The week in photos – June 20, 2024

Valedictorian, Iris Chen addresses the 2024 WHHS Graduating Class.

Salutatorian, Mahnoor Mustafa addresses the 2024 WHHS Graduating Class.

Nala Diarrassouba sings the National Anthem at the WHHS Graduation ceremony.

West Haven High School Principal Dana Paredes addresses the Class of 2024.

The members of the WHHS Class of 2024 Top Twenty stand for the National Anthem.

Members of the WHHS Class of 2024 that are entering the military, lead the Pledge of Allegiance

The Class of 2024 procession into Ken Strong Stadium.

The West Haven High School Class of 2024 celebrate after the commencement ceremonies.

The Heavenly Stars were among the many performers at the City’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Brent Watt Park in Allingtown on June 8. Hundreds from near and far attended the event to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Speakers for the day included City Councilman Mackie McMillian (D-5), who delivered the invocation, Mayor Dorinda A. Borer and State Rep. Trenee’ McGee (D-116).

The Heavenly Stars were among the many performers at the City’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Brent Watt Park in Allingtown on June 8. Hundreds from near and far attended the event to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Speakers for the day included City Councilman Mackie McMillian (D-5), who delivered the invocation, Mayor Dorinda A. Borer and State Rep. Trenee’ McGee (D-116).

Mayor Dorinda Borer, right, talks local government with members of Bailey Middle School’s Student Council and Interact Club at City Hall on May 24. The seventh and eighth graders were accompanied by council advisers Dina Jones, Tara Oliwa and Jess D’Amato and club adviser Molly Deptulski, all of whom are teachers at Bailey. The students learned how they can impact their community and make it a better place, said Jones, who also advises the Interact Club. Borer talked about her love of West Haven, the job of mayor and the many facets of city government. After a Q&A session with Borer, the spirited group of students rolled up their sleeves and cleaned up the nearby Green.

West Haven Economic Development Director Stephen Fontana speaks at the city’s first Small Business Forum at West Haven High School on Tuesday, June 11.

More than 100 West Haven businesspeople attend the city’s first Small Business Forum at West Haven High School on Tuesday, June 11.

The West Haven Library kicked off its Capital Campaign on Friday night, May 17 with a $100,000 donation from the Heffernan Family for the Allingtown Library project. In attendance were members of the Friends of the Library, Village Improvement Association board members, and staff . Pictured from left to right are Library Director Colleen Bailie, Board president Bill Heffernan along with family members Katie Farrell, Betsy Davis, and Nancy Skerritt .

The Friends of the Library also were presented their proceeds of $2,000 from the Rotary Auction last month by President Elect Alan Olenick to Friends president Michael Invernale. Pictured left to right is Library Director Colleen Bailie, Friends president Michael Invernale, and Rotary president-elect Alan Olenick. All proceeds from the Rotary paddle raise will go towards the summer reading programming for the summer at the library.

The West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard leads the procession of city and state dignitaries while carrying the American flag to the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole for the ceremonial raising. The honor guard is composed of members of the West Haven Fire Department, the West Shore Fire Department and the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

City resident Ryan Walsh, 14, finds bricks dedicated to his grandfathers, Marine Corps Cpl. John M. Walsh, who served in 1955-58, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Paul C. Varsanik, who served in 1961-65.

People line the Walk of Honor to search for bricks they purchased in honor of loved ones, both living and deceased.

Mayor Dorinda Borer delivers remarks dedicating the Walk of Honor’s 47 new bricks as her chief of staff, Rick Spreyer, the master of ceremonies, looks on.

West Haven’s own Grace Kelly Nowak sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” as master of ceremonies Rick Spreyer puts his right hand over his heart and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters salute. Nowak also sang “God Bless America.”

Members of the West Haven High School Construction “Team” representing members of city boards, commissions and offices and private sector builders and contractors show off their trophy, given by the Connecticut Builders Congress at its recent awards banquet at AquaTurf in Southington. The team won the second-place trophy, being nudged out by Cranbury School Project in Norwalk. The “Team Awards” honor the work done between those of the public and private sectors in making projects successful.

The Malley Murder case was one of the most sensational cases ever in the New Haven area, and put the resort borough of West Haven in the state and national headlines. The Malley name was well known in the business and social community as the Edward Malley Co. was one of the largest dry goods merchants in the Elm City

From left, Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Committee Treasurer Sal Decola, committee member Mike Luzzi, Mayor Dorinda Borer, and newly sashed honorees Celia Pinzi and Mark Consorte are all smiles at the committee’s Kickoff Dinner at Cielo Banquet Hall on May 15. The fundraising dinner recognized Consorte, a longtime social studies teacher and department head at West Haven High School, as the grand marshal of the 2024 Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Festival and Pinzi, the owner of West Haven Funeral Home, as the recipient of the committee’s Laura Luzzi Award for outstanding public service. West Haven is the host community for the festival, which is scheduled from noon-4 p.m. Oct. 12 on the Green. The cultural event will include live music and family-friendly activities to celebrate the region’s deep-rooted Italian heritage. In addition to West Haven, the host community rotates annually among New Haven, North Haven, Branford, East Haven and Hamden, the host of last year’s festival.

The West Haven Police Retired Officers Association recently presented 2-$500 scholarships to high school seniors going into Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. in 2024. Pictured from left, Retired officer Al Lindblom with niece Ayva Caruso, who's attending Sacred Heart in the fall. Center is Treasurer Bill Conlan. Also pictured is Olivia Trenchard attending UNH, with her grandfather Retired Officer Ron Zuk. Vice President John Jarvie looks on. The presentations were made at West Haven Police Department. The Retired Officers Association supports the community and all law enforcement, in efforts to recruit and encourage a career in law enforcement.

St. Lawrence School’s monthly student recognition breakfast took place Monday, May 20, with staff and family members on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of their children. First row: (Gr.3) Calyse Edwards, (Gr.3) Mikhail Njie, (Gr.2) Akeiza White, (Gr.1) Gianna Rayas, and (Gr.2) Vivian Andrade and (Gr.4) Jake Nicolelli. Second row: (Gr.6) Isabella Delaney, (Gr.7) Lacy Miraldi (Gr.2) Audrey Carter, Principal Frank Arnone, (Gr.5) Ashlyn Johnson, (Gr.4) Mia Rayas, (Gr.5) Axel Teng, not pictured (Gr.2) Duy Tran and (Gr.8) Malcolm Thompson.

The West Haven Historical Society celebrated its annual Open House at the Poli Mansion, 686 Savin Ave., last weekend with history buffs from all over the area visiting. This year’s focus was on local businesses and industries with exhibits and artifacts.

The West Haven Historical Society celebrated its annual Open House at the Poli Mansion, 686 Savin Ave., last weekend with history buffs from all over the area visiting. This year’s focus was on local businesses and industries with exhibits and artifacts.

The West Haven Historical Society celebrated its annual Open House at the Poli Mansion, 686 Savin Ave., last weekend with history buffs from all over the area visiting. This year’s focus was on local businesses and industries with exhibits and artifacts.

The West Haven Historical Society celebrated its annual Open House at the Poli Mansion, 686 Savin Ave., last weekend with history buffs from all over the area visiting. This year’s focus was on local businesses and industries with exhibits and artifacts.

The West Haven Historical Society celebrated its annual Open House at the Poli Mansion, 686 Savin Ave., last weekend with history buffs from all over the area visiting. This year’s focus was on local businesses and industries with exhibits and artifacts.

West Haven Business Alliance owner Michelle Caprio, left, joined by member David Tammaro, second from left, donates a beach wheelchair on behalf of the alliance to the Department of Parks and Recreation on May 29. With Caprio and Tammaro are, from left, Park-Rec Director Mark E. Paine Jr. and Pool and Waterfront Coordinator Margaret Ruggiero and West Shore Deputy Fire Chief Raphael Zayas.

From left, Zuppardi’s Apizza employees Meagan O’Brien, Tia Bonessi and Lauren Vincent are all smiles showing a commemorative mozzarella “abeetz” with pepperoni slices forming a “90” in honor of the pizzeria’s anniversary.

Mayor Dorinda Borer reads a proclamation to Zuppardi’s Apizza co-owners Lori Zuppardi, left, and Cheryl Zuppardi Pearce marking the pizzeria’s 90th anniversary celebration at 179 Union Ave. on Monday. Looking on is the event’s master of ceremonies, New Haven-style pizza historian Colin Caplan, the principal of the food tour company Taste of New Haven.