Staff Profile
Ben Reiser –– Managing Editor
Coffin Placed Near Cafeteria
Ben Reiser and Brittany Healy
May 15, 2013
Filed under News
Every year, the Teen Awareness Group (TAG) organizes Grim Reaper Day, a day to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. In the past, TAG has displayed a coffin outside of the cafeteria; however, it decided to remove the coffin in 2006 to show respect to students who had suffered the death of... Read more »
“A Christmas Story,” Scored by Staples Alumnus Justin Paul ’03, Nominated for Three Tonys
Ben Reiser , Staff Writer
May 2, 2013
Filed under A&E, Top Stories
It’s certainly not uncommon for a Staples Players production to compared to a Broadway show. With this year’s Tony Award nominations, however, Players has taken Broadway—literally. On April 30, the full list of 2013 Tony nominees was announced at Lincoln Center—and on that list with three... Read more »
A Different Kind of Gender Gap: Teenage Attitudes on Pornography Differ Between the Sexes
Ben Reiser and Jamie Wheeler-Roberts
April 12, 2013
Filed under News
In middle school health classes, when the topic turns to sex education, there’s a clear divide between genders as to how they deal with their own questions, Bedford Middle School health teacher Joanne Rogers, said. “I find that boys are more eager to answer or ask questions during large-group... Read more »
Westport Public Schools Closed Monday, Feb. 11
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
February 10, 2013
Filed under News
Suzanne Kammerman, a social studies teacher at Staples, lives in Shelton. For her, Winter Storm Nemo meant a staggering 36 inches of snow, no plows and a tree that fell onto her house on Saturday night. “We live at the end of a cul-de-sac and about one mile from a main road. No plow has touched... Read more »
Emily Greenberg ’13 to Appear on “Jeopardy Teen Tournament”
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
February 4, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories
Staples Trivia for $500: This Staples senior will be on “The Jeopardy! Teen Tournament” this Tue. Feb. 5. Answer: Who is Emily Greenberg? Last fall, Greenberg was chosen from a pool of teenagers to participate in the 10-game “Jeopardy!” competition with 15 participants. To qualify, teens... Read more »
Staples Math Teacher, Swim Coach Charged with Sexual Assault
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
December 17, 2012
Filed under News
Charges against Jeffrey Schare, the math teacher and swim coach whose departure from the faculty was announced at the end of November, have been made public. According to the Connecticut Post, Schare was arrested in Fairfield on Monday after confessing to sexually assaulting two young girls for several... Read more »
Staples Students React to Newtown Elementary School Shooting
Ben Reiser and Ryder Chasin
December 14, 2012
Filed under Breaking News, News
Today’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown has sparked reaction among Staples students—several of whom have made contact with Newtown enrollees or outside sources through social media. Texting, Twitter, and Facebook have been the news outlets around school. Trending on Twitter:... Read more »
Oklahoma to Open Despite Nor’easter
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
November 7, 2012
Filed under News
How much abuse can a show take and still raise the curtain on opening night? A lot, apparently, if it's the Staples Players' production of Oklahoma!, which previews tomorrow. "This nor'easter shouldn't affect opening night, because we've been working hard for a long time," said Staples Player Jack... Read more »
Weighing The Nominees: Romney
Olivia Kalb and Ben Reiser
November 7, 2012
Filed under Opinions
If President Obama was the CEO of a corporation, he would be fired. America has given President Barack Obama four critical years to save our economy. In fact, he failed even with virtually unchecked power to fix things when Congress was under complete Democrat control his first two years in office. President... Read more »
Top Five Storm Movies to Watch (At Least Until the Power Goes Out)
Ryder Chasin and Ben Reiser
October 29, 2012
Filed under A&E
For More Coverage on Hurricane Sandy Click HERE Though the trees sway and stray leaves swirl, the weather right now is eerily calm. Before the worst comes and the power inevitably cuts, there can’t be anything better than watching a few quality storm flicks, curled up on the couch under a blanket... Read more »
Batteries: The Safety Net During Sandy
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
October 28, 2012
Filed under Features
For More Coverage on Hurricane Sandy Click HERE. On a day when hurricane preparations meant gas stations running out of gas, photos of Compo Beach appearing in The Los Angeles Times, and water beginning to flood streets near the shoreline, maybe it wasn’t surprising that acquiring batteries became... Read more »
Setting An Example: Are Parents Sending A Mixed Message With Tailgating?
Jamie Wheeler-Roberts and Ben Reiser
October 26, 2012
Filed under News
It’s a cool Friday night in October. Football players navigate the turf faster and faster as they hear shouts and hollers from the white-clad audience. The band plays; the cheerleaders leap. All is well at Staples High School. In the parking lot, though, just before the game, there’s a party with... Read more »
Staples Parent Brett Aronow Appointed to BOE
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
October 7, 2012
Filed under News
For some students, the new face on the Westport Board of Education (BOE) may be surprisingly familiar. In fact, Brett Aronow, who was appointed on Sept. 24 to fulfill the vacant position on the BOE when chairman Don O’Day resigned in August, has three children in Staples: class of 2014 twins Baxter... Read more »
Teen Injured in Halftime Incident
Jamie Wheeler-Roberts and Ben Reiser
September 21, 2012
Filed under Sports
Just after halftime at tonight’s football game against Bridgeport Central High School, a 17-year-old male allegedly lost balance near the junior parking lot and fell to the asphalt road along the field. Police declined to comment on the incident, which drew a crowd of onlookers. According to CJ... Read more »
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Your Google Apps (But Probably Should)
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
September 20, 2012
Filed under Features
“Did you share your Google Doc with me?” “I definitely sent you that link. Just check your Gmail.” “Check your Google Reader every week and write a paragraph on the latest news.” Now that the district-wide Google Apps for Education transition is essentially complete, it’s high... Read more »
Why Day One of the Republican National Convention Made Me Proud to Be a Conservative
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
August 29, 2012
Filed under Opinions
I’m not going to lie: sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith. Living in a community where I fear getting keyed if I place a Romney-Ryan bumper sticker on my car, it’s often difficult to be open about my stance as a Republican. But be sure: I have never felt more proud to be a Republican than... Read more »
Travel Buddies: When Graduation Does Not Mean Goodbye
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
June 19, 2012
Filed under News
Whether it’s with cool confidence, impatient irritation, or terrified trepidation, seniors ultimately venture off into the world for internships, stride across the stage at graduation, and, a few months later, bid farewell to Westport to achieve their post-high school goals. For many of this year’s... Read more »
Minor Automobile Accident on Campus as Summer Begins
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
June 15, 2012
Filed under News
A few minutes after the excited cheers died down in the lobby and the year’s homework assignment sheets fluttered to the ground, there was an unusual scene at the front of school: a police car parked in front of a crowded bus. According to Principal John Dodig, a student driver inadvertently tapped... Read more »
Students Indifferent Toward Recent Facebook IPO Holding
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
May 31, 2012
Filed under News
Although it’s pretty rare to overhear financial discussions at Staples outside of economics class, there has been talk about the latest economic news affecting everyone’s favorite social network: Facebook. When Facebook was launched in 2004, it was privately-held, or owned by an exclusive number... Read more »
Baseball Loses to Trumbull’s Golden Eagles in FCIAC Semi-Finals
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
May 24, 2012
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
It started out as a sunny, warm day for a baseball game, but slowly turned into disaster for the Wreckers baseball team as clouds formed and the temperature plunged. On May 24 at Bridgeport’s Harbor Yard, in one of the closest—and longest—games this season, the Wreckers lost to the Trumbull... Read more »
Student Schedules for 2012-2013 Year to Be Released by Early June
Ben Reiser, Managing Editor
May 9, 2012
Filed under News
Schedules for the 2012-2013 school year will be made available to students by the end of the first week of June, according to assistant principal James Farnen. Along with a homeroom meeting during which students will be given hard copies of their schedules, they will be sent out in the mail, as well... Read more »
The Last Curtain Call: “Into the Woods” Marks Final Mainstage Production for 2012 Senior Players
Ben Reiser, News Editor
April 1, 2012
Filed under A&E
Late in the hours of March 24, as the cast members of “Into the Woods” took their bows during the curtain call of the closing show, Jamie Yarmoff ’12 felt an odd feeling she couldn’t shake. She knew the reason behind that feeling, though: as a senior graduating in a few months, she realized she... Read more »
Comfort or Style? PJs and Sweats
Ben Reiser, News Editor
March 16, 2012
Filed under Opinions
Back in January, a Wall Street Journal article brought to light what is apparently considered a pressing national issue: students wearing pajamas to school. The piece mentioned aLouisianacommissioner’s proposed ordinance outlawing the wearing of pajamas in public and quoted him as saying, “The... Read more »
Students Respond to Results of Super Tuesday 2012
Ben Reiser, News Editor
March 8, 2012
Filed under News
Super Tuesday: the Tuesday during presidential election year when the greatest number of state primary contests are held. Super Tuesday: a day that can spell astonishing success or devastating failure for a presidential campaign. Super Tuesday: arguably the most critical day of an election cycle. Yet... Read more »
A Q&A with Student Songwriter and Singer Jacqueline Devine ’13
Ben Reiser, News Editor
March 1, 2012
Filed under A&E, Music
For most Staples students, iTunes is the central hub for music. If there’s a new single tearing up the charts by Nicki Minaj, Adele, or David Guetta, iTunes is guaranteed to have it. However, for Jacqueline Devine ’13, iTunes is something much more personal: it’s the place where her very own... Read more »
Liepolt, Longtime Staples English Teacher, Unexpectedly Retires
Ben Reiser, News Editor
February 29, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories
When Matt Smith ’13 received a letter from his Film Analysis teacher addressed to him and his parents toward the end of February break, his initial reaction was shock. “I was wondering, ‘Oh, God, what did I do?’” Smith recalled. However, the letter did not express disapproval of Smith;... Read more »
Jon Hunstsman: The Solution to the Hunt for the Right Man
Ben Reiser, News Editor
February 17, 2012
Filed under Opinions
In a heated race against unshakable, extremist right-wing politicians, Jon Huntsman, Jr. offered a refreshing dose of what this nation needs most: logic. Huntsman, unlike the other Republican contenders, holds more moderate—rational—standpoints on... Read more »
Feb. 14, 2012 | Parking Problems
Ben Reiser, News Editor
February 14, 2012
Filed under The Daily Click
7:25 a.m. For many students driving to school, parking became an issue this Valentine's Day morning. Upon arrival, students discovered that several spaces in the front parking lot had been cordoned off by caution tape. According to Principal John Dodig, these spaces have been reserved for members of... Read more »
Feb. 13, 2012 | Teenage Citizen of the World
Ben Reiser, News Editor
February 13, 2012
Filed under The Daily Click
2:41 p.m. Doug “The Thug” Russ ’13 works on his project for the Model United Nations (Model UN) club in the English/Social Studies Learning Center after school.
Surprise Sweep: Santorum Wins Three States, Shakes Up Race
Ben Reiser, News Editor
February 9, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories
On Feb. 7, the Republican primary contest was reshaped dramatically. The race, largely believed to be between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, proved Rick Santorum a serious competitor, as he defeated his challengers in three state primaries: Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri. In the Colorado caucus,... Read more »
Planet Morgan
Ben Reiser, News Editor
January 25, 2012
Filed under Features
It all started with a gift: a telescope from his parents. Since the day that gift was given to a then-12-year-old Nicholas Morgan, he knew that his true passion lies in the field of astronomy. In fact, Dr. Morgan, now a science teacher at Staples, has an accomplishment not many on this planet can... Read more »
Tame Gervais, Diverse Winners at 2012 Golden Globes
Ben Reiser, News Editor
January 16, 2012
Filed under A&E
“The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton—a bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker, and more easily bought.” With that, host Ricky Gervais opened the live broadcast of the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards from Beverly Hills, Calif. on Jan. 15. Following... Read more »
Romney Wins New Hampshire GOP Primary
Ben Reiser, News Editor
January 11, 2012
Filed under News
Electoral history was made on Jan. 10, when Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won the N.H. primary, following a victory in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3. This makes Romney the first Republican non-incumbent to win both New Hampshire and Iowa since 1976. “Tonight, we celebrate,” said the... Read more »
Challenge, Passion & The Future: Why Enrollment in Certain AP Classes is On the Rise
Ben Reiser, News Editor
January 5, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories
476. 977. During the 2011 Advanced Placement (AP) testing period, these were the respective numbers of Staples students that took an AP exam, and the total number of AP exams taken by students, according to assistant principal James Farnen. These values show an increase in AP participation from the... Read more »
PSAT Scores Sent to Juniors
Ben Reiser, News Editor
December 10, 2011
Filed under News
According to Elaine Schwartz, the director of the guidance department, scores on the PSAT/NMSQT exam, which most juniors took on Oct. 5, have been sent out in the mail. Schwartz said Alan Jolley, a mathematics teacher who heads most of the standardized testing procedures for Staples students, received... Read more »
Hungry Enough to Eat a Horse: Students React to New Law Legalizing Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption
Ben Reiser, News Editor
November 30, 2011
Filed under News
“I don’t know why someone would eat a horse. I’ve never really heard of that before.” This was the thought that perplexed Valerie Fitton ’14 when she learned of the passage of federal Spending Bill H.R. 2112, which legalizes the slaughtering of horses for human consumption. Since 2006,... Read more »
#Haters: Juniors Engage Pop Star Aaron Carter in Twitter Brawl
Ben Reiser, News Editor
November 16, 2011
Filed under A&E
Aaron Carter may have told us how he beat Shaq, but we don’t really know why he tweets back. For most Staples students, Nov. 15 was any other Tuesday, with the normal routine of school, sports practice, homework, dinner, and sleep. But for some students, Nov. 15 was not just a regular weekday. It... Read more »
Accountability vs. Personalization: Late Test-Taking Policies Vary Within Staples
Ben Reiser, News Editor
November 8, 2011
Filed under Features
In the midst of her freshman year, Chloe Pflug ’13 was cut down by a vengeful entity. The culprit? Common illness. As a result, she missed not only various homework and in-class assignments, but Spanish and Geometry tests as well. Upon her return to school, Pflug says, she found that both teachers... Read more »
Major Record Labels to Possibly Abandon CD Format by End of 2012
Ben Reiser, News Editor
October 30, 2011
Filed under A&E
If you’re a Staples student, chances are you bought your last single, album, soundtrack, EP or remix on iTunes. The idea of getting your music from a CD probably hasn’t even dawned on you for the last four or five years, except maybe when Amazon shipped a few copies of Lady Gaga’s latest album... Read more »
Shake Shack: The Review
Ben Reiser, News Editor
October 13, 2011
Filed under A&E, Lifestyle
After months of anticipation, burger chain Shake Shack opened its Westport location in mid-July. The Shake Shack concept was developed by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, which owns and operates New York City fine dining restaurants. The first Shack opened in Madison Square Park in 2004,... Read more »
Instinct vs. Repetition: Debating the Usefulness of AP Review Books
Ben Reiser, News Editor
October 11, 2011
Filed under News
When walking down almost any hallway at Staples High School, it is quite difficult not to spot a student toting a Barron’s, Princeton Review, or Five Steps to a Five AP review book in their arms. “When I used an AP review book, they made my grades better for sure,” said Jake Petterson ’12,... Read more »
Famed Shake Shack Arrives in Westport
Ben Reiser, News Editor
October 6, 2011
Filed under A&E
After months of anticipation, burger chain Shake Shack opened its Westport location in mid-July. The Shake Shack concept was developed by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, which owns and operates New York City fine dining restaurants. The first Shack opened in Madison Square Park in 2004,... Read more »
AP Environmental Classes Embark on First Ecology Trip
Ben Reiser, News Editor
September 19, 2011
Filed under News
Macroinvertebrate testing. Transect sampling. Water quality testing. These are just a few of the scientific processes that AP Environmental Science students conducted on a field trip to the Devil’s Den Preserve in Weston. The AP class, which has traditionally taken just one field trip late in the... Read more »
A Difficult Transition: New Windows 7 Kills Long-Used FrontPage Program
Ben Reiser, News Editor
September 10, 2011
Filed under News
At the start of the school year, students and teachers alike noticed a dramatic change in the technological scheme of Staples High School: Windows 7 has arrived. According to Natalie Carrignan, the Director of Technology for Westport Public Schools, Windows 7 was brought to the district because the... Read more »
UPDATE: School Opening May Be Postponed Until August 31
Ben Reiser, News Editor
August 26, 2011
Filed under News
According to a memo posted on the Westport Public Schools website and sent in an e-mail via Connect-ED, if Westport schools are forced to close on Monday due to Hurricane Irene, the first day of school for the 2011-12 year will be August 31. This is the day after school has been planned to commence. In... Read more »