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When we graduate from high school, we all leave a little bit of our hearts behind. It might take some time, but eventually most of us come to look back fondly at our alma maters, the good times we had there, and the teachers and administrators who helped guide us.

That’s what the members of the Webster Thomas Class of 1993 were thinking when they celebrated their 30th reunion last summer. As part of the reunion, they decided they wanted to do something to give back to the school, and especially honor their vice principal, John Soper. So, in his memory, they held a fundraiser to raise money for the Webster Thomas Food Pantry.

Class of ’93 representative Andy LaManna explained they chose Soper for the recognition because he was “a great human being … very much appreciated by the class.”

He added,

When the class of ’93 had the reunion planning, we wanted to do something different. Knowing that no student should have to worry about being hungry during the school day (there’s enough other things to worry about in high school), we decided that we would take up a collection to raise money for the Webster Thomas Food Pantry that is right at the school.

What ended up happening was amazing. Both those that could, and those that could not make the reunion donated to the pantry. All in all we raised over $3000.

Unfortunately, Soper passed away in 2016. John’s wife Judy was very appreciative of the sentiment, writing,

John was truly dedicated to his students and the Webster schools. He took great joy in being personally involved with his classes as vice-principal and later as principal. Seeing former students succeed was his reward. Being an educator was his true calling. He would have been so honored by this dedication from the class of 1993.

Webster Thomas administrators were pretty much blown away by the generous donation. Principal Glenn Widor said, “The Class of ’93 donation made it possible for our Thomas/OWL students to know and more importantly feel that people care and want to help in numerous ways even after graduating! Having a pantry that provides essentials for those in need is of great value.”

OWL administrator/director Ari Halaris added, “I’m honored to work in a school where alumni continue to show support for our schools and programs. It’s great to have a stocked pantry right within the buildings.”

The funds were used to purchase nonperishable food for the cupboard, and provide food vouchers for students to use over breaks and vacations.

Every one of our secondary schools has a food pantry to serve those students who need extra support and don’t get enough to eat at home. Wouldn’t it be cool if other Webster class reunions did something similar to support the pantries at Schroeder, Willink, and Spry? What a great way for Webster alumni to help our current Webster students.  

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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 2/1/2024)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY, Webster Thomas

One of the spacious courtyards at Webster Thomas High School has come alive with flowers, plants, bees and birds, thanks to hard work by the Webster Thomas Earth Club, and the Thomas community.

Back in January, Maia Sutherland, a member of Earth Club, suggested creating a garden somewhere at the school. The Earth Club could sponsor, build and maintain it, and it would be a nice outdoor area for students to enjoy. Two of the school’s three large courtyards were already being frequented by students; one has an outdoor stage, the other a gazebo. So the club decided to put the gardens in the remaining courtyard, which is the smallest of the three, and rarely used.

Earth Club president Ben Verplank remembers that at the time, the club was beginning to plan a school-wide Earth Week celebration, so the garden project was put on the back burner. The week-long event, held in April, was a huge undertaking, including fund-raising events, dress-up theme days, a houseplant workshop and a thrift fair. At the end of the busy week, club advisor Melanie Drury suggested the students take a bit of a break. Maybe a week or two of not actually planning something would help the club recharge.

Verplank had other ideas. “On Monday Ben came in and said, ‘I’ve designed the whole garden,'” Drury said. About a month later, after a lot of hard work and not a little sweat and grime, the sketched-out plans became a reality.

The completed garden is actually two separate beds, together encompassing perhaps 500 or 600 square feet. They hold more than two dozen different kinds of plants — tall grasses, hardy perennials, bushes, young trees, milkweed, roses, lilacs, chrysanthemums, lamb’s ear and many more. There are two benches, both built by the district’s GeoTech class, a bee house and some birdhouses. Many of the plants and building materials were purchased with money raised at fundraising events, but many others were donated.

While the gardens were originally proposed and planned by the Earth Club, their completion has really been a Webster Thomas team effort. Earth Club members, of course, took the lead, but they were assisted by other students, some of whom pitched in as part of a post-AP exam community service project required by science AP Environmental teacher Jaret Schug.

“That really helped motivate people,” Ben said. Everyone volunteered at least three times to fulfill the terms of the project, “but by the end of it people just wanted to be outside and enjoy making the garden.”

“There were days when they were working out there in the pouring rain, and when it was super hot,” Drury added.

Staff members donated more than half of the plantings, and have volunteered to make sure the gardens are watered over the summer. Art students have painted two fanciful planters, which have been placed next to one of the benches. So basically, from the very beginning, the gardens have been, and still are, a true Webster Thomas community effort.

Students have already begun using the space, finding it a more reflective environment than the other two busier courtyards. Teachers in the classrooms surrounding the space have been very supportive, one even asking if it could be expanded next year down closer to her room.

Several Earth Club members are heading off to college next year, but they’re still thinking ahead to how the gardens can be improved and expanded.

“Next fall Mrs. Drury and Earth Club are going to plant tulip bulbs,” Verplank said, and they’d like to ask GeoTech to make a few more benches. The hope is that eventually the grassy area between the two garden beds can be used as an outdoor classroom.

In the meantime, though, Thomas students and staff members have had a quiet place to relax during these last few stressful weeks of the school year.

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

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(posted 6/16/2023)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY, Webster Thomas