WESTFIELD – The City Council chambers was packed with students at the start of Monday’s School Committee meeting, as three teams from the two high schools were honored.
The WHS Girls Gymnastics team received an Above and Beyond certificate from Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski presented the Above and Beyond certificate to the Westfield High School gymnasts, who have won ten straight MIAA Western Mass championships, and remain undefeated on the season and in 170 straight contests. He said this year was a squeaker as the team won the regional championship by five hundredths of a point. “You are amazing and well deserving. You make Westfield proud,” Czaporowski said to the team.
Athletic director Eileen Flaherty then introduced MIAA assistant director Rich Riley, who drove down from Franklin to recognize two of the boys’ teams. Riley said he wanted to recognize the teams for demonstrating the pillars of community service and for serving as role models for their fellow student athletes.
The Technical Academy’s basketball team was honored for participating in Box Out Cancer. MIAA assistant director Rich Riley, far right, presented the certificates at the School Committee meeting on Monday.
First up, the Westfield Technical Academy’s basketball team was recognized for its participation in Box Out Cancer activities. Coach Kyle Dulude said the team was active in the cause. “These kids understand the bigger picture, about bringing out the best in any situation,” he said, citing several faculty members that have been affected by the disease. The team then gave out Box Out Cancer t-shirts to the School Committee.
The WHS hockey team was honored for its community service outreach to the Holyoke Soldiers Home.
The Westfield High School ice hockey team was also recognized for its community service outreach to the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Senior Sullivan Webster talked about the team’s visit to the home. He said they were struck by how solemn everyone was when they arrived, and then learned they had just lost a member of the community.
“We participated in the ceremony of someone who passed away,” Webster said. The students then spent some time singing karaoke and visiting with the residents. “It was a positive experience for all who were involved,” Webster said.
Riley said that he follows Twitter through the MIAA Twitter feed, and when he sees a team doing an exemplary act of community service, or showing leadership or sportsmanship, he takes the time to recognize them.
New Westfield High School Vice Principal Kevin Zdroykowski with Principal Charles Jendrysik on Monday.
Also introduced on Monday night was the new assistant vice principal of Westfield High School, Kevin Zdroykowski. A graduate of Westfield State University, Zdroykowski, or Mr. Z as the students call him, said he’s happy to return to Westfield. He said he brings 15 years of experience as a history teacher and department head at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
“The staff and students have been awesome. I’m impressed with the amount the students are involved in their school and community,” Zdroykowski said.
