The recent feature in “Westport Magazine” regarding focus-worthy teens in lower Fairfield County has provoked reactions from all sides.

Students from seven different high schools were featured for their accomplishments in sports, finance, science, student leadership, and charity. The students are from Staples, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe, Wilton High, Weston High, Greens Farms Academy, and Fairfield Prep.

Two students from Staples, Matt and Josh Greenberg, were featured in the article for their accomplishments in science. Josh Greenberg ’11 researched oncology and stem cells, in addition to the creation of new genes. Matt Greenberg ’10 was doing research in a lab when the lab discovered the hormone leptin, a hormone that regulates metabolism.

“The magazine liked the fact that Josh and I are brothers. It’s sort of unique that we both like science so much,” said Matt Greenberg. He added that the brothers have always been compared to each other because of their closeness in age.

Another featured student, Christiana Whitcomb, GFA class of 2010, said that she was chosen because of her work at the Island School in Cape Eleuthra, in the Bahamas. “I think the reason why they chose me is to bring diversity to their article – going to school in the Bahamas is pretty different and they wanted to represent a lot of different interests,” Whitcomb said.

Moffly Media, which owns “Westport Magazine” as well as others previously published a similar article in “Greenwich Magazine” (Sept. 2008). The magazine published another article in the same vein this year as well.

The magazine makes it clear whom they target with their coverage of “society [and] high end events.”

The website’s “About Us” section states that the company offers “[l]uxury magazines that target the affluent residents of the towns they serve.”

With its coverage of the incredibly talented people whom the magazine features, it makes clear the high expectations to become successful.

From students, the sentiment is that the accomplishment is great for the kids, but it adds much more pressure to already high expectations. “It’s cool for kids but it’s a lot more pressure. It’s more disappointing if they fail,” said Chloe Ellison ‘11.

Whitcomb, however, doesn’t feel that pressure. “The only pressure is to keep doing what I’m doing, which I would have done anyway.”

Some people felt that most teens do something to make them feature-worthy, or at least have that potential. “Isn’t every kid to be watched?” said Emma Kahn ‘11.

Even Matt Greenberg admitted that while he was honored, “There are so many talented kids at Staples that could have been selected instead of me.”

None of the students in the Westport article were mentioned for their contributions to the arts to music, or for writing accomplishments.