Westfield Public Schools

The Westfield Technical Academy High School baseball team sent their ace, Deven Werbiskis, to the mound on the road against Pathfinder at St. Joe’s Park, and he delivered in spades. Werbiskis accepted the task and struck out 13, helping the Tigers pick up a key 4-3 victory to improve to 11-3 overall. “Deven really did a good job on the mound today,” Westfield Tech coach Bob Eak said. “He consistently hit his spots and really kept the Pathfinder hitters off balance.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-technical-academy-baseball-beats-pathfinder-4-3-clinches-share-of-league-title.html

Nathan Sperry, head instructor of the horticulture shop at Westfield Technical Academy, said on May 10 that the annual spring plant sale was wrapping up, and he expected to close at 2 p.m., a few hours earlier than advertised. “We sold a lot of plants,” Sperry said. He said there was a huge crowd on May 7, the first day of the sale, and business had been steady since. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/despite-construction-customers-flock-to-westfield-techs-annual-plant-sale.html

Westfield 19, Chicopee Comp 3 Westfield won at home Friday to remain unbeaten at 13-0. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-bombers-boys-lax-beat-chicopee-comp-19-3-to-remain-unbeaten-13-0.html

Students in Westfield Technical Academy's TV/Radio Broadcasting Program visited the studios of Western Mass News last Thursday. Western Mass News staff remarked that our students had excellent questions and were one of the best groups to visit their studios yet. Special thanks to Western Mass News for hosting our students and to Instructor Steve Forni for arranging this valuable field trip for our students. #authenticlearning #AchievingExcellenceTogether

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Westfield Technical Academy Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer and Westfield, MA High School Adjustment Counselor Carrie Fiordalice about student mental health on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NksJZsQmko

Just when it looked like Westfield baseball’s five-game winning streak was in jeopardy, an unlikely hero emerged to help the Bombers stage a late rally that turned a heartbreaking loss into a thrilling victory. Westfield junior outfielder Jackson LaValley ended a hitless night with a two-out, game-tying single in the bottom of the sixth inning; junior first baseman Patrick Moore knocked in the go-ahead run; senior shortstop Nick Lenfest added some key insurance; and the Bombers rallied to defeat the Longmeadow Lancers 3-2 Thursday at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-baseball-stages-late-rally-to-stun-longmeadow-3-2.html

At the ribbon cutting for the new home at 64 Mill St. built by students of Westfield Technical Academy, Matthew Gomes, head of the construction technology department, took a few minutes to acknowledge the hard work of students in the construction technology, electrical wiring and horticulture technology departments. He also acknowledged the vision of Westfield Technical Academy Foundation, the Polish National Credit Union for funding the loan at 0% interest, and the multiple other sponsors who donated thousands of dollars of materials and financial support, for making the project possible. “It’s been an incredible journey,” said Gomes. He said students were on site for the land survey, excavation and concrete foundation, framed every bit of the entire house, and installed the windows and siding. He said students formed and placed the concrete sidewalk and driveway. Students installed the finishes and millwork after watching the insulation and drywall come together. Students in the newly approved Chapter 74 cabinetmaking program planned, fabricated and installed all of the cabinetry and custom millwork in the house, including all of the kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanities and mudroom. The electrical wiring students completed all the electrical work, and horticulture technology students designed and installed the hardscape and landscape, bringing the exterior to another level with the patio, walkway and plantings not typically found in a new home construction. “The experience of building a house from start to finish cannot be duplicated in a classroom setting back at the school,” Gomes said. Gomes said the project would not have been possible without the support of the Westfield Technical Academy Foundation and its board of directors, and with the guidance of the school’s Program Advisory Committee. “Please know that this project and all of the work of the Westfield Technical Academy is led by volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from this project will go to providing support for our students. Nobody involved in administering the nonprofit is paid,” Gomes said. WTA Foundation President Joseph Tremblay said for him, “to see the kids get an opportunity of this scale, that’s what it’s all about.” He said the students now have a full house build on their resumes. Tremblay and his wife Alexandra own Tremblay Maison in Longmeadow, an interior design, decor and home furnishings company. Alexandra Tremblay, who was not present at the ribbon-cutting, donated her interior design services to the project, overseeing the selection of light fixtures and other features. A few weeks before the grand opening, the WTA Foundation invited local real estate agents to tour the house. Within a few days it was under contract, although Tremblay said the price could not be disclosed until the sale closes later this month. “At the time of sale, this was the only new house on the market in Westfield.” Tremblay said construction items not donated for the home build were able to be purchased with the 0% loan from PNCU. Once sold, the proceeds will go to the Westfield Technical Academy, earmarked for the construction department. He said now they’re “on the hunt for more land.” Tremblay said the WTA Foundation is ready to partner with any department in the school that wants to use it. He said a couple of departments have approached him with ideas. Construction tech seniors who were on hand for the open house were themselves impressed with the work they had done, calling it “amazing” and “really outstanding.” At the end of his remarks, Gomes said the students were the greatest example of teamwork on the project. “Our students did the work here. This home you are standing in was built by students. Teenagers. Students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. When you stop to think, it’s truly remarkable. “Reflecting on this project fills my heart with hope and promise. It can be difficult today to see through all the negativity and conflict — but here, at 64 Mill St. in Westfield, know that you can find evidence of the next generation of leaders and doers. And at the Westfield Technical Academy you will find a dedicated team of students and teachers ready to take on the challenge,” Gomes said. Sponsors for the project included American Floor Covering, Caesarstone, Chelsea Building Products, DeWalt, Huber/Advantech, Zip System, Keller Williams — Shanna Rowe, National Vinyl, Wright Architectural Millwork, Polish National Credit Union, Kelly Fradet, Boise Cascade, the Erickson family, Frank Webb Home, F.W. Webb, Lucky Sevens Carpet, New England Energy Raters, Rosati, Clean Restrooms, Dalessio Overhead Door, Ondrick Natural Earth, R. Levesque Associates, R.J. Sanding, Schluter Systems, 7 Roads Media, Simpson Strong Tie, Trex, FastenMaster, Sherwin Williams and Westfield Gas & Electric. https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/westfield/student-built-home-now-finished-purchased-in-westf/

If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. Last week, we talked with staff from Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center all about the great things they have going on this spring. We also had a little fun with International Harry Potter Day". Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W5t26YH-y8

BOYS LACROSSE Westfield 8, Algonquin 3 Tristan Koumentakos (2 goals, 1 assist), Francis Powers (2 goals, 1 assist), Chris Racicot (1 goal, 1 assist), Drew Theriault (1 goal), Luke Florek (1 goal), and Blake Cavallon (1 goal) powered Westfield’s offense in a May 7 victory. Bombers’ Lucas Guay also had an assist to go along with six ground balls, winning nine of 14 faceoffs. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-bombers-down-algonquin-rise-to-12-0.html

The Westfield boys' volleyball team truly made this one count. Unbeaten Westfield held off some late rallies to defeat defending state champ Agawam in a much-anticipated rematch on the road Tuesday night, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-boys-volleyball-knocks-back-agawam-in-highly-anticipated-rematch.html

BASEBALL Westfield 5, Taconic 2 Westfield pitcher Andre Phaneuf threw a complete game, striking out eight batters to help the Bombers (9-2) avenge an early season loss to Taconic on Saturday in Pittsfield. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-andre-phaneuf-spins-win-for-bombers-baseball.html

We’re proud to announce that Franklin Avenue has been named a @PLTWorg 2023-24 Distinguished Launch School for their commitment to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. This honor is given to a select number of elementary schools across the U.S. for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Launch, an elementary STEM curriculum. #AchievingExcellenceTogether

The horticultural technology staff and students at Westfield Technical Academy are ready for their annual Spring Plant Sale, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, and continuing through Friday, May 10, or until plants are sold out. The plant sale takes place at the Greylock Street entrance to the school, next to the Municipal Playground. Department head Nathan Sperry encourages gardeners to come early. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/early-birds-get-best-selection-at-westfield-tech-plant-sale-starting-tuesday.html

BOYS VOLLEYBALL Westfield def. Saint John’s (Shrewsbury), 25-12, 25-18, 25-18 Westfield swept Saint John’s (Shrewsbury) on May 2 to remain unbeaten. The Bombers improved to 13-0 overall, 6-0 North. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-bombers-boys-volleyball-enjoy-sweeping-success.html

The Westfield High School softball team may have had an eye toward the weekend, but they had to work extra hard to finish off the school week. Westfield survived an extra inning thriller on the road Friday, escaping Hampshire Regional with a 3-2 win in 10 innings. Bombers senior Moja Premny delivered the game-winning hit in the top of the 10th. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-softball-escapes-hampshire-with-3-2-win-in-10-innings.html

There is something historic happening on Montgomery Road in the City of Westfield. On Thursday, the Westfield High School boy's lacrosse team defeated Minnechaug at home, 11-7, to improve to a club best 11-0 record and capture the Valley Wheel title (6-0). It is the best start in school history for the program. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-boys-lacrosse-holds-off-minnechaug-11-7-to-continue-best-start-in-school-history-at-11-0.html

On the third day of the third annual Chef Showdown at Westfield Technical Academy, a collaboration between the culinary arts department and radio and television broadcasting, a division of graphics arts, the teams had been narrowed down to two who were competing for the win. The competition had started with two teams of six on the first day. The winning team that day was broken down to six lead chefs on the second day, who each chose an assistant from the other teams. On the second day, the chefs chose a culture to celebrate through food, such as East Asian, African and Caribbean. The top two teams then advanced to the finals on the third day, where they also chose a sous chef and assistant. On that day, culinary arts teacher and chef Eric Rogers brought in a huge fresh salmon for the teams to prepare. Judges on the last day were Chris Smigel, executive director of hospitality at MGM Springfield and Shortshop Bar & Grill chef Monica Guarnieri, who ducked into the kitchen to help other culinary students who were preparing desserts for a catering job. “I couldn’t sit and wait,” Guarnieri said as she helped the students to make various cookie bars for a Westfield on Weekends volunteer appreciation event later that day. “They’re doing great! They have a good attitude and want to learn,” she said. On Team One in the competition were Nella Dovganyuk, head chef, Elayna Carlson and Aidan Gomez, all juniors in culinary. On Team Two was Ilianis Rivera, Grayson Ventura and Julian Suggs, all sophomores. Also helping in the kitchen was culinary arts teacher Nick Leslie, who is in his first year as instructor at WTA. A former chef at Arbors Assisted Living, Leslie served as a judge in the competition last year. Smigel said this is his second year participating as a judge. “It’s phenomenal to not only get culinary students to show what they’ve learned, but to allow another class to do a full production,” he said. Digital media teacher Steve Forni, whose student crews were filming and recording audio, interviewing and taking still photographs, said the production was going great. He said all of the students were sophomores and juniors from both shops. “It all depends on the buy-in of the culinary students,” he said. Initially, he added, the students did not want to participate, but “they did a total 180, and are now totally into it.” Forni said from the graphics perspective, a lot goes into the production. “This is the third Chef Showdown. It’s not perfect, but won’t ever be perfect. They’ve done a good job improvising,” he said. Team One then emerged with food to be judged. On the menu was firecracker salmon with a julienne squash and carrot medley, and a lemon cheesecake mousse and almond crumble. After sampling the food, the judges were impressed. “Overall, the taste was very good. The presentation fit the season, and the salmon was cooked very well,” Smigel said. He suggested tossing the peaches in oil first to keep them from going brown. He also complimented the balance in the dessert, which he said, “wasn’t too sweet.” Guarnieri agreed that the salmon was perfectly cooked, although she said she didn’t get enough “firecracker” from the spice. She complimented the students on the lime garnish, which she said brought out the flavor. “The dessert knocked me out of the park with the balance of cream and crumble,” Guarnieri, a baker, said, adding that the whole presentation was nicely done. “Good job, guys!” she said. Team Two made salmon primavera with garlic bread, pasta vinaigrette, a Brazilian limeade and cupcake. Guarnieri said again, everything was very good, although the limeade was a little bitter. “The salmon was very nicely cooked — perfect,” she said, adding that the pasta vinaigrette was different, but she liked how the vinegar acid went with the salmon on the plate. She said the cupcake tasted fresh and the buttercream was beautiful. Smigel said he agreed almost entirely. “The salmon was cooked lovely,” he said, also noting the acid from the balsamic vinegar, which “always plays well with salmon in general.” Smigel said the cupcake was probably the favorite thing he had all day, and the top had a nice crunch. Both judges agreed they had a hard decision to make, when asked how the teams performed. They said one team did well on certain things, and the other team did well on opposite things, and it would be very close. The winners will be announced on Westfield Community Television, where all three episodes of the Chef Showdown will be aired on its YouTube channel in the coming weeks, according to Westfield Community TV engineer Ken Stomski, who served as a technical troubleshooter during the production. Post-production will now be entirely in the hands of the broadcast media students. https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/westfield/westfield-culinary-media-students-mix-for-chef-con/

On Wednesday, the Westfield High School baseball team saved the best for last. Westfield sophomore pitcher Josh Wagner tossed a three-hitter, striking out nine batters and senior Ethan Johnson delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off base hit to lift Westfield to a thrilling 1-0 win in the bottom of the seventh inning at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/ethan-johnsons-walk-off-hit-lifts-westfield-baseball-to-dramatic-1-0-win-over-west-side.html

The hits keep on coming and that’s only one of the things that Westfield Technical Academy baseball coach Bob Eak likes most about his team’s 8-1 start. Westfield Tech clubbed 12 hits in just four innings, five of the extra base variety, and Tigers freshman pitcher Jo Jo Pouliot tossed a two-hitter, recording nine strikeouts over four innings of a mercy-shortened 20-4 win against High School of Science & Technology on Tuesday at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-technical-academy-baseball-clubs-sci-tech-to-start-8-1.html

What is the best medicine to remedy a three-game losing streak? How about a blowout victory. Westfield’s Gabi Ritter scored six goals and delivered one assist, and Kara Racicot (3 goals, 3 assists) and Kayli Bush (2 goals, 4 assists) each tallied six points as the Bombers soared to a 20-3 win over Hampshire on Monday in the Whip City. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-girls-lacrosse-ends-slide-with-convincing-victory.html