Staples Principal John Dodig (l) and Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon with Board of Education members at today’s Staples graduation. “Many of you will be change agents in our society,” Dodig told the graduates. Landon’s advice: “Follow your passion, do what you love and make a difference.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Class of 2012 Staples High School graduates line up for today’s graduation ceremony.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Harvard-bound Connie Zhou was among celebrating Class of 2012 members at today’s Staples High School graduation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Members of the Staples High School Class of 2012 line up for the last time as a class before today’s graduation ceremony.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Staples A Cappella Choir, led by Choir Director Justin Miller, performs “Man in the Mirror” and “Love on Top” at tonight’s baccalaureate ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Forget any preconceived notions of an ultra formal, stuffy even, baccalaureate ceremony dripping with mawkish sentiment. Tonight’s ceremony for Westport’s Staples High School’s Class of 2012—the 451 seniors who will graduate Tuesday—rocked, or rather rapped, taking on an upbeat, often comedic air.

Carolyn Chen, class salutatorian, made her on-stage entrance via a razor scooter and sporting a backpack. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

It all happened from the minute senior Sammy Warshaw, the evening’s master of ceremonies, stepped on to the stage in the darkened school auditorium to his closing remarks following the Staples A Cappella Choir’s rendition of “Love on Top,” not to mention Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”

In between, the packed audience of parents and family members heard a rap song written and performed by Andrew Medina, self deprecating high school, college and early life yarns with photos to boot from media faculty members Mike Zito and Jim Honeycutt, and a humorous commentary about being a parent and a Staples guidance counselor from Deborah Slocum.

Even Carolyn Chen, class salutatorian who made her on-stage entrance via a razor scooter and sporting a backpack, gave what was essentially a stand-up comedy bit, playing on her diminutive height and Asian American experience at Staples.

By James Lomuscio

One might say that Karen Thomas’s love of math is in her DNA. Her mother is a certified public accountant, and her father taught math and science at the elementary and middle school levels.

Karen Thomas: “I always loved mathematics.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“As I moved through school, I always loved mathematics,” says Thomas, 37, a 9-12 grade math teacher at Westport’s Staples High School.

It was during high school in her small town north of Bangor, Maine, that Thomas decided she wanted to be a teacher, too.

“Much of this decision was based on my experience in Mrs. Stevens’ pre-calculus class,” she said. “In my mind, Mrs. Stevens was a fabulous mathematics teacher.”

President Barack Obama has named Westport Staples High School math teacher Karen Thomas one of 97 teachers nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). 

Thomas was one of two Connecticut teachers chosen on Monday, the other being science teacher Tyler Hoxley of East Hartford.

According to the PAEMST website, the awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science.

“Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education,” the site states.

By James Lomuscio

UPDATE In its final meeting of the fiscal year before it meets again in August, Westport’s Board of Education tonight voted unanimously to maintain Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon’s salary at $287,899 for 2012-13.

Melissa Kay, Bedford Middle School principal who has taken a post at a school in Italy, addresses the Board of Education tonight as it thanked departing staff members. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The board a year ago had approved the Landon salary beginning July 1, 2012 when it extended his contract to 2014. (See WestportNow June 20, 2011) Landon, 72, has been superintendent since 1999.

Members also voted unanimously to increase the salaries of 50 nonunion personnel for next year by 2.95 percent, an increase that was higher than others since the nonunion employees do not have step increases, Donald O’Day, board chairman, said.

The board also unanimously approved a three-year, in part retroactive, contract agreed to in collective bargaining for the Westport Association of Education Secretaries.