Schools

Scholarship to be Awarded in Honor of Local Man Killed Vietnam

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The Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 46th annual Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship. The Scholarship Award of $4,000 will be awarded to a deserving high school senior to perpetuate Paul’s memory. There will also be awards for the other finalists. Last year, a total of $17,000 was awarded to seven young men and women. Paul was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown and a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Waltham in 1961. He was a 1965 graduate of Boston College.  During those years he participated on many area athletic teams, most notably in the areas of basketball and baseball. He worked for the Watertown Recreation Department as a park instructor. After his college graduation, Paul taught at the West Jr. High School in Watertown and coached at Sacred Heart High School in Newton and St. Patrick’s High School in Watertown. He volunteered for the Army, graduating from OCS and Ranger training. He was sent to Vietnam in early July 1968 and was killed in combat on August 9, 1968. He left behind his wife, his family, and his friends, all of whom had been deeply touched by his life. 
This Scholarship was established in his memory by his family and friends to be awarded annually to that young person who best exemplifies the kind of person Paul was. Over the years, 47 young men and women have been recognized as recipients of the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship and 184 other young people have received recognition and financial assistance as finalists. Thousands of dollars have gone to college scholarships, sponsorship of athletic teams, and support of programs for youth. Candidates may qualify for the scholarship if they belong to the following parishes:
Sacred Heart – Newton; St.

Schools

Several Watertown High School Artists Honored in State Competition

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Several Watertown High School student artists received awards in a competition that honors the best high school artists in Massachusetts. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards announced the 2015 awards. In 2014, the program received more than 250,000 submissions. A ceremony for Massachusetts’ award winners was held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on Saturday, March 7. Watertown’s winners were:

Julia Harrington – Silver Key for drawing
Liana Aleksanyan – Silver Key for drawing and honorable mention for painting
Emily Hart – honorable mention for painting
Katie Eaton – Gold Key for design
Melanie Halibian – Silver Key for design
Emerson O’Connor – Silver Key for design
Christopher Patvakanian – honorable mention for digital art
Erika Libertini – honorable mention for digital art

See the student’s artwork on the Watertown Public School’s website by clicking here.

Schools

Speaker Will Talk About How Teens Can Reach Their Potential

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Nationally recognized speaker Ed Gerety will speak about helping Watertown High School students can help reach their potential. In his talk, titled “Bridging the Gap: Helping Our Kids Their Full Potential,” Gerety will talk about building better relationships with middle school and high school students

“An expert on the topic of student leadership, Ed brings a refreshing look at today’s youth,” according to the Watertown High School announcement. “He will share techniques and principles that will help parents and their children work together to break down barriers and strengthen communication with our teens.” The event is for both parents and their children. Together they can learn about “how respect, character, appreciation, leadership and positive attitude make a difference when it comes to raising young people.”

Schools

Watertown Schools Could Start on Sept. 8 in 2015, Day Added This Year

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The proposed Watertown school calendar has the first day of class after Labor Day, which means Sept. 8. 

The School Committee heard the first reading for the 2015-16 school calendar Monday night. Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald said school traditionally starts after Labor Day, but in an effort to shorten the school year she has added professional development days before the first day for students. “I am proposing we front load professional development days by having three from Sept. 1 to 3,” Fitzgerald said.

Charity

WMS Looking for Items for Rummage Sale to Benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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The third annual Rummage Sale for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Drive will be held this weekend, and Watertown Middle School seeks donations. The Rummage Sale takes place Saturday, March 7 in the Watertown Middle School cafeteria from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients Drive. “We will have great items for sale, as well as raffles, a silent auction, and bake sale as well.” said WMS teacher Jane Evans. Entry is free and parking is available in the front and rear of the school with entrances at both locations.

Charity

Watertown Middle School Kicks Off Pennies for Patients Drive

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Last year, Watertown Middle School students collected more than $30,000 in donations to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and they hope to beat it in this year’s Pennies for Patients drive, which begins March 2. The middle school sent out the following announcement about their drive:

This year, the Watertown Middle School will again be participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Program, Pennies for Patients — a three-week coin, cash, and check drive to raise funds to find cures for blood cancers. Our drive will run from March 2 through March 23. As you may know, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Mr. Johnson, our physical education teacher, is a lymphoma survivor.

Entertainment

See When You Can Catch the Watertown High School Musical

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Watertown High School will present The Pajama Game this month. 

The musical will hit the Shaw Auditorium Stage on March 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. each night. The book is by George Abbott and Richard Bissell with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It is based on the novel “7 1/2 Cents” by Richard Bissell. The play is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Schools

Survey of Watertown Teens Finds Rise in Alcohol Use, Depression

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The Watertown Youth Coalition’s survey of Watertown High School students found a sharp rise in alcohol use and depression among students. 

Preliminary results of the 2014 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that more than 40 percent of students drank alcohol over the previous 30 days, and more than 35 percent reported binge drinking during that time, according to the data released at the WYC’s annual meeting on Wednesday night. Alcohol use was 35.5 percent in 2012 but that number rose to 42.8 percent in 2014, according to the survey of 533 students in the spring of 2014. Binge drinking went from 21.5 percent in 2012 to 35.5 percent in 2014. Attendees were asked to come up with ideas for why this was happening, ways to prevent it and other information that might be useful to study the issues. Watertown High School students who work as peer leaders with WYC reported it is easy to get alcohol from friends or older siblings.