The week in photos – May 11, 2023

Volunteers from United Illuminating took part in the Earth Day cleanup of the Sandy Point area, sponsored by the Sandy Point Neighborhood Association. Shown are a group of the volunteers, and David Killeen of the Sandy Point Neighborhood Association working with the volunteers.

Poems written by Jace Rodriguez, “My Happy Place” (3rd grade, Savin Rock School), Dana Guadarruma, “Northern Lights” (4th grade, Savin Rock School), and Bruna Reppetto Tobias, “Renewed by the Moonlight” (8th grade, Bailey Middle School) were chosen from more than 400 entries for the top prize in the Land Trust of West Haven’s poetry contest. The students read their poems at an award ceremony that took place on Friday, April 28, at the Land Trust’s Poetry Post on the Savin Rock Boardwalk. April is National Poetry Month and Earth Day was on April 22. To celebrate both events, the Land Trust sponsored the nature-themed poetry contest. A three-judge panel determined the winning poems: Tony Fusco, who was named Poet Laureate for the City of West Haven in April of 2019 and Co-President of the Connecticut Poetry Society; Renny Loisel, President of the West Haven Land Trust; and Colette Bennett Language Arts Coordinator for the school system. Each winner received a $50 gift card and a native plant, which represents the Land Trust’s Native Plant Initiative, and ties in nicely to the contest’s theme of nature and Earth Day.

The 116-year-old Church of the Holy Spirit building was originally consecrated as Christ Church when it was completed by the famous firm of Cram & Goodhue, which pioneered the Gothic Revival Movement in this country. The building is considered one of the firms finest representations of a small parish church. The parish name changed when St. John By the Sea merged with Christ Church. The 300th anniversary of the parish makes it the second-oldest in the state.

Meteorologist Ashley Baylor from WHTNH-Channel 8 News visited Kate Harrington's and Kerry Kennedy's preschool class at the West Haven Child Development Center, Inc. She read her book, Storms and Snow Skis and Socks, New England's Weather Truly Rocks to the class.

The new Bailey cafeteria gives students more room at lunch.

The new Bailey cafeteria gives students more room at lunch.

The new Bailey cafeteria gives students more room at lunch.

West Haven High School announced its Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the WHHS Class of 2023. Valedictorian, Vittoria Favia, and the WHHS Class of 2023 Salutatorian, Yaju Pradhan. Favia plans to attend Rutgers University following graduation, while Pradhan is between Wesleyan University or Villanova University. Shown are: Olivia Quagliani (School Counselor), Vittoria Favia, Dana Paredes (WHHS Principal), Yaju Pradhan, Norma Merced (School Counselor).

Jerry Nero chosen Mason of Year

On Friday, students and staff at Forest Elementary School were treated to a special performance by speed-artist Rob Surette. Surette’s incredible performance featured theatrical lights accompanied by a large video screen with amplified music, while he used body-encompassing, paint-splattering painting techniques to create 6-foot portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition to his amazing artwork, Surette spent his performance delivering a powerful message to our students that they can do anything they put their mind to, and that they can help change the world. Surette has performed on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show! He’s been hired by Disney,, Star Wars,, DreamWorks, Muppets, and DC Comics.

On Friday, students and staff at Forest Elementary School were treated to a special performance by speed-artist Rob Surette. Surette’s incredible performance featured theatrical lights accompanied by a large video screen with amplified music, while he used body-encompassing, paint-splattering painting techniques to create 6-foot portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition to his amazing artwork, Surette spent his performance delivering a powerful message to our students that they can do anything they put their mind to, and that they can help change the world. Surette has performed on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show! He’s been hired by Disney,, Star Wars,, DreamWorks, Muppets, and DC Comics.

On Friday, students and staff at Forest Elementary School were treated to a special performance by speed-artist Rob Surette. Surette’s incredible performance featured theatrical lights accompanied by a large video screen with amplified music, while he used body-encompassing, paint-splattering painting techniques to create 6-foot portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition to his amazing artwork, Surette spent his performance delivering a powerful message to our students that they can do anything they put their mind to, and that they can help change the world. Surette has performed on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show! He’s been hired by Disney,, Star Wars,, DreamWorks, Muppets, and DC Comics.

The “Reading Buddies” groups are back in action at Forest School. Pictured here is Jackie Withington’s 4th-grade class with Tricia Carey’s kindergarten class. The older and younger classes are paired up to have the “buddies” take turns reading, which gives the older students a chance to practice their fluency skills as they support the early readers with decoding and comprehension.

During the past two weeks, elementary school students participated in activities to celebrate Earth Day. Those activities included participation in an interactive story, creating Earth Day flip books, and creating Earth Day headbands.

During the past two weeks, elementary school students participated in activities to celebrate Earth Day. Those activities included participation in an interactive story, creating Earth Day flip books, and creating Earth Day headbands.

Three city playgrounds were the sites of new playscapes, using state grants, secured by Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-1150. The locations are Edity Macrille and Seth G. Haley Schools, as well as Glade Street Park. The Haley site is accentuated by a memorial bench, dedicated to the late Deb Hutchinson, a crossing guard at the school.

Three city playgrounds were the sites of new playscapes, using state grants, secured by Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-1150. The locations are Edity Macrille and Seth G. Haley Schools, as well as Glade Street Park. The Haley site is accentuated by a memorial bench, dedicated to the late Deb Hutchinson, a crossing guard at the school.

Three city playgrounds were the sites of new playscapes, using state grants, secured by Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-1150. The locations are Edity Macrille and Seth G. Haley Schools, as well as Glade Street Park. The Haley site is accentuated by a memorial bench, dedicated to the late Deb Hutchinson, a crossing guard at the school.

Children at the West Haven Child Development Center enjoy playing steel pan instruments set up on tables in their outdoor play area

Children at the West Haven Child Development Center enjoy playing steel pan instruments set up on tables in their outdoor play area

Sandy Point Association volunteers, along with a contingent from the United Illuminating Co., worked to clean up Sandy Point on April 22.

West Haven's Connor Coe received the Casey-O'Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award at the 63rd Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner. He is shown above with his family.

Notre Dame's Matthew Piechota with his family and coach Joe DeCaprio (R).

Thirteen WHHS student-athletes were in attendance for ‘Signing Day’ in front of their family, friends, teammates, coaches, and staff

Jose Padilla fires on to first for the out against Amity. The Westies were defeated, 4-0, in this one as Amity pitcher Brock Goodwin tossed a no-hitter, his second of the season.

Melanie Jimenez makes a diving catch in center in the Westies’ 14-2 victory over Mercy.

Brooke Moscato scoops the ball for the Westies in a recent loss the to the Shelton Gaels.

Zach Forbes fires the ball past the Branford goalie for the Blue Devils. The Hornets topped the Blue Devils, 13-9, and were looking for their first victory of the season.

Gianna Carrano slides safely into home during the Blue Devils’ 14-2 win over Mercy.