have you noticed the recent proliferation of those oval bumper stickers with the initials on them?

I’m sure you’ve seen them. They’re usually white with thick black borders and say things like “ADK,” “SLX,” “QKA” or “BHV.”  Most of the time you’ll see just one stuck to a bumper or window, but sometimes they travel in packs.  Like yesterday, as I was driving down Ridge Road, I was following a car that had stickers that said SOBX, WEB, NC, EI, SLX and LAX. (He must have been a collector.)

They’re all very confusing. I mean, with your regular rectangular bumper sticker, there’s no doubt where you stand. You’re proud of your honor student. You’ve conquered some mountain. You heart your shih tzu.  But I can only guess what “SOBX” means.  So what’s the purpose of putting a sticker on your car when YOU’RE the only one who knows what it means?

But these folks are obviously proud of SOMETHING, so I do my best to try to figure them out.  Mr. Collector, I have decided, is a very unhappily divorced computer programmer who lives in North Carolina, sells employment insurance and trousers on the side, and has recently flown to Los Angeles.

Now I have to admit that I, too, have one of these oval stickers on my car. It reads WOF, and fewer than fifty people in the world know its significance. And I’m OK with that, because it’s important to me and that’s all that matters. So I guess I can’t judge anyone else who has a fixation with these cryptic message stickers.

But I won’t be joining the Association for Silly Stickers anytime soon. And if I do, I will certainly NOT put their oval sticker on my car.

 

Is it prom season ALREADY?

9 Feb

These are prom dresses?

Obviously it must be, because we got a glossy flier in the mail yesterday plastered with seductive photos of models wearing this season’s latest prom fashions and striking various “come-hither” poses. It was from The Jacqueline Shoppe, “Your Prom Specialty Store,” in Williamsville. (I guess being a “specialty store” is why it’s a “shoppe” and not a “shop.”)

When I saw the flier, several questions immediately came to mind.  Like, how did a dress shop in Buffalo get my daughter’s address?  How old ARE those “high school girls” in that catalog, really? I’m guessing several of them failed senior year at least a dozen times if they’re still in high school.  And why are you still sending us these things when my daughter graduated last year?

But mostly, as I look at it, I wonder what high school proms have come to.  I swear, some of the dresses in that are little more than bustiers.  The ones that do have some fabric to them are see-through, feathered, and almost exclusively strapless (I wonder how they’re even staying up on some of these “girls.”)  They have names like “Night Moves,” “Flirt,” and “LaFemme.” So much for just going to a prom to dance.

I posted a blog about this subject exactly one year ago, the first time I got a flier from this “shoppe.”  I pretty much had the same reaction back then. I wrote,

We got a flier in the mail the other day advertising prom dresses. Like a good mother, I looked it over, thoughtfully examining this year’s styles and colors. Then I said, “Sure, maybe I could buy one of these for Erin. That is, if I really want her to go to the prom looking like a hooker.”

I mean, really. Have you SEEN some of these dresses? It’s like they’ve taken inspiration from Madonna during her Disturbing Wardrobe Period.  Or Elton John. Honestly, a few of the dresses reminded me of  John’s feather costume when he played “Crocodile Rock” on The Muppet Show. And then there’s the one that looks like a cross between a cocktail waitress and a French maid. Sheesh.

I know that prom season is a fun and exciting time in every girl’s life. But I have never understood the need to drop a month’s salary on a designer dress you’ll wear once, shoes which are impossible to walk in and will be off your feet in 15 minutes, limousines, pre-dinners, post-dinners…all on top of prom tickets which can cost $50 or more each.

When did a nice, romantic school dance with your best guy turn into such a overblown production? Just go out there, kids, have fun, make good decisions and be safe. And as for each one of you young ladies, remember that you are a beautiful person already; you don’t need to sell yourself.

 

Village Republican party announces candidates

9 Feb

The village political season has begun.

The Republican Party in Webster has officially announced its slate of candidates for Village Board.  In doing so, they didn’t hand us any surprises.  Three positions on the Board are up for grabs — two trustee seats and mayor — and the three people who are currently holding those positions are running for re-election.  They are Trustee David Kildal, Trustee Christine Reynolds and Mayor Peter Elder. The three candidates have also earned the endorsement of the Conservative and Independence parties; it’s the first time any village candidates have received all three endorsements.

I don’t think the election is going to be a cakewalk this year.  If you put your ear to Main Street you’ll hear some definite rumblings from residents who are not happy with the current Board’s policies, especially with regards to the Monroe County Water issue.  So as soon as the Democrats announce their candidates, I think things are going to get very interesting.

I look forward to finding out who those candidates will be, and passing that information along to you all. In the meantime, here are the official biographies for your Webster Republican Party candidates for Trustee and Mayor:

MAYOR

Peter Elder is a life-long Village resident. He was first elected Trustee in 2005 and has served as Mayor since 2010, winning election as Mayor in 2011. Peter has been active in the economic development in the Village business district and has served for 7 years as a member of the Business Improvement District Board of Directors. He is Vice President of the Webster Community Coalition for Economic Development. Elder has championed improving Village infrastructure including support for the improved waterlines in the north section of the Village, the relining of the waterline in the Wilmorite tract, and the acceleration of street repairs. Peter has also been a proponent of enhanced public access to Village government and led the effort to have Village Board meetings, Board packets, and agendas posted on-line. Peter is liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee and Village Band. He is a member of the Webster Lions Club. He lives at 59 Dunning Avenue.

TRUSTEE

Dave Kildal has lived in the Village for about 20 years and has served as Trustee for five years and was most recently elected in 2009. Dave has been Deputy Mayor for two years. A 16-year volunteer veteran of the Webster Fire Department, he also served 11 years as a volunteer member of the Monroe County Hazmat Team. He is Village Board liaison to the Cable Access Commission, the Village Sewer Department and Village Water Departments. He is also liaison to the Webster Fire Council, the Northeast Joint District, and the Webster Police Department. He lives at 13 Sherwood Ave.

TRUSTEE

Christine Reynolds is a 19-year resident of the Village and has been Trustee since her election in 2009. She is liaison to the Business Improvement District, the Webster Association for Senior Transportation, and the Village Citizens Advisory Committee. She is a former member of the 1994 Comprehensive Plan Committee, liaison to the Village Parks Committee and a former Girl Scout troop leader. She was recognized in 2011 as Volunteer of the Year for the Bay View Family YMCA. Christine is a past PTSA membership chair of the State Road School PTSA and lives at 64 Kircher Park.

The Village election is March 19. If residents have questions, they can call Peter at 265-0671, Christine at 265-1377 or Dave at 872-5132.

YellowJackets’ new CD celebrates music’s power to bring the world together

9 Feb

The YellowJackets, Webster’s hometown a cappella group, is making waves again with a brand new CD.

OK, to be entirely truthful, the YellowJackets do not really belong entirely to Webster. The group actually hails from the University of Rochester, and the boys in it are from all over. But the group has a very Webster connection in former member Christopher Young.

You might remember the blog I wrote last February about Young.  At the time, he was working as a student teacher at Webster Thomas High School. But the previous summer he was a television star, performing with the YellowJackets on The Sing-Off, an NBC reality show featuring a cappella groups. The group did so well on the show they advanced to the final rounds before being eliminated.

Young has now graduated from the U of R, so he’s no longer a member of the YellowJackets.  But he does perform on the group’s new CD, which has just been released.

The CD is called United We Sing, and is the 16th studio album the group has released.  But (and I quote the press release) it’s “unlike anything the group has ever produced!”

I listened to some of it, and they’re right.

The album grew out of the YellowJackets’ visit to rural Kenya in the summer of 2011, where they shared their musical talents with Kenyan children, conducting workshops, learning traditional native songs and teaching students popular American songs.  The trip was designed to bring people together through the power of music. The resulting album is a continuing effort to do the same.

Its 13 tracks deliver the unification message through a mix of African songs, like “Jambo” and “We Bale Jesu,” and pop favorites “Africa” by Toto and “Waka Waka” by Shakira.  It features students from Kenya’s Mbaka Oromo Primary School and the World of Inquiry School in Rochester, and gospel artist Trey McLaughlin. The Sing -Off fans will also really enjoy the return of “Wavin Flag,” sung by the YellowJackets on season three, and a rousing rendition of “We Are the World,” featuring contestants from all of the show’s seasons.

United We Sing (Pamoja Tuimbe in Swahili) is available  in hard copy for $20 and digital download for $10 at www.jackets.org.  And what’s super great is that the boys have pledged to donate 100% of the proceeds to support music and education programs for students in need.  I totally believe that music can change a child’s life, because I have seen it happen. Maybe it can change the world, once child at a time.

Great music for a good cause. Doesn’t get much better than that.

 

The YellowJackets perform on The Sing-Off. Christopher Young is in the back row, on the far left.

 

WWFD benefit events continue to raise money for families

25 Jan

It is truly heartwarming to see that, almost a month after the Christmas Eve ambush, local businesses and organizations are still hosting special events  to benefit the West Webster Fire Department.

And I’m talking A LOT of organizations and businesses, and not just here in town, but all across the state, from Niagara Falls to Syracuse. There are so many events that it’s hard to keep track of them all.  Fortunately, you’ll find many of them on the West Webster Fire Department’s website.  As of this writing, a dozen of them are listed, starting this weekend, so check it out if you’re still looking for a way to help.

here are a few others which are not yet listed on the WWFD website:

This Sunday January 27, the Rochester Lancers soccer team will host a “First Responder Appreciation Day” at the Blue Cross Arena at their 1:00 pm match against the Missouri Comets. Several in-game and pre-game tributes will be dedicated to first responders in our area.  Injured firefighter Joseph Hofstetter will be Honorary Captain for the game, and all local first responders will be invited onto the field for a special ceremony.  The Lancers will wear black tribute jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game, and there will be performances by the Fire Department Band and the Keystone Pipe and Drum Band.

In addition, the Lancers will be offering a limited edition t-shirt honoring the memory of the fallen firefighters and all first responders.   Each T-shirt purchase will also include one ticket to the game.  Local orders for t-shirts can be picked up with the free ticket at the Lancers’ ticket table in the main lobby of the Blue Cross Arena on game day.  Distance orders will have their t-shirts mailed to them FREE of charge, compliments of Spinning Webs Internet & PC Services.  All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will go directly to the WWFD and the families impacted by the Christmas Eve tragedy.

Click here to find out more information about the game and to order a t-shirt.

After the game, stop by Larijames Salon and Spa, 2038 Empire Blvd., where they’ll be holding a “cut-a-thon” this Sunday January 27 from 1 to 6 pm.  Haircuts are $25, cash or check only, including a shampoo and blow-dry. No appointments will be taken. Proceeds will benefit the West Webster Fire Department fund.

Proceeds from the “cut-athon” will be presented at a benefit raffle for the families of Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Koczowka from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 29, at the Webster Applebee’s, 1955 Empire Blvd.  Tickets for that raffle can be purchased for $5 each at Empire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness, 1150 University Ave. Winners do not need to be present at the drawing.

Don’t miss the Webster Thomas vs. Schroeder Faculty Basketball Game on Saturday, February 9 at 7 pm in the Schreoder gymnasium, 875 Ridge Road, Webster.  Tickets are $5 and all proceeds will benefit the families of Tomas Kaczowka and Michael Chiapperini.  The highlight of the evening will be at halftime, when Webster Thomas Assistant Principal Sue Clark, Librarian Trish Warren, and Schroeder AP Jeremy McBride will have their heads shaved — if they can raise $5,000 before the game.

Tickets are expected to sell out before the game, so it’s best to get yours early.  They’ll be available at both high schools the week before the game.

If you would like to donate directly to the “going bald challenge,”  you can send a check made out to the WTHS Student Council, Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road, Webster, 14580.

Finally, on Sunday February 10, plan to have lunch or dinner at Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn, 1200 Bay Road in Webster. From 11 am to closing, Flaherty’s will donate 20% of your tab (not including tax or tip) to be split between the West Webster Fire Department and the Webster Community Chest to aid the families from Lake Road who lost everything.

Memorial t-shirts and wrist bands will be offered for sale and there’ll be a 50/50 raffle. Organizations are also encouraged to sponsor a table.  Call Flaherty’s at 585-671-0816 for more information.

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