The week in photos – January 20, 2021

West Haven schools began an after-school program for second through fourth graders at the six elementary schools in the system. The program involves reading a topic and then doing a research project on what was studied. Dioramas could be completed or some masks as shown by the two examples here.

West Haven schools began an after-school program for second through fourth graders at the six elementary schools in the system. The program involves reading a topic and then doing a research project on what was studied. Dioramas could be completed or some masks as shown by the two examples here.

West Haven schools began an after-school program for second through fourth graders at the six elementary schools in the system. The program involves reading a topic and then doing a research project on what was studied. Dioramas could be completed or some masks as shown by the two examples here.

The sale and demolition of the Conference Center as well as rebuild of Washington School and development of the Enterprise Zone along front Avenue are top priorities in 2022.

The sale and demolition of the Conference Center as well as rebuild of Washington School and development of the Enterprise Zone along front Avenue are top priorities in 2022.

The sale and demolition of the Conference Center as well as rebuild of Washington School and development of the Enterprise Zone along front Avenue are top priorities in 2022.

From left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Sammy Rivera, the owner of Budget Transmission Center and Budget Car Wash on Route 1, and Jhonnathan Rivera, a board member of the Puerto Rican Festival of New Haven, portray the Magi — the wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus at Epiphany — at West River Hall in Allingtown on Jan. 6. Rossi and both Riveras, no relation, helped distribute free toys to 150 children at West Haven’s celebration of Three Kings Day, a tradition in Spanish-speaking countries and part of the city’s outreach efforts to the Hispanic American community. The holiday marks the arrival of the three kings — Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar — in Bethlehem.

From left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Sammy Rivera, the owner of Budget Transmission Center and Budget Car Wash on Route 1, and Jhonnathan Rivera, a board member of the Puerto Rican Festival of New Haven, portray the Magi — the wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus at Epiphany — at West River Hall in Allingtown on Jan. 6. Rossi and both Riveras, no relation, helped distribute free toys to 150 children at West Haven’s celebration of Three Kings Day, a tradition in Spanish-speaking countries and part of the city’s outreach efforts to the Hispanic American community. The holiday marks the arrival of the three kings — Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar — in Bethlehem.

Deacon Melina Dezhbod will be ordained to the Episcopal priesthood by The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 pm at Church of the Holy Spirit, 28 Church Street. Due to the state's spike in Covid cases, the liturgy is by invitation only and limited to just fifty attendees. It will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Dezhbod is currently serving the parish as a deacon and missional curate. Her focus has been overseeing the parish's outreach programs and reaching out to the underprivileged and teaching confirmation classes to the parish youth and converting adults. She also preaches once a month. Born in Tehran, Iran, Dezhbod, 24 escaped with her family from the Islamic state due to religious persecution. They were refugees when they came to Connecticut in 2000. Dezhobod's father, the Rev. Esmail Dezhbod, is also an Episcopalian priest in Connecticut. Dezhbob is the second refugee priest to be ordained at Holy Spirit in recent years. In 2017, the Rev. Charles Kamano, who was raised Muslim, was received as a priest after fleeing west Africa due to his conversion.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, third from left, dedicates West Haven’s first Purple Pantry Box at the First Congregational Church on Jan. 4 with, from left, volunteer Michelle Caprio, church community outreach Chairman Phil Liscio, the Rev. E. Carl Howard, the senior minister who oversees the church’s outreach projects, and pantry coordinator Nicole Randolph. The pantry provides nonperishable food items for residents in need at the Campbell Avenue entrance to the church

Learning the dangers of online use was a major lesson taught to students in city schools. Partnering with the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and Vancord, a Connecticut-based tech service, the lessons were taught to more than 2,000. Comic strip character Garfield is the vehicle for the lessons.

The characters of the Garfield comic strip are playing a role in teaching cyber lessons.

The launching of the Lucinda Sutton in 1891 was a big event in the borough of West Haven. Shipbuilding was a major industry for decades.

The Lone Sailor is one of only a few situated around the nation. It symbolizes a locale’s history with the sea. West Haven’s is found in the Old Grove Park

The West Haven Squirt AA team traveled to Shelton for the CanAm Youth Challenge Cup, and signal their success, winning the championship in a four-game sweep. The team topped the Westchester Express AA, 4-1 for the title.

Ashley Welch scores while Melissa Tsokonas battles in front against Masuk. The Westie Sharks were able to pull this tight game out with a 2-1 over the Panthers. The team has had an up-and down first part of the season, but has won three of four recently.

Javed Ullah makes one of his 18 saves to preserve the 4-0 shutout, picking up his first varsity victory over East Haven. The win was the Westies’ first of the season as well after six losses. Ullah has played well all year, highlighted by a 50-save performance in a loss to Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe.

Kassidy Carrano dishes off in the Blue Devils win over East Haven to improve to 6-0. The team came up with two victories following a two-week layoff.