Front Row Seat for Staples Players Gala

2 thoughts on “Front Row Seat for Staples Players Gala”

1. What a great evening! The dramatic, musical and dance talents of these dozens of young men and women—and the alumni (many of them siblings) who came back to lend a hand—is astonishing. It was a magical evening, and I thank all who helped make it happen.

   Meanwhile, earlier Saturday morning, several dozen Staples students participated in the annual science fair. This is not your old electricity-diorama deal; their projects were unbelievably sophisticated, and their presentation skills superb. The only reason I didn’t understand what they were demonstrating is that their knowledge of nanotechnology, DNA, bridge engineering and many other subjects is laughably beyond mine.

   Also yesterday, over 100 male and female indoor track athletes competed in the FCIAC championship, in the fieldhouse. The boys won their 12th title; the girls came close. Next door, in the gym, the wrestlers won all four of their matches, with many strong individual performances.

   It’s easy to focus on the negatives. Yesterday’s accomplishments were just a microcosm of all the wonderful things Westport’s young people accomplish every day, often with little fanfare or acknowledgment. Congratulations to all of them; to science advisor AJ Scheetz, track coach Laddie Lawrence, Staples Players director Dave Roth, and all the educators, parents and townspeople who have had a hand in helping develop such fine young people.

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2. I join you in saluting the many remarkable teens in Westport who, week in and week out, demonstrate their talent, dedication, and commitment to so many wonderful events such as these.
   It saddens me, however, to have many of these same fine kids portrayed by some as irresponsible, drinking fools who can’t wait for the weekend—such as the ridiculous yet laughable remark about “thirsty Thursdays” one adult at last week’s RTM underage drinking ordinance meeting used to describe what he “heard” was Westport teens’ early start to the weekend. The teens I know are too busy studying, working part-time, or rehearsing for galas such as this to even contemplate drinking anything but Poland Spring on “thirsty Thurday.” It is sad that our local government is pushing for a flawed ordinance that will not only punish our teens but insert the heavy hand of government into our homes. Staples Players, athletes, and budding scientists—and their parents—deserve far more respect than this.

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