Members of the Staples High School basketball team today participated in the ALS research pepper challenge in honor of Patty Haberstroh, who has ALS. The Haberstroh family has a long record of supportive involvement with the Staples basketball teams. Charlie Haberstroh said the pepper challenge has so far raised $220,000, including a $100,000 anonymous gift, and next week will receive another anonymous donation of $250,000. See video HERE. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples High School Principal Jamed D’Amico today welcomes guests to the formal announcement of commitments by Staples seniors to NCAA Division I colleges. They include: Ben Seiple – Track/Cross Country -Villanova, Willow Woods – Girls Swimming – Univ of Vermont, Nicholas Ortega – Boys Swimming – Brown, Abby Najarian – Girls Lacrosse – Lafayette College, Meghan Johnson – Girls Lacrosse – Univ of Delaware, Alexa Moro – Girls Lacrosse – VIllanova, Evan Felcher – Boys Tennis – Univ of Oregon, Evan Zinn – Boys Lacrosse- Johns Hopkins Univ, Dobson Cooper – Boys Lacrosse – Univ of Vermont, Matt Garber – Boys Lacrosse – Boston University. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Among Staples senior athletes who have commited to NCAA Divsion I schools meeting the press today in the Staples cafeteria were (l-r) Meghan Johnson, University of Delaware; Abby Najarian, Lafayette College, and Alexa Moro, Villanova. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A year ago, the Staples boys soccer team mourned the death of Jon Walker.

Jon Walker (l) and Kurt Dasbach, Staples High School assistant coach and a former over-30 teammate of Walker’s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Armelle Daniels photo

The 1988 graduate — and FCIAC-championship winning goal scorer — died at age 47, of complications from ALS. The previous season, while battling the devastating disease, he became a popular presence on the Wrecker bench.

This fall, the team embarked on a fundraiser. They solicited pledges, based on the number of goals the team scored throughout the season.

The campaign raised $4,216. The funds have been contributed to two ALS research organizations. One is the ALS Therapy Development Institute. That is the recipient of the current Hot Pepper Challenge.

The Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities is set to host the 11th annual Super Bowl Tailgate Party on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m., center officials announced.

Some of the entertainment at last year’s party. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The event open to community members of all ages also will honor the Staples High School’s boys’ cross country track and the girls’ field hockey team. 

Middle and high school varsity cheerleaders are scheduled to perform, and as in past years, there will be a “guess the final score” contest, plus games and prizes.

In addition, the gathering will feature a “Service to the Senior Center” award presented to an individual “who makes an outstanding contribution through volunteer service, demonstrating commitment, attitude and dedication to the center,” the announcement said.

The Staples Varsity Cheer team today took first place (coed varsity division) at the Seymour High School Wildcat Open 2018. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport resident Ted Keith and his son Will, 7, a first grade student at Greens Farms Elementary School, enjoy a father-son athletic outing today on the second Sunday of the new open gym program by Staples High School and the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Staples gym is open to the public 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Sunday through March 25. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School Varsity Cheer team won first place today in the co-ed varsity division at the Hatterfest Cheer Competition at Danbury High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Staples High School Girls Varsity Basketball team continued its winning ways tonight, defeating New Canaan 54-27 at home. With an 8-1 record, the team is also looking forward to winning off the court by raising funds to help pay for a new gym floor and new scoreboard, according to Coach Paco Fabian. One effort involves Tutti’s Ristorante, 599 Riverside Ave., where on Jan. 16 the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the night’s proceeds to the team. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com