Waverley VFW Post Bestow Scholarships To Belmont High Seniors

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Photo: Chantal Dunn and Kenneth Teng with their scholarship certificates

A pair of Belmont High School 2021 graduates were named co-honorees of annual scholarship from Belmont’s Waverley VFW Post 1272.

Chantal Dunn and Kenneth Teng were presented the Post’s scholarship certicates by John Kuterbach, a life member of the VFW who served in Afghanistan and currently a member of the Post color guard.

Dunn and Teng wrote about their experience and achievements while at Belmont High.

“I will be attending Wesleyan University in the fall. During high school I performed with the Performing Arts Company and enjoyed dancing and acting in musicals such as Little Shop of Horrors,” said Dunn. “I also love to sing, and was an active part of groups like Chamber Singers, the Madrigals, and Senior a Cappella. Every spring, I was a varsity sprinter on the track team and this year I had the opportunity to be an Outdoor Track captain.”

“I spent many years involved with the music program. I played the saxophone and was lucky enough to be a part of the Marching Band for four years,” said Teng. “I also worked at the BASEC program at Burbank Elementary School as a teaching assistant and taught English lessons online to students in China. This fall, I will be attending Northeastern University. I greatly value my time at Belmont High School but I am also very excited to see what the future holds for me”.

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Chenery Educator Zmijewski Lin Named Teacher Of The Year By National History Day

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Photo: Suzanne Zmijewski Lim, Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award winner in the Junior Division (6th to 8th grades) by the National History Day Contest

When Suzanne Zmijewski Lim, an eighth-grade history educator at the Chenery Middle School, heard she was named the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award winner in the Junior Division (6th to 8th grades) by the National History Day Contest, her first reaction was to burst into tears.

“The Zmijewski women are happy criers, and I was so honored to be chosen,” said Zmijewski Lim in an email interview with the Belmontonian.

The award is sponsored by Patricia Behring in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students. As the winner of this award, she will receive $10,000, according to a press release from the NHDC. Zmijewski Lim received the award during National History Day’s live-streamed National Contest Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 19.

“I have put my heart and soul into History Day during my entire 26-year career (plus another year when I did my student teaching at Belmont High School), so I was grateful that my work was recognized in this way, especially in such a difficult year,” she said.

By studying history, students learn about cause and effect, how to have civil discourse, and how to evaluate and make arguments.

Suzanne Zmijewski Lim, Chenery Middle School

National History Day is a year-long interdisciplinary program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for students in grades 6-12. A student-led project by design, NHD asks students to conduct primary- and secondary-source research on a historical topic of their choosing and present their work through a documentary film, website, performance, paper, or exhibit. Students can compete at local, regional, state, and national levels with the opportunity to win prizes and recognition for themselves and their school. Approximately 6,000 students annually participate across the Commonwealth, sponsored in the state by the Massachusetts Historical Society.

With increasing demands are placed on the middle school curriculum in the past decade highlighted by an increased emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and advanced maths classes, Zmijewski Lin believes it is equally important to study history, as it helps people understand their world and their government.

“History is useful as middle school students develop their own identity and figure out how they can contribute to their community and nation. By studying history, students learn about cause and effect, how to have civil discourse, and how to evaluate and make arguments,” she said.

Zmijewski Lin said those Chenery students who seek academic challenges are drawn to the National History Day competition.

“While it is open to all 8th graders, I often invite students I know would love it or who would benefit from pushing themselves to learn new skills. A number of parents also contact me directly because they have heard of History Day and want their students involved. There is a lot of choices within History Day including topic, partners, and type of project, so students get excited about exploring subjects they are passionate about,” she noted.

As examples of students who tested themselves with NHD projects, Zmijewski Lin points to rising Belmont High School 9th graders Sam Geiger and Isabella Hu. 

“In addition to spending hours researching his topic ‘How Feminism in the 1920s Affected Fashion,’ Sam made a professional-looking website and was able to connect to his new sewing hobby by making a dress as part of his project. Isabella wrote an amazing paper on the use of spy satellites during the Cold War which went all the way to Nationals. Both of them really threw themselves into the project, learning and practicing many skills along the way,” she said.  

Zmijewski Lin’s work and passion for NHD was recognized by state and national colleagues.

“Sue is an exceptionally talented teacher, admired by colleagues, administration, and students alike,” said Dr. Elyssa Tardif, director of education at the Massachusetts Historical Society. “Her warmth and guidance are remembered by students years after they’ve left her classroom. In fact, one past NHD student wrote: ‘your class, as well as the whole NHD experience, helped me love learning and believe in myself more.’ Sue embodies the best of what NHD teachers can offer students, and we are incredibly proud to have her representing the entire NHD in Massachusetts program.”

And how will Zmijewski Lin use the award to promote history and NHD activities in Belmont schools? 

“That is a great question! I actually haven’t had a chance to catch my breath after hearing that I won the award, so I will have to think about that over the summer,” she said.

To learn more about how to get involved in NHD, visit masshist.org/masshistoryday.

Town Cuts the Ribbon On DPW Renovation/Addition But Says It Will Be Back Within A Decade For A New Facility

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Photo: The ribbon cutting at the DPW renovation and addition with Highway Division Director Mike Santoro doing the honors

After decades of “inhuman working conditions,” the day finally came that employees at the Department of Public Work have a place worthy of their hard work as the town officially opened the newly renovated building and addition which has been in operation for a couple of months.

“I really want to thank my building committee, they were just awesome,” said Ann Marie Mahoney, chair of the Belmont Police Department/Department of Public Works Building Committee which oversaw the renovation work at both the DPW and police headquarters since Town Meet approved the appropriation back in 2016.

But before residents feel content with the $1.6 million spent on the current project, it remains only a temporary fix as a new DPW facility – with a price tag in the range of $25-$30 million – is less than a decade a way as a complete renovation of the entire plant is just not cost effective.

“Wonderful as this is, I do want to remind people that the clock is ticking,” said Mahoney. “When we started, we said 10 years for a permeant building … so put that on your calendars.”

Mahoney also called out architect Ted Galante of THE GALANTE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO in Cambridge as the “creative genius” behind this relatively inexpensive project as well as the recently wrapped up renovation of the Belmont Police Department headquarters.

“I think the biggest challenge for this project was how do you invest in a building wisely but do it in a cost effective way, to provide the DPW with their needs so that it can be a much better place while knowing it will be replaced in a relatively short time,” said Galante.

After the ribbon was cut by Highway Division Director and 40-year DPW veteran Mike Santoro, the committee took a tour of the building which featured segregated facilities for male and female workers to shower, change, and take a break, a conference room while new bays for repairs and maintenance of the department’s vehicles have been installed.

The chief improvements for those who work out of the building “is it brings a sense of dignity to the place,” said Mahoney.

“When I started here all we had was a small area with lockers but no showers and the bathroom facilities were inadequate. We would take a curtain meant to clean the trucks and use it for privacy,” said John Sheridan, a 12-year veteran of the department. “Now we have that privacy; nice locker rooms, a nice kitchen. As you can see, it’s a world of difference.”

Belmont Town Day Set For A Late Summer Return

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Photo: The return of Town Day is coming in September.

After a postponement and an expected delay, Belmont’s long-running Town Day celebration is returning to Belmont Center although a bit later than its usual time.

The Select Board voted on Monday, June 21 to approve a request by the Belmont Center Business Association to hold the 30th annual Belmont Town Day on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Leonard Street in the hub of the its business center.

Residents and visitors can expect the usual attractions: a dog contest (Belmont’s version of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show), kiddy rides, carnival games and food, a dunk tank, business and groups tables, food for sale and the like.

Due to Belmont’s austerity budget, town services such as police and fire details and DPW crews, will now be paid by the sponsors. Select Board member Mark Paolillo did ask if the business association would be responsible for cleaning up at the conclusion of the pony ride, which Town Administrator Patrice Garvin said they would be.

“Maybe they have been fertilizing the grass and that’s why it’s been growing really well,” said Paolillo.

No One Puts The Marauders In A Corner As Belmont High Grabs ‘GBH High School Quiz Show Championship On The Final Question [VIDEO]

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Photo: The champion Belmont High School team winning the 12th edition of ‘GBH High School Quiz Show

In a thriller between last year’s finalists, Belmont High School overtook returning two-time winners Boston Latin on the final question of the match to eke out the most slender of victories, 1070-1060, to be crowned champions of the 12th season of GBH High School Quiz Show.

With Belmont trailing Latin by 10 points – 990 to 1,000 – the final question of the match asked by long-time host Billy Costa in the lightning round was which 1980s film does Patrick Swayze say ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner”: Dirty Dancing or Sixteen Candles?

As viewers of a certain age were likely screaming “Dirty Dancing!!!!” at their televisions, computer screens or smartphones, the Belmont quartet punched in more collective right answers to pull ahead of the Latin squad to grab the championship at the buzzer.

Belmont was represented by four talented seniors: Tor Metelmann, Margo Danahy, Bennett Mohr and Nathan Sheffield.

In a tight match from the start, the two teams could never pull away from the other during the several segments – Toss-up Round, Head-to-Head, Category Round, and Lightning Round – of the quiz. But in the end, it was the strength of Belmont as a team that will bring the coveted High School Quiz Show trophy to the new trophy case in the high school wing of the Belmont Middle and High School when it opens in September.

High School Quiz Show is Boston public media producer GBH’s award-winning, fast-paced academic competition for Massachusetts high school students. Aside from Jeopardy!, High School Quiz Show is the most popular academic quiz show on American television. 

Marauders Enter Spring Playoffs With A Pair Of Belmont Favorites At Division 1 North Track Championships

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Photo: Belmont High athletes and teams are in playoff and championship action this weekend

A pair of Belmont High field performers and a powerhouse Marauder team will be headlining the return this weekend of sports tournaments and championship meets sponsored by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Senior pole vaulter Sarah Firth will attempt to take the Division 1 North title while junior Sofia Hospodar has the co-longest triple jump in the division this outdoor season at 36-feet, 6-inches. Firth, who won both the All-State and New England titles in 2019, has the best height in the state of 11 feet, 6-inches. Firth will also run the 100-meter hurdles at the meet held in North Andover.

This season marks the return to the pitch of Belmont High Rugby, out to defend its 2019 Division 1 state title. The 4-0 Marauders is the second seed by way of a coin flip with fellow undefeated Milton, the two-time state Division 2 champions who were promoted into the top league this year.

Belmont will host three-seed Boston College High, whose only loss this season was to Belmont, in a semifinal match on Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. on Harris Field.

Belmont Boys’ Lacrosse (5-7) will take on hosts North Attleborough High (6-7) in an 8-9 match-up on Friday, June 18 art 4 p.m., with the winner having the tall task of visiting first ranked Medfield High School (14-1) on Monday.

Belmont High Baseball, ranked 21 (3-8), will have a long trek on Friday, June 18, as they hike up to Haverhill to play 12th ranked Whittier Regional Vocational Tech (7-6) at 1 p.m.

Belmont Boys’ Tennis travels to Concord Carlisle at Noon, Friday, June 18, as the hosts, ranked 6th, will challenge number 11 Marauders.

In competition in the D1N meet completed on Thursday, June 17, Belmont junior Jackson Coelho took 4th in the 800 meters in 1-minute, 57.04 seconds while senior Colby Woo cleared 11-feet, 6-inches in the pole vault for 5th.

At the D1N outdoor track championship meet, Belmont Girls’ will be represented by seniors Leya El-Chanati (100, 200 and long jump); Isabel Burger (1 mile), Rachel November (400 hurdles), the 4×800 relay; while seniors Samantha Lim and Knar Krafian joins Firth in the 100 hurdles.

In Rematch, Belmont High Takes On Current Champ Boston Latin In ‘GBH’s High School Quiz Show Finals On Saturday

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Photo: Here are your Belmont High team in the finals of the 12th season of High School Quiz Show

The Marauders will once again face off against the Wolfpack to earn the title of being really wicked smart.

After defeating Advanced Math and Science in last week’s semi-finals, Belmont High School will take on two-time defending champions Boston Latin School for the title of the 12th season of High School Quiz Show on Saturday, June 19 in a repeat of last year’s championship match.

The finals episode of the academic competition produced by Boston’s ‘GBH will premiere at 6 p.m. on GBH 2 and will also stream at the same time on the High School Quiz Show YouTube channel. 

High School Quiz Show is Boston public media producer GBH’s award-winning, fast-paced academic competition for Massachusetts high school students. Aside from Jeopardy!, High School Quiz Show is the most popular academic quiz show on American television. 

For this year’s competition, the show was produced using a new, innovative hybrid model with students competing remotely and long-time host Billy Costa emceeing from GBH studios in Boston.

High School Quiz Show is endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and the Massachusetts PTA. Questions on the show are aligned with the Massachusetts high school curriculum standards in subjects that include literature, history, civics, science and math, as well as current events, and general knowledge.

Major funding for High School Quiz Show is provided by Safety Insurance. Additional funding is provided by the Museum of Science, Massachusetts Teachers Association, XFINITY from Comcast, Eastern Bank, Emerson College and Subaru of New England.

Biggest Moving Give Away Ever! Belmont High’s Surplus Furniture Up For Grabs July 2

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Photo: It’s first come/first serve for surplus Belmont High furniture

The biggest moving give away ever in town history will occur on Friday, July 2 as Belmont residents will have the opportunity to take away surplus furniture from Belmont High School on a first come/first serve basis on Friday, July 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The give away will allow former students to retrieve their old desks for their apartments, designers who long for 1990-era furnishings to grab some vintage items or bargain hunters to stock up on hidden treasures.

And be prepared to take and carry: Items must be removed from the building during the give away, there is no holding of furniture, and there are no resources available to move the furniture so everyone must come ready to take the furniture by their own means.

The access area will be limited to spaces on the first floor of the high school; all other areas will be secured from access as the building is not be open for tours. Preliminary work on demolishing the circa-1970 building will begin in July to make way for the middle school portion of the new school and new playing fields.

AD Davis Joins 11 Educators And Staff Retiring from the Belmont School District

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Photo: Belmont senior student-athletes (from left) Preston Jackson-Stephens, Ali Noorouzi and Brett Stievater present outgoing Athletic Director Jim Davis with a specialized Boston Red Sox uniform at his retirement.

For the past two decades, Belmont High Athletic Director Jim Davis could be found at every sort of field sports played on Harris Field (as well as games at the Wenner Field House and the Higgenbottom pool to name a few others) watching and cheering on Marauder squads from the sidelines.

On Wednesday, June 2, at halftime of the Marauders Boys’ Rugby match with St. John’s Prep, Davis was once again at Harris Field but this time to be recognized by student-athletes and coaches for his 19 years as Athletic Director and Head of Physical Education for the Belmont School District.

Davis joined 11 fellow educators and staff who were recognized for their more than 200 years of combined service to the district by the Belmont School Committee and the school district on their retirement.

Hosted by Belmont educator and athletic trainer Sarkis Asadoorian, the ceremony while short in time was heartfelt and touching as the presenters welcomed Davis back after he was away from Belmont due to illness.

“We definitely miss you all this year, on behalf of the student section, seeing you at our games, talking about scores throughout the school day. And, man, I’m just very happy to have you back on this field. You’re a great person,” said senior Preston Jackson-Stephens as he and student captains presented Davis with a plaque and a customized Boston Red Sox uniform with the number 19 and his last name.

”This is just a special place,” Davis said after the ceremony. “I’ve been blessed to be able to have the opportunity to serve the school district and the community at Belmont, having great teachers, great coaches, and the best students and community support that is just second to none.”

“Words can’t express my gratitude and appreciation for these past 19 years,” said Davis.

With spare time now on his hands, Davis is leaning towards learning how to fly aircraft, “but more importantly to spending quality time with my family before we – he and his wife, Carolyn – are empty-nesters, before the kids (daughters Allison and Kylie) are done with their college careers. And I also want to spend some quality time with my dad who’s in his early 90s who lives in New Hampshire.”

The school committee and the district presented their virtual accolades to the dozen leaving (or have already left) at the end of the school year. Along with Davis, the educators and staff include:

  • Patty Soliozy
  • Hester Murray
  • Dr. David Learner
  • Robin Hines
  • Cathy Grant
  • Cynthia Femino
  • Jennifer Duffy
  • Joan DiPace
  • Romario Castro
  • Alice Melnikoff
  • Heather Blake
  • Heather Blake, school nurse at Burbank Elementary, 23 years.
  • Romario Castro, Chenery building custodian, 12 years.
  • Joan DiPace, kindergarten assistant at Wellington Elementary, 13 years.
  • Jennifer Duffy, Integrated Preschool Program, 15 years.
  • Cynthia Femino, administrative assistant at Belmont High School, 22 years.
  • Cathy Grant, executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, 21 years.
  • Robin Hines, library aide at Burbank Elementary, 15 years.
  • Dr. David Learner, school psychologist at the Chenery, 17 years.
  • Alice Melnikoff, Community Service Coordinator, 23 years.
  • Hester Murray, special education educator at Winn Brook Elementary, 24 years.
  • Patty Soliozy, maths director for grades 5-12, 14 years.

To read each of the extraordinary resolutions for the retirees, head over the the school committee’s web page.

Rec News: Underwood Pool To Open At 100% With Unlimited Residential Passes; Outdoor Movies At Town Field After July 4th

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Photo: The Underwood Pool from 2019

Responding to the re-opening of public places as state COVID-19 restricts are being pulled back, the Belmont Recreation Commission unanimously voted on Thursday, June 10 to open the Underwood Pool to 100 percent capacity on Wednesday, June 23 with an unlimited number of family and individual passes (aka tags) for residents seeking to cool off this summer.

Residents interested in applying for a pass or more should go to the Recreation Department webpage.

Due to the lifting of the restrictions, patrons will no longer need to pre-register to attend the pool at specific two-hour blocks of time. According to Rec Department Director and Assistant Town Manager Jon Marshall, two green areas will be sectioned off and have spaces marked off “for people who are a little less comfortable can go to.”

As of Friday, June 11, any resident wanting a pass will receive one with the department limiting the number of non-residential passes to those on the waiting list.

So far this season, the Belmont Rec Department has issued 598 family, 104 individual and 62 senior passes – a total of 2,600 people – as the town had prepared to open the pool at 50 percent of capacity. It also has 110 non-residents on a waiting list, according to Brandon Fitts, rec department assistant director. In 2019, the town issued 1,050 tags.

Residents who purchased tags in the belief the pool would be at 50 percent and wish to cancel their passes will only have until June 21 to receive a full refund. Passes will also be sold at a reduced rate later in the season. The cost of passes are $305 for families; $110 for individuals and $50 for seniors.

Films on the Field

At Monday’s meeting, Fitts also announced a free summer-long movie series sponsored by the Rec Department and the Belmont Council of Aging. Using a generous donation from a Belmont couple, the Rec Department has purchased a projector/sound system and screen which will be set up at the Town Field baseball diamond on Thursday evenings.

“We worked really hard with a number of town departments to make this all a reality,” said Fitts, saying the department will screen seven family friendly movies. The events will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. running from July 8 to August 19.

It will be an opportunity for residents to come to the field and bring a picnic dinner [Remember: Town Field is a Carry In, Carry Out play area so bring a bag to remove any refuse]. The town will also hire a group to bring games, set up basketball hoops and “Gaga ball” pits for kids to play until the film begins at 8 p.m. Residents will also be able to use the restroom facilities at the adjacent Beech Street Center. One commissioner suggested “off the record” bringing food trucks to add some culinary choices to the night.

Fitts also said since the sound system will be owned by the Rec Department, there are opportunities to use the equipment for other events around town such as having music at the Underwood Pool, special events, and a possible “Rock the Rink” skating party at the “Skip” in which skaters circle the ice as high school bands perform.

The movies for this summer are the live version of “Aladdin,” the “Parent Trap” with Lindsay Lohan, “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” “Finding Nemo” and the movie version of “Grease.”