On the beloved Senior Day, the Lady Wreckers emerged victorious in thrilling fashion, conquering the Westhill Vikings at home 42-40.

Down 4 points in the first quarter, Nikki Bukovsky ’13 scored 7 straight points and led the girls on an 11-1 run to take a 6-point lead at halftime. Following a prolific third quarter for the Westhill offense, the Wreckers stepped up defensively and made crucial blocked shots in the final 2 minutes. Spearheaded by Jess Coelho ‘12 and Remy Nolan ’12, the defense had 5 steals, 17 defensive rebounds and 3 blocked shots in the fourth quarter.

“Defense has been our trademark for years,” said head coach Ed Huydic. “It won us the game today.”

A scary moment occurred halfway through the second quarter when Sydney Houseworth fell down on defense underneath the basket. Unable to get up for 5 minutes, Houseworth limped off the court and never returned, ultimately sidelined with a knee injury. Sophie Debruijn ’14 replaced Houseworth and made some key defensive stops.

“It was tough for us to lose Sydney on Senior Night,” said Bukovsky, who finished with a game-high 17 points. “But we stepped it up and we made big plays when we needed to.”

Huydic cited Coelho as a team leader on Senior Night, hustling on defense and fighting underneath the basket and inside the paint.

“Jess boxes out and rebounds tremendously well and has been doing so all year,” Huydic praised. “That’s why we love her.”

When asked if Jessica was nervous going into the fourth quarter against Westhill’s sharpshooting three-point players, Coelho said the key was just keeping concentration, even when Houseworth went down.

“We really stepped it up tonight on defense,” said Coelho. “We knew they would beat us if we lost focus.”

As for the wild finish, Huydic was just glad the team didn’t crumble on defense.

“We weren’t getting it done offensively, so defense had to win us the game,” said Huydic. “These girls have what it takes, and luckily we were able to show it tonight. We won for Syd.”

For three Staples field hockey players the day finally came.

At a press conference held on Feb. 1, otherwise known as National Signing Day, seniors Callie Hiner, Emily Ashken, and Misha Strage all signed letters of intent to play field hockey at their respective schools: Georgetown University, The University of Michigan, and Colby University.

“This is the first time solely field hockey is represented on National Signing Day at Staples…It speaks volumes about how far our girls programs have come.” States Staples athletic director Marty Lisevick.

In addition to the speech given by Lisevick, the intimate ceremony held in the Staples cafeteria also consisted of speeches from varsity field hockey coach Cecily Anderson, Principle John Dodig, and the three players.

“You guys have created an image here that field hockey is just hardcore.” States varsity field hockey coach Cecily Anderson, “you’re warrior princesses….this moment here is dedicated to being a fearless female.”

After listening to their earned praises the three athletes stepped up the podium and gave their take on playing at the collegiate level next year.

“It’ll be a humbling experience” states future Georgetown player Callie Hiner, “I’m looking forward to playing with and learning from players who are better than me” fellow field hockey player Emily Ashken agreed with Hiner saying “I’m very excited”

After the speeches were said and done, the athletes signed their letters formally pledging their intent to play field hockey at their respective universities next year.

Each player couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces as they were officially

congratulated by friends and family whom seemed to be just as excited as the players were about the event.

Principal John Dodig expressed his admiration of athletes at Staples stating, “At other schools athletes can be rude and obnoxious…here athletes are role models, Staples High School is what it is because of kids like you”

Even though the athlete’s next step is now planned out even Ashken admits “I don’t think I have any idea what’s in store for me”

The WWPT broadcasters.

They talk you through the basketball, football and soccer games taking place at home in the afternoons and evenings, but have you ever wondered what it takes to get the radio shows up and running?

Well, for your typical WWPT basketball game coverage, which is simulcast with the Staples Television Network, STN, the preparations start a good 2 hours beforehand.

For especially important games, however, such as the Homecoming football game, set up can take 3 hours. Sometimes, it even has to begin the night beforehand.

The preparation begins with bringing everything needed into the gymnasium, including cameras, microphones, and a switcher.

Despite the complicated set up for WWPT and STN, finding chairs for the broadcasters to sit in is, oddly enough, the most difficult part of preparing for the show, according to supervisor Mike Zito.

Another necessary part of the WWPT game coverage is the all-important “piano bench”.

This large, navy blue podium houses all of the equipment, and according to Jake Chernok ’13, shields the broadcasters from the action on the court.

“It provides protection so we don’t get hit in the face,” Chernok said.

About ten minutes prior to the game, the commentators put on their headsets to start the pre-game show.

These commentators are given the opportunity to claim games or time slots during WWPT meetings. These meetings take place in the media lab, where the eighty or so members of WWPT wait to be called and be able to negotiate time on the air. Priority is determined based upon the amount of work a given individual puts into running the radio station.

The commentators discuss everything from previous competition to specific players as game time nears. When play begins, they keep up a continuous stream of talk, announcing the game blow by blow, their voices sounding on WWPT as well as behind STN’s live footage of the gameplay.

At halftime, as well as at the end of the game, the broadcasters break down the event and analyze players. Also, guests including the coach and key players join them.

Fifteen minutes after the end of the game, they sign off, giving credit to all of the crew present who make WWPT happen. They take an hour to disassemble their equipment, and their work is done.

While broadcasting an hour-long game takes about 4 hours, the broadcasters don’t let it get in the way of school.

“You find a way to get work done,” Chernok said.

Zito praises the responsibility of his broadcasters, who, according to him, get the job done better than he could hope for.

“Its evolved to the point where I don’t need to do much,” Zito said. “The kids do a great job.”

This program is designed to teach students all the ins and outs of farming and gardening by allowing the students to actually plan, plant, grow and harvest the Wakeman Town Farm gardens.  The students involved in the program will be helping care for chickens, rabbits and bees in addition to participating in several simple building and construction projects.

Science teacher, Mike Aitkenhead is the leader of this program and is eager for it to begin.  “I think there is a real interest and commitment among students of the middle school age to commit to a program of this kind and to really benefit from the lessons they will learn,” Aitkenhead said.  In addition to giving students the ability to grow their own food and get their hands a little dirty in the process, Aitkenhead sees this program as excellent preparation for high school in which some students may decide to take the advanced placement environmental studies course.

Briana Beller, a sixth-grader at Bedford Middle School is currently enrolled in the Wakeman Town Farm Program and is waiting with anticipation for the Feb. 2 starting date.  Beller’s mother, Elizabeth, is the Wakeman Town Farm board-chair member and is also very eager for her daughter to begin her new after-school activity.  “I am very excited for the program to begin,” Beller said.  “My mom and I write a blog together about sustainable farming called Simply Chicks.”  Beller feels that this program combined with her blog will give her a good introduction for more difficult high school courses.

Although this particular program excludes high school students, this doesn’t mean that they cannot help with the upkeep of the Wakeman Town Farm.  While there are opportunities for high schoolers to help plant and manage the gardens, there will also likely be positions available for students to help lead programs and other various activities on the farm.

Gabriella Rizack ’13, a student in Aitkenhead’s advanced placement environmental class is just one person considering taking a part in helping the Wakeman Town Farm.  “I definitely think that involving myself with the gardens would be supplemental to what I am learning in the classroom,” Rizack said.  “It would be cool to, for example, learn about sustainable food production in the classroom and then be able to actually sustainably farm outside of the classroom.”

Aitkenhead encourages high schoolers to become involved in the Wakeman Town Farm and contact him with any interests.

This particular program for middle schoolers costs 175 dollars per participant and has a limit of 20 participants.  Anyone interested in signing up for the program can do so on the Westport Parks and Recreation website.

As time goes on, the Wakeman Town Farm will continue to have more programs to offer.  So, Aitkenhead urges people to stay tuned to www.wakemantownfarm.org for these opportunities.

“Overall, I want students to get a chance to work outside, reconnect with nature, and have fun at the same time.  We are overwhelmed by technology these days,” Aitkenhead said.  “While are technology is often great, it doesn’t hurt to unplug every once in a while.”

The unique plot of the adaptation draws a crowd to Long Wharf Theatre, however for Staples students there is another feature that makes the play relatable: talkbacks made by English teacher Dan Geraghty. Geraghty, a “Macbeth” expert and a veteran, was put in contact with Ting in order to be a mentor and to provide tangible experiences that would authenticate the war veteran experience. Additionally, Geraghty will have conversations with the audience after some shows.

Showcased at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, “Macbeth 1969” premiered Jan. 18 and will continue until Feb 12. Ting’s adaptation gives the classic play read in freshman English a whole new makeover with Macbeth and fellow soldiers returning from war and dealing with the aftermath of the events that they had experienced and the injuries that have received from enemies in the war.

The pre-production process consisted of meeting with veterans, doctors, as well as Geraghty. “Ting humanizes Macbeth and brings light to the Post Tramatic Stress Disorder that affects veterans. PTSD begins to explain the supernatural that occurred in the original play, “ Geraghty said.  Ting keeps a delicate balance between staying true to “Macbeth” while also using precise moments to help the audience understand the difficult experiences that veterans from every war endure.

Fellow Staples English teacher, Christine Radler, who has years of experience teaching “Macbeth” took her knowledge to Long Wharf Theatre to see “Macbeth 1969.” As a Shakespeare pro Radler could follow along with the plot, however, “the audience really had to know the play well in order to begin to understand the unique adaptation,” Radler said.  The multiple character roles could confuse the audience and were a challenge even to a seasoned English teacher.

Intertwining history and English, “Macbeth 1969” stands as an adaption that provides a unique perspective on “Macbeth” and war veterans  “The audience feels fear when they see tragedy and then ultimately become self reflective. The final question is how do we stop the cycle of violence and raise awareness for PTSD?” Geraghty said.

However, the ice rink in Milford is alive with Staples hockey players practicing for their next game. From school, most Varsity boys go straight there and don’t get home until at least seven at night.

Jesse Burns ’14 says that because of these tough practices and games during the week, it’s difficult to find time and energy to study. After a long day, he doesn’t begin his work until eight o’clock and by then he’s “deadbeat tired and sore it’s hard not to fall asleep.”

The girls’ hockey team has a similar situation. The practices and games are in Shelton, a half hour commute each way. “Several girls have complained of the toll it is taking on their grades, and the time commitment has been the reason for a couple of lost recruits,” Charlotte Axthelm ’12 said, who is the captain of the Varsity team.

These struggles seem to be a common problem for winter athletes. Midterms are an especially difficult time, and time for studying is scarce.

Olivia Kapell ’14 stopped playing hockey this year because of the time issues. “I’m sure this is the case with every winter sport, but it’s hard to explain to your math teacher, ‘Oh sorry, I can’t study. I have a game,’” she said. Kapell says there’s always the option to do work on the bus, but explains that it’s tricky to concentrate.

For the Varsity boys’ basketball team, the practices are cut short during midterms week so the players can have time to study. But the long games “eat up a much bigger chunk of your time,” said Peter Rankowitz ’13.

The commitment to sports and the commitment to school are in a constant battle around the time of exams. On the other hand though, a common positive outcome is the improvement of time management.

Allison April ’13, who plays on both the Junior Varsity and Varsity girls’ basketball teams, says that knowing the times of games in advance helps to plan for schoolwork. She admits that basketball “does limit my study time a little,” but definitely “helps with time management.”

Axthelm agrees, and says that most necessary priority juggling is “doable.” She says that since many girls have been on the team several years, they’ve been able to “work on their time management skills” and figure it out.

Even though it is demanding to cope with both studying and sports, most players believe it to be well worth it, and Staples athletes have adjusted well to their complicated schedules. Fortunately, this plays a big role in making sure that winter athletes’ midterms are no more stressful than any other student’s.