Tag Archives: Webster Schroeder

Community Arts Day returns on Saturday April 13

6 Apr

It’s as sure a sign of spring as the first robin: The Webster Central School District’s — and the entire Webster community’s — grand show-off day, Community Arts Day, returns to Webster Schroeder High School this Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This very family-friendly festival, which is marking its 47th year, showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and involves the entire community in a day to celebrate the arts. It was created as a collaborative effort to raise money to encourage and enhance fine arts programs throughout the district. (Below are a few examples of the artwork from previous years. Click here for a full gallery from last year.)

Dozens of activities are planned throughout the day, including art displays, carnival games, crafts, community group exhibits and more. Webster student groups will present musical performances throughout the day, and the Webster’s Got Talent talent show will feature aspiring student singers, musicians, and dancers from 2 to 3 p.m. Community performing groups will fill out the schedule of events, and all the performances are free.

Admission to Community Arts Day is free. Proceeds from concessions, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District.  

For a complete schedule of events and map of exhibitors, follow the Community Arts Day Facebook page, where updates will be posted regularly.

By the way, organizers could really use some more volunteers at the event. Just a few hours of your time will help raise funds for your kids’ schools. Student and adult helpers would be more than appreciated! For more information, click here.  

Here’s something new at this year’s Community Arts Day which I particularly wanted to highlight:

This year, the Webster Central PTSA is partnering with the WCSD Music Department to offer a Used Instrument Donation Drive, an opportunity for families to donate their gently used instruments to students who aren’t easily able to afford a new instrument.

The Concert Wear/Coat Drive the WCPTSA does every fall is so successful, this seemed like another wonderful way to help those in need, while spreading the love of music. The school district will cover the cost of repairing any instruments that need repair.

A table will be set up at Community Arts Day where families can drop off their unused instruments, so pack up your old instruments and bring them along!

Also new at this year’s Community Arts Day

ALSO, this year, for the first time, I’ll be setting up a Webster on the Web table, where I’ll just be hanging out, hoping people will stop by to chat and perhaps feed me some good blog ideas.

Please look for my little table and stop by to say hi. If I’m not there, I’ll be wandering around the school with my camera, so watch for me out and about, too!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/6/2024)

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SEPTA Bowling Tournament returns

9 Mar

After a four year hiatus, Webster’s special education scholarship bowling fundraiser is returning on April 28.

The SEPTA Bowling Scholarship Fundraiser is a fun — and occasionally competitive — tournament which has been a tradition in our district for a long time, until it was sideswiped by the pandemic. But this year it’s back, and promises to be better than ever.

The tournament is hosted by the Special Education PTA and special education staff members from Webster Thomas and Schroeder high schools, with the proceeds benefiting scholarships for Webster CSD graduating seniors with special needs.

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 are encouraged to dress up in theme costumes to win some awesome prizes for most original, creative and fun/goofy.

The tournament takes place Sunday, April 28 at Bowlero Lanes, 2400 Empire Boulevard, Webster. Check-in and lane assignments are 1 to 1:45 p.m. with tournament play taking place from 2 to 4 p.m. Donation to play in the tournament is $35 per person with checks made payable to SEPTA. Registration includes two hours of bowling, shoe and equipment rental, pizza, unlimited soft drinks, three raffle tickets toward prizes, a gratuity for the Bowlero staff and (of course) money toward the scholarships. Registration is in advance and can be done online at tinyurl.com/SEPTA24 or by contacting Dina Malboeuf at dina_malboeuf@webstercsd.org. Indicate if your team needs bumpers or a ramp for wheelchair accessibility and if there is another team you would like to bowl with.

Deadline for registration is April 19.

Organizers are also looking for raffle prize donations. Please email Dina if your business is able to help out.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/9/2024)

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Catch Me if You Can comes to the Webster Schroeder stage this weekend

6 Feb

I had the pleasure Monday night of getting a sneak peek at Webster Schroeder High School’s upcoming spring musical, Catch Me If You Can, which takes the stage this coming weekend, Feb. 8 through 10.

The show tells the real-life story of con artist Frank Abagnale, who, from the age of 16, masqueraded as a teacher, pilot, doctor and lawyer, and wrote 17,000 bad checks to the tune of $2.5 million.

The musical drama’s plot largely follows the well-known 2002 film of the same name, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It opened on Broadway in 2011, receiving four Tony Award nominations and one Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

I’m a big fan of the film, and was very curious to see how a drama like that had been turned into a musical. But I’ve seen my share of Schroeder productions, and I expected to be blown away by this one, as I always am.

I was not disappointed.

Catch Me If You Can is not only well acted, with incredible voices I’ve come to expect from Webster Schroeder students, but it’s also funny. I was laughing right from the get-go, when the audience received the “airline safety procedures” presentation, complete with a seat belt and oxygen mask demo, and notice that we’d be having a “15-minute layover” in the middle of the flight.

Fans of the movie will notice that a lot of scenes have been eliminated and many others blended together, a necessary concession when translating a film to the stage. There are some impressive dance pieces, and LOTS of music, but every single one of the songs moves the story along and adds some meaningful character background. I actually left the theater humming one of the jaunty tunes.

The costumes are bright, and the set pieces are simple but imaginative. I was especially impressed by how quickly the stage crew could transform an airport into a living room, and may have gasped slightly when a huge airplane was lowered from the rafters.

Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is especially notable since it’s the first time the musical has been produced in our area. Artistic Director Carrie Zugelder said that Rush Henrietta High School was planning to stage it in 2020, but COVID put a halt to that. So, “it’s pretty much never been done in Western New York,” she said.

“We were intrigued by it,” she added, explaining why she, Music Director Katie Goodman and choreographer Cori Colombo chose it for this year’s production.

It’s not an easy show. It’s got a ton of characters, it’s got a ton of singing, lots of stage time for kids. We knew we had a really solid group of ladies and we knew we had some really star quality gentlemen. … There’s a lot of wealth to pass around and we knew we could cast it.

The show was challenging in other ways as well.

We have 41 kids in the cast and we have more than 350 costumes. The average actor on stage has between eight and twelve costume changes, which is crazy. And not only are there a lot of costume changes, there are lots of accessories. Kids have hats, they have sunglasses, baseball bats …it’s all over the place.

This is unlike anything that I’ve ever done before, but it’s a really, really great show.

I couldn’t say it any better.

Webster Schroeder’s production of Catch Me If You Can is a lighthearted adaptation of the movie which tells a fascinating story that will delight everyone, regardless of whether they’ve seen the movie or not.

You’re definitely going to want to catch this one.

Catch Me If You Can will be presented on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Tickets are $14 and available now through WebsterSchroederMusicals.com. 

A thousand thanks to Schroeder parent David Schiffhauer for the excellent photographs. Check out his work at DJSchiffhauer Photography.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/6/2024)

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Mark your calendars for the WCSD spring musicals

15 Jan

If you love live theater, then you’ll be excited to know that all four of our secondary schools are preparing right now to stage plays this spring. Here are the details:

The fun begins on February 2 and 3 when the Willink Drama Club presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Jr. This is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie, featuring lots of new music and all the characters you’ve come to love, including Nemo and his father Marlin, Dory, Crush the laid-back sea turtle, and the Tank Gang.

Show times are Friday Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Stay tuned for ticket information.

The following week, Feb. 8 through 10, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will bring one of my favorite movies to the stage, Catch Me if You Can. The musical drama follows the true story of con artist Frank Abagnale, and the plot largely follows the 2002 film of the same name.

It should be very interesting to see how this translates to a stage play. But I know for certain that Schroeder will do a great job with it. More to come about show times and tickets, on the website and Facebook page.

Spry Drama Club will present Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition on March 8 and 9 at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave.

In this one-hour adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home. SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. 

Stay tuned for more information.

Finally, Webster Thomas High School caps off the season with their production of DreamWorks’ Shrek the Musical from March 21 to 23 at the school, 800 Five Mile Line Rd.

You know the story; it’s pretty much the greatest fairy tale ever known, with all your favorite characters and songs. I don’t know the show times or ticket information about this one, either, so check back here or the district website for times and ticket information as performance dates near.

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

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(posted 1/15/2024)

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WCSD staff to play the Harlem Wizards

12 Jan

Just a quick notice today about a community event coming up this Sunday Jan. 14 at Webster Schroeder High School. It’s a basketball game — of sorts — between our One Webster School District staff vs. the Harlem Wizards.

I say “of sorts,” because a competition with the Wizards is as much a performance as an actual basketball game. But don’t get me wrong; the Wizards are without a doubt extremely skilled athletes. Matter of fact, over the years, more than 25 ex-NBA players have been on the roster. So those who know and appreciate basketball will be treated to slick dribbling, impressive teamwork, alley-oops and crazy slams. Non-hoop fans will enjoy the rest of the show, which, according to the Wizards website, is “funny, theatrical, exciting and spectacular,” causing the gym to “reverberate with ooh and aahs, laughter and enthusiasm.”

The game will be played on Sunday Jan. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. It begins at 1 p.m. with doors opening at noon. Advance-sale tickets are $12 for students and $15 for general admission. At the door they’ll be $15/$18. (Children 3 and under are free.)

Reserved seating tickets are also available for $22, “courtside plus” seats for $40 and “courtside player” seats — which include a jersey and opportunity play in halftime games) are $115.

Click here to buy advance sale tickets.

This event is brought to you by the Webster Central PTSA, which collaborates with district administrators to bring fun, educational and enriching programs, events, and assemblies to Webster students, faculty, parents, and community members throughout the school year.

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

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(posted 1/12/2024)

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Friends of the WPL get new shelves, courtesy Webster GeoTech

21 Dec

The Webster Public Library — and more specifically, the Friends of the Webster Library — received delivery on Tuesday of four brand new bookshelves crafted by the talented students of the Webster Schroeder GeoTech class.

GeoTech originated in 2018, offering select students the opportunity to explore math, science and technology through hands-on learning. Under the direction of teachers Kerry Crawford and TJ Milliman, the students have completed countless projects for schools and organizations within the district. A few months ago, for example, they crafted a sandbox for the preschool classes hosted at Schroeder High School.

Most recently, however, the students of the Geometry and Construction class focused their talents on a community project: building four new bookcases for the Friends of the Library’s lobby bookstore.

Gail Dominik, a Friends volunteer, originally approached the GeoTech class when it was discovered that four of the Friends’ bookshelves needed to be replaced, and the Friends were “thrilled” when Milliman agreed to have his class take on the project. The Friends provided the specifications, and the students were then responsible for completing the design based on those specs, determining the amount of materials needed, calculating the cost of materials, purchasing the materials, and of course building the shelves. All the Friends had to do was provide the funding.

Wheeling in a bookcase
The GeoTech students

The students and their teachers delivered the beautiful new shelves on Tuesday Dec. 20, and the Friends made quick work of filling them with books. Among those on hand for the installation were Webster CSD Superintendent Brian Neenan, Webster Town Councilwoman Ginny Nguyen, Webster Public Library Director Adam Traub, and Teen and Family Experiences Librarian Colleen Hernandez.  

The lobby bookstore is just one way the Friends raise money to support the Webster Public Library. The new bookshelves will provide a better shopping experience for patrons and, hopefully, help raise more money. Funds raised are used to provide library programming, add to the collections and for initiatives that are not covered by their operating budget. Thanks to several successful fundraising events this fall, the Friends were able to present a check to the library for $25,000.

The Friends, and all of us who love the Webster Public Library, owe a huge thank you to the students and teachers of Webster Schroeder High School for the shelves and their support of the library.

With the students are Friends chairperson Linda Wilson, library director Adam Traub, Kerry Croft, Tom Milliman, and town board liaison Ginny Nguyen.

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

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(posted 12/21/2023)

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Talent Showcase will feature Schroeder, Thomas musicians and special guest

11 Dec

Dozens of Webster high school students will present their musical and high-stepping talents at a combined Webster Schroeder/Webster Thomas Talent Showcase on Friday, Dec. 15 at Schroeder High School beginning at 7 p.m.

The Webster Show Choir will take center stage for the two-act show, which will also feature instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers from both high schools. They’ll be performing an outstanding variety of music from Broadway musicals to Chopin, from Usher to the Beatles. There’ll be dancers and a barbershop quartet. Basically, something for everyone.

PLUS….

Attending as a special guest that evening is the outstanding vocal trio Sincerely, Three, featuring 1998 Webster Schroeder grad David Kotary.  

Mark Angelini, Matt Rothenberg and Dave Kotary comprise Sincerely, Three, which Kotary describes as “a passion project that was just supposed to be a one-time offering online … with some of our friends that we quarantined with during COVID.” They soon realized they were creating a special sound, and decided to turn professional. They’ve since headlined on luxury cruise lines and regularly perform in Central Florida, most recently at Universal Studios.

Returning to his hometown of Webster — and his old high school — is very meaningful for Kotary. For starters, he’ll be performing on the stage where he acted in his first-ever musical production, the Webster Theatre Guild’s Oliver in 1993.

But more than that, he wrote,

My sister, Mary Beth Walker, also attended Schroeder for several years and our late mother, Mary Ann Kotary, was a 6th grade teacher for several decades at both State Road Elementary and Willink Middle School. So many memories have been shared on this particular stage, so it’s a huge honor to come back and perform among my best friends and mentors (Kim Lord and Laura D’Angelo) from home and my best friends from Orlando, Matt Rothenberg and Mike Angelini, the other members of “Sincerely, Three.”

On the day of the show, Sincerely, Three will also provide a series of workshops for students, talking about their background, how they got where they are, and providing tips on how to become successful in the music business.

Kotary is also excited about this opportunity. He wrote,

We hopefully can inspire even one student, whether musically inclined or otherwise, to realize their own potential by seeing that a silly idea that first had its spark in my dining room has now developed into a renowned business that has taken us on adventures across the globe. If we didn’t know how to do something, we learned how to do it:  Music editing, video production, marketing, sound design, website design, sales, etc.  The list goes on and on.

Don’t miss this dynamic group and our very own talented Webster high school students as they take the stage at the Talent Showcase, this Friday Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Suggested cash donation is $5.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/11/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

27 Oct

I’m going to head-up today’s mailbag with a few events which I haven’t mentioned in any recent posting, including this brand new one I only just learned about this week.

Webster Schroeder High School’s National Honor Society will be hosting a Trunk or Treat at the school on Sunday Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The NHS kids promise candy, popcorn, cotton candy and creative costumes. They’ll also be accepting donations for the Pirate Toy Fund, so if you can help, bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd. The Trunk or Treat will be held in the GOAL parking lot, which is on your right as you approach the Schroeder main entrance from Ridge.

Veterans and active-duty service personnel are invited to a free Veterans Day spaghetti dinner in appreciation for their service.
 
The dinner will take place Thursday, Nov. 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue. Reservations are required, so attendees are asked to call the school at (585) 216-0093 to reserve seats. If you’d rather pick up a meal and not eat at the school, you can also call to reserve a takeout order.
 
The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Attendees and pickup orders are asked to enter the school’s back parking lot off of Rt. 250, behind the cafetorium.

The next meeting of The Visionaries will be held on Wednesday Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

The Visionaries is a support group for community members who struggle with vision issues — macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or others. Members share their interests and opportunities with others, encouraging those with visual impairment to get the most out of their lives.

The Visionaries began in 2000, and at one time boasted as many as 80 members. In addition to regular monthly meetings, the group has taken outings to attractions like the Memorial Art Gallery, Geva Theatre, and Pike Stained Glass Studio. For their December 6 meeting, the group will return to the Memorial Art Gallery and in January will meet at the Webster Public Library.

There’s no need to register for any meeting, just come by and join in. For more information on The Visionaries, contact Ed Wilkonski at (585) 265-4167 or email wingstwofly@rochester.rr.com.

From the Webster Public Library, located in Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Rd.:

  • The library will be closed on Friday Nov. 10 for staff training, and will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • The Caps for Sale fundraiser is coming up Thursday Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hats will be $10 for children’s sizes and $15 for adult sizes and all proceeds benefit the Webster Public Library programs.
  • Also on Saturday Nov. 11, the library will hold their annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Book prices will start at $8 and prices are firm.
  • November 22 marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On Wednesday Nov. 15, MCC history professor Mark Sample tells the story of that tragic day and discuss some of the conspiracy theories. The hour-long program begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
  • The next Webster Business Spotlight program will focus on Schutt’s Apple Mill, on Thursday Nov. 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. Please register here.
  • The Webster Art Club Fall Show is going on right now at the library, through the end of November. This group meets for Open Art every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center and has meetings with guest artists and demos on the second Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome. For more information click here.

The next benefit spaghetti dinner at the Masonic Lodge is Friday Nov. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the lodge, 30 Orchard Street.

This month’s dinner will benefit the Webster Thomas Titans Cheerleaders organization. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. You can eat in or take it to go. Call (585) 872-3500 with questions.

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host an Indoor Arts/Crafts Sale at the Webster Recreation Center, Saturday Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be there. Proceeds will benefit WSPS, a non-profit organization which provides Webster seniors with rides to their medical-related appointments.

The West Webster Fire Department invites community members to help clean up the Lake Rd. memorial honoring fallen WWFD firefighters Lt. Mike Chiapperino and Tomasz Kaczowka, on Saturday Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.

Please bring gloves, weed trimmers, takes and trash bags. The memorial is located on Lake Rd. just past Sandbar Park.

I won’t go into much detail about any of these following events since I’ve written about them before, so if you want to find out more about any of them, check out the flyers below or just search for it on the blog.

  • DEA Drug take-back Saturday Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Justice Court, 1002 Ridge Rd.
  • Family Scavenger Hunt, Saturday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center
  • Santa’s Garage Sale at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., from Nov. 2 to 4.
  • A Concert Apparel and Coat event, Sat. Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
  • Friends of Webster Trails’ annual Hot Cocoa Hike, Saturday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Gosnell Big Woods Preserve.
  • Pumpkins on Parade, Saturday Oct, 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
  • The Village of Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, Saturday Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • The All in For Comfort Care Casino Night, Friday Nov 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Shadow Hill in Ontario.
  • The Webster BID’s annual Bourbon Bash, Saturday Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/27/2023)

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Schroeder grad takes home an Emmy

22 Oct

Yet another Webster graduate is making a name for herself.

Webster Schroeder graduate Samantha Hake ’08 recently won an Emmy for her work as a producer on the National Geographic film The Flagmakers, described on the website as “an intimate glimpse into the people whose hands make America’s most recognizable icon.” (Read more about the film here.)

Samantha wrote,

As a producer, I worked on this film for over three years with Co-Directors Sharon Liese and Academy Award Winner Cynthia Wade. I am extremely proud of the beautiful and poetic film that we created, all while navigating dozens of different languages among the subjects and a raging pandemic that tested our resolve to capture compelling stories while keeping our cast and crew safe.

The film screened at festivals nationwide and was shortlisted for an Academy Award before being nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy. 

Samantha with Co-Director Sharon Liese

After graduating from Schroeder, Samantha went on to study television, radio and film at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. During her senior year at college, she was accepted into the SULA program, a Los-Angeles-based professional program initiative, where she worked at a commercial production company on Super Bowl commercials. 

After college, she met director Sharon Liese and has worked alongside her to edit, shoot and produce several projects. (Read more about Samantha’s film career on her IMDB profile.)

Samantha received her Emmy at the 44th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards Ceremony held Sept. 28 at The Palladium Theater in Times Square. She described the experience as “truly a night of full, proud hearts.”

The saying goes, “it’s an honor just to be nominated” and it really is true. I felt so privileged to be in a room with and to be recognized by the most esteemed, ambitious, and creative filmmakers in the industry. When they announced that The Flagmakers won the award for outstanding short documentary, I know our team at home watching and our team at the ceremony all cheered together. Filmmaking is such a collaborative storytelling process and it’s an amazing feeling to share the recognition with everyone involved. 

Other projects Samantha has completed include Parker, a short documentary which, after premiering at Sundance earlier this year, was chosen as the only documentary in the Sundance Short Film Tour that screened in theaters nationwide. She’s also the co-executive producer on a new four-part true crime/cult documentary series which will be airing soon.  

In the meantime, you can stream The Flagmakers on Disney+.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/22/2023)

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Bygone blog — a walk through Webster High

26 Sep

You’ll remember the blog I recently posted about the proper pronunciation of Webster Schroeder High School. In addition to all the interesting comments I got on that blog, I got a follow-up question from one of my readers, who asked: When and why did R.L. Thomas High School change its name to Webster Thomas?

I’ll answer that question at the end of this blog. But it got me to poking around a bit online, where I happened upon this piece which I originally posted in 2014. I thought that those of you who remember the old Webster High would enjoy it.

A walk through Webster High
(originally posted March 27, 2014)

I happened upon my high school library’s stash of old yearbooks yesterday, and thought it would be fun to take a look at one. I chose 1958 — not coincidentally the year I was born — and started paging through it.

Naturally, I expected to see a lot of photos of clubs and activities that would seem quaint today. But I also saw a few things I didn’t expect, and some that made me giggle.

The high school back then — or more accurately, it was called the “Webster Central School” — was what is now Spry Middle School on South Avenue in the village. The class of 1955 was the first to graduate from this “new, larger Webster Central.”

The Webster Central School District Principal that year was Mr. Robert L. Thomas. He was ably assisted by Mr. Herbert W. Schroeder who, despite being brand new to the district that school year, received a glowing review in the yearbook.

“In the brief time we have known him,” the caption reads, “we have come to believe he is also a man with a ‘Forward Look,’ treasuring what is worthwhile of the traditional while adopting what is valid of the new.”

The faculty pages included several names you might also recognize.

  • Mr. Richard Batzing, previous Webster Town and Village Historian, taught 8th grade.
  • Miss Esther Dunn, who wrote Webster Through the Years, long considered the most complete encyclopedia of Webster history, taught grade 7.
  • Mr. William J. O’Rourke Sr., a highly respected and long-time Webster coach, led the varsity basketball team and taught Social Studies on the side.
Richard Batzing
Esther Dunn
Wm. O’Rourke Sr.

As I continued to page through the book, some other interesting things jumped out at me.

  • All of the girls looked exactly like my mother — at least from the photos I’ve seen of my mother in the 50s.
  • Members of the National Honor Society all wore robes, kind of like they were in a super-secret fraternity. Maybe it was back then.
  • The school had a “Safety Council.” Next to their photo, the caption read, “With an enlarged force of arresting officers patrolling, the Council promoted safety and respect for WCS in and around the school.” Can you imagine students trying to arrest students these days?
  • The Senior Play that year was Around the World in Eighty Days. This week, when the Webster Thomas production of Anything Goes hits the stage with its lavish set, I thought the photos of the senior cast members and their set pieces were charming.
  • This caption on the Junior High Girls’ Sports page: “The purpose of junior high girls’ intramurals is two-fold. The most obvious one is that it provides exercise for the release of extra energy.”
  • It was great to see so many familiar names in the advertisers listed at the end of the yearbook, who were all there in 1958, and are still there now, including Hegedorn’s I.G.A. Foodliner, Hedge’s Nine-Mile-Point Hotel, and Kittelberger Florist. Other familiar names (but not there any longer) were Bill Gray’s Stand, Burke’s Barber Shop and Lipinski Brothers Hardware. I’m sure there are plenty more that others would recognize, but I haven’t been in Webster that long.

Finally, I learned the Webster Alma Mater. I wonder why we don’t sing it anymore? It goes like this:

Where the Ridge Road forms a border
For the lake and sky,
Proudly stands our Alma Mater,
Dear old Webster High.

Flag of WHS, float for aye,
Old Webster High, o’er thee;
May thy sons be leal and loyal
To thy memory.

When the evening twilight deepens,
And the shadows fall,
Lingers long the golden sunset
On thy western wall.

On second thought, I know why we don’t sing it anymore.

****

(editorial note: apparently I spoke too soon. I got an email from Tom Pellett, president of the Webster Museum, who wrote that the alma mater is indeed still sung. He wrote:

Each year at the Webster High Alumni Banquet we close by singing the alma mater …. The tune is the same as Cornell’s and was written, I believe, by Wallace Rayfield back in the early 1900s. The “Webster High” Alumni ends with the class of 1962 as the following year (1963) was the first year of R. L. Thomas High. As you can imagine, the group shrinks a bit every year. 

So thank you to Kathy Hertzel for asking her question about R.L. Thomas and leading me down that rabbit hole.

I was actually able to answer her question from personal experience.

I began my WCSD career at Webster Thomas in Sept. 2001. Willink Middle School opened that year and Thomas became the district’s second high school. I remember sitting in the staff orientation meeting on the first day and listening to Superintendent Strining speak. Because there were now two separate but equal high schools in the district, he said, we were to recognize that both were part of the same district and start referring to them “Webster Schroeder” and “Webster Thomas.” 

That’s where it began.

* * *

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(posted 9/26/2023)

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