Staples High School held its Baccalaureate ceremony tonight on the eve of the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2018. Avery Mendillo, who said she is the first female Baccalaureate emcee, will attend Texas Christian University (TCU). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was a full house tonight for the Staples High School Baccalaureate ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Salutatorian Nick Attkiss, who will attend Harvard University, told his classmates at the Staples Baccalaureat ceremony tonight: “I learned the value of appreciating the random aspects of life, learning to deviate from an adherence to orderly structure.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) awarded its annual college scholarships to 13 Staples High School seniors tonight in a ceremony at Westport Police Headquarters. Pictured (front row, l-r) Meghan Johnson (Deleware), Alexa Moro (Villanova), Sarah Maybruck (Sacred Heart), Whitney O’Reardon (Wheaton College), Brooke Schwab (Boston College), Maureen Schwab (PAL Scholarship Committee; (second row) Dominic Arciola (Univ of Alabama), Dylan Marone (Norwich Univ), Ben Pearl (Michigan),; (back row) Howie Friedman, chairman, PAL Scholarship Committee, Ben Vanderbilt Merwe (Univ. of Maryland ), Jonathon Maisonet (Univ. of New Haven), Christopher Martenson (Worcester Polytech), Michael Simons (Middlebury College). Not pictured: Christine Taylor (Trinity). Contributed photo

Former Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon has been hired as interim superintendent in Darien for one year, beginning July 1.

Elliott Landon: takes over in Darien July 1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Darien Board of Education approved the hiring to replace Dan Brenner, who submitted his resignation to the board on May 30 in order to become director of the United Nations International School in New York City.

Landon, 78, retired as Westport Schools superintendent in July 2016 and was succeeded by Colleen Palmer, superintendent in Weston.

In Darien, Landon will be reunited with Marge Cion, former human resources director for the Westport schools who holds a similar position in Darien.

Scenes from today’s Staples Tuition Grants Commiitte ceremony at the Staples Library. More than $300,000 in grants and scholarships. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Staples Tuition Grants Committee today awarded 113 Staples High School graduating seniors and current college students $304,000 in college grants. Among the recipients was Dashiell Hunter, recipient of the Cameron Bruce Grant. Like the late Bruce, Hunter is a member of the Staples swim team and will enter Connecticut College where he will be on the swim team. The 75th annual ceremony was held at the Staples library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com