Click here to read a story on the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys' Basketball team beating Athletes Institute of Canada at the Bluegrass Showcase in Kentucky Dec. 12.

Click here to read a story on Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Boys' Basketball team being featured on Kentucky Sports Radio,

Click here to read a story on University of Kentucky coach John Calipari watching Wilbraham & Monson Academy beat Athletes Institute at the Bluegrass Showcase Dec. 12 in Kentucky.

Not everyone is selected for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Western District event.

Five students from Wilbraham & Monson Academy, however, passed their respective auditions and will participate at the 2016 performance.

Tori Zingarelli '17, Yujia "Cynthia" Zhang '17, Nick Dubois '18 and Chanling "Lily" Bai '18 were named to Senior Western District, while Olivia Schonagel earned a spot on Junior Western District.

"It's great to have so many students selected," said Thad Wheeler, of WMA's Fine & Performing Arts Department. "They've worked hard. They had to audition. It's a detailed audition. They have pretty detailed grading sheets. I did a lot of prep work with everyone individually. Not everyone makes it. You have to be at a high level to make it."

Senior Western District will perform at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Jan. 16 at 3 p.m., while Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham will host the Junior Western District March 9 at 1 p.m.

Cynthia scored so well during her alto chorus audition she was invited to try out for the all-state show. It will be her second time performing at Western District.

"Singing in front of a lot of people is fun," she said. "Last year we sang six or seven songs in front of the whole district and I wanted to do it again.

Tori made Western District for the third time. She was chosen as an alto this year, while the last two years she participated as a soprano.

"I like trying out because there are always different people doing it," Tori said. "I learn something different every year. Last year I learned more powerful ways to use an ensemble while still being in control. This year I don't know what I'm going to learn. It's really interesting – it's always interesting when I go there. There's never a dull moment."

Lily accomplished the rare feat of earning two spots at Western District. Not only will she sing in the alto section of the chorus, she will also perform on the harp in the orchestra.

"I'm really looking forward to having rehearsals," Lily said. "I'm surprised I made it."

Nick, in his first audition for Western District, won a spot in the tenor section of the chorus.

"I wasn't expecting to be selected," Nick said. "It's the first time I've done such a thing, but I was excited when I heard I made it. I'm thankful to Mr. Wheeler for working with me. He spent a lot of time with me. I'm looking forward to it and it's going to be a good experience."

Olivia Schonagel '21, in her first audition, won a spot in the Junior Western District chorus in the alto section.

"I'm excited to try this new opportunity," Olivia said. "I enjoyed the experience of working with Mr. Wheeler and preparing for the auditions. I'm excited to represent WMA. I feel like this is a wonderful opportunity WMA has given me to express myself through music."

Click here to read a story on Sam Hart '12 being named to the Division III All-American team for Amherst College football.

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Football team had its best record in years, and with that came a big reward.

Two Titans were named to the New England Prep School Athletic Council All-New England Class B team, while eight players were selected to the Western New England Independent Class B squad.

"That's a strong reflection of our team as a whole," WMA Coach Jeff Vartabedian said. "We were able to get eight guys selected because we had a winning record, and that was a total team effort. It was great to honor to have more guys selected this year. It's well-deserved."

Jaelon Blandburg '16 and Alex Claudio '17 earned spots on the All-New England team. Jaelon, Alex, Jack Faulstick '16 and Dylan Dupont '16 made the Western New England First Team, while Steve Puzzo '16, James Halloran '16, Amir Zeisler '16 and Caelan Etti '17 were chosen for the Second Team.

Jaelon, a post-graduate who played wide receiver, is being recruited by all of the Ivy League programs.

"Jaelon had an outstanding year for us," Coach Vartabedian said. "He made catches in every which way. We threw screens to him, threw deep to him a lot and over the middle. He's a versatile and unselfish player. He did a great job blocking as a wide out and always seemed to come up with a big play at a crucial time. He had a great combination of speed, agility, the ability to go up in a crowd and catch the ball, and catch and run. He's a versatile wide receiver."

Despite being a junior, Alex, a hard-hitting linebacker, is already being scouted by Division I programs.

"Alex set the tone for our defense pretty much every week," Coach Vartabedian said. "He had a lot of highlight hits – seems like he had a highlight hit almost every week of the season. He's versatile, strong and tough. As an outside linebacker he did a great job containing the outside run, he was great in coverage and locking up man-to-man with a receiver. With the demands of the position, he just did a tremendous job. He had a lot of tackles for a loss in the backfield."

Below are statistics on the players who received post-season honors:

• Jaelon Blandburg, WR/DB: (offense) 52 receptions for 589 yards and seven touchdowns; three two-point conversions; (defense) 41 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups.

• Alex Claudio, OLB/WR: (defense) 56 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss for 107 yards, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups, one sack, six quarterback hits; (offense) 18 receptions for 329 yards, 20 rushes for 133 rushing yards, four touchdowns.

• Dylan Dupont, DT: 30 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two quarterback pressures, two batted passes.

• Caelan Etti, RB: 69 rushes for 430 yards, four touchdowns.

• Jack Faulstick, QB (will attend Amherst College): completed 105 of 196 passes for 1,667 yards and 24 touchdowns; 68 rushes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

• James Halloran, LB: 46 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, one quarterback pressure.

• Steve Puzzo, WR, DB: (offense) 22 receptions for 423 yards and eight touchdowns, 10 rushes for 58 receiving yards; (defense) 21 tackles, one interception, one touchdown, two fumble recoveries, four pass breakups.

• Amir Zeisler, LB: 61 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six quarterback hits, one blocked punt, one blocked point after attempt.

Gracious and professional are two positive words, and those words describe this year's Middle School Lego Robotics team at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

At the conclusion of the Eighth Annual FFL Qualifying Tournament, an all-day competition held in Agawam Dec. 12, the Academy was named the winner of the Gracious Professionalism Award. The event included 23 teams.

"I was happy for our kids," said Middle School faculty member Luke Pelletier, the team's coach. "We had some strong personalities and some debating, and I kept telling them they had to work together.

"They pulled it off. The kids did well. I'm real proud of them."

The WMA team included Tristan Lynch '20, Kyle Yamagishi-Rodstein '20, Kyrin Walsh '20, Atilla Troy '20, Nolan Lorenzana '20 and Tyler Tranghese '21.

The competition was split into three categories, none of which included coach participation, meaning the kids were fully in charge.

"They want to see how involved the team members have been and that the coaches aren't building the robot and the kids understand it," Mr. Pelletier explained. "When they were done there they did their presentation, and then they went into the final room to do a (robotic) assignment. I don't even know what the assignment was because I wasn't allowed in there."

WMA gave a presentation on recycling at the Academy.

A year ago, the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Basketball team probably would have lost to a good team in a tight game.

But it isn't a year ago anymore.

With the game tied and one minute to go, in their first game of the season, the Titans made all the plays down the stretch and beat visiting Miss Hall's School 48-43 Dec. 15.

"I think it was a great first game for the fact that last year we would lose that game," Coach Durelle Brown said. "Any tight game, we would crumble at the finish. I told them I was happy with them because it was a bend but don't break mentality. It would have been nice to beat Miss Hall's by 20, but to win a game that we would have lost last year, moving forward our season will be fantastic."

Meera Ratte '18 was clutch late and showed why she is being recruited at the Division I level. After letting a double-digit lead slip away and the game tied 43-43 with a minute remaining, Meera drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner. She later iced the game with two free throws in the closing seconds.

All seven players who played in the game scored for the Academy. Meera and Katie Cronin '17 both scored 10 points, while Alex Garrison '18 added nine and Gianna Mitchell '17 eight.

"The fun part about us is, every game, there's going to be a different Player of the Game," Coach Brown said. "They're an unselfish group and they understand the team comes first."

Miss Hall's led 18-14 with four minutes to go in the first half. But the Titans shook the first-game jitters and closed out the half on a 14-3 run before opening the second half with a 7-0 spurt.

"Once we settled into the ball game and took their best player more seriously, it was great," Coach Brown said.

"It was a great first game to win and now we're off to the Stoneleigh Burnham Tournament."

WMA will play three games at the SBS Tournament, starting with a battle against the Millbrook School at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18. The Titans will play two games Dec. 19 at a time to be determined.

A truly great coaching era at Wilbraham & Monson Academy has come to an end.

Gary Cook, one of the Academy's most successful and influential coaches, announced his retirement as Head Coach of the Varsity Boys' Soccer team Dec. 17. Coach Cook, a member of the WMA soccer program for 37 seasons, addressed his players after school meeting.

"Forty years overall of coaching, 35 years as a Head Coach and teacher of history at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, those numbers resonate with me," said Coach Cook, who has been involved in soccer at some level every fall season since 1968. "I don't think there's any one, single reason. I think it's time for a change for me. I think maybe it's time for a change with the program, to get some fresh energy and maybe a different personality with the boys.

"I have a wonderful wife who I haven't been around for four decades and it's time to spend time with my family. I feel like it's time for a lot of reasons. We've had a lot of success and I'm so proud of the boys who have played here. It's time for something different but I know I'm going to miss it."

Coach Cook won more than 200 games – probably closer to 250. He coached three All-Americans, two state Players of the Year and one National Player of the Year. His teams won seven division titles and New England titles in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Sean McGrath '07, WMA's Assistant Coach, played on the '06 team as a post-graduate.

"Gary has never compromised his values as a coach and what it means to be a player in the Titan jersey and respecting the game," Coach McGrath said. "Coming up and him being my mentor, that's something I've really admired in him. He's had the ability to continually do things the right way over 35 years. It will kill him to step down, but like he said, he hasn't had a fall off in 47 years.

"The things I've learned from him and the impact he's had on my life – not just my career but also my personal development – has been unparalleled."

Although there are a few things he won't miss, such as long bus rides and games in bad weather, there are a number of aspects of coaching he will miss:

"I'm going to miss standing on Corbin Field and looking up at the mountain on a fall day; I'm going to miss when the boys come together in a game with stuff we've been working on in training; I'm going to miss when the reserves get into a game and play almost as good as the first group; I'm going to miss young boys turning into men and having soccer be a part of it; and I'll miss walking around campus being called coach."

A highly respected history teacher, Coach Cook carried his love for teaching and history into his coaching. He realized how much teaching and coaching had in common after attending a coaching clinic in 1985.

"Someone told me, 'Coaching is teaching, and we're going to help you become a better teacher of the game.' At the end of the day, the game has given me a chance to share that. We tried to use the field as a classroom. The values of athletics transfer to the classroom."

Soon after graduating college, WMA Athletic Director Don Nicholson '79 coached a dozen seasons with Coach Cook before shifting to the Girls' Soccer program.

"I've watched him build a program that isn't just one of the best in Western New England but certainly in all of New England prep soccer," Coach Nicholson said. "Gary will be missed in the program but his legacy and all the work he's done will live on."

Dr. Bob MacLauchlin '50W was given a surprise breakfast by representatives of his former department and former students, during Colorado State University's Annual Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 17. Bob served at Colorado State University as Professor of Speech Instruction (undergraduate and graduate programs) from 1969 -1997. Major broadcasting programs that Bob created include an annual CSU - Colorado Broadcasters Association, High School Broadcasting Institute and Con Broadcast Day. The latter attracted a former president of the United States, FCC commissioners, cable and network executives and leaders from the National Association of Broadcasters.

Roy Hayward Jr. '50W wrote that he and Rose were married in Hawaii in July. "We're snow birds enjoying sunny Florida with a new ranch house under construction in Bellingham, Mass. for our return in the summers."

'Tis the season and some parents just made it a little brighter for Middle School Faculty members at Wilbraham & Moson Academy.

Loulou Hannoush, parent of Elie '21, and other Middle School parents organized a festive luncheon for the faculty on Dec. 16 as a way to say thank you and show their appreciation.

The luncheon was held in Morrow House and included a beautiful variety of foods.

"I wanted to do something special for the faculty and staff," said Mrs. Hannoush. "I wanted to express my appreciation for the teachers and this is what we decided to do. It's so nice to see everyone together, the faculty eating together."

She added she was very grateful to the parents who brought food throughout the morning and helped set up for the luncheon.

"I felt I could do it with a big heart, but I found involving the whole community was better. I want everyone to feel it's home. It is a joy for me to do this to express my gratitude to the faculty and staff for all they do for our kids."

"The holiday luncheon was extraordinarily gratifying, as was the pleasure parents took in making us feel honored and at ease," said Stuart Whitcomb, Director of the Middle School. "The community cheerleader in me appreciated the grassroots nature of it all. The fact is, Middle School parents brought this idea forward, organized it, and made sure it was perfect, all on their own. It was not obligatory, it was heartfelt, and unbelievably delicious."

"The event was beautiful, the food was delicious and the warmth and generosity of our community was amazing," said Assistant Director of Admission Marjorie Weeks. "To celebrate our school family in this way was just how the holidays should begin."

Click here to read a story on Christina Wakefield '14 being named to the All-Patriot League Third Team.

Since she was a young girl, Wilbraham & Monson Academy English Department faculty member Liz Mitchell-Kelly '04 has kept a journal.

In mid-December, Liz wrote something in her journal she thought other people might have some interest in, so she sent it to The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post replied immediately. Not only did the online media giant say it was going to run the piece, but it also wanted Liz to come on board as an independent blogger.

"It was one of those things where I woke up at 4 a.m. and something was really bothering me," Liz explained. "I had to write it down. After I looked at it, I thought, 'Maybe this could be something and is more than a journal entry. Maybe somebody might want to read this.' I submitted it to see what would happen and they emailed me back that same day.

"I'm very excited. I've had multiple pieces of writing that I've been working on but I haven't known what outlet they belong in. Now I have somewhere. I have the freedom to write about things that matter to me."

Liz has been a blogger for Ad Week, an advertising public relations magazine, and has had some pieces posted at the website Feministing and other small literary magazines. Huffington Post, though, is a totally different level, with her piece, "Hanukkah Reflections on my Refugee Heritage," catching the attention of the company's management.

"I had found myself very disturbed by some of the political rhetoric being tossed around," Liz said. "As a child of a Jewish mother and Catholic father, my mother's family had come here from Germany and Eastern Europe and I've heard harrowing stories. My mother has told me stories about her aunt who had survived a concentration camp. With the numbers on her arms, she was a walking reminder of not only the cruelty that humanity is capable of, but also the kindness that can combat that cruelty. Similarly, my father's family is Irish, but they came here escaping tyranny and famine.

Click here to read the blog written by Liz on The Huffington Post.

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Basketball team won the runner-up plaque at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School Tournament a year ago.

This season, the Titans earned a little bit more.

Behind its tireless defense, the Academy won three games in two days to claim the 2015 SBS Tournament title, beating Millbrook School 56-19, King School 54-33 and Winsor School of Boston 49-40 in the final.

"I told our girls at halftime that Winsor had already given us their best shot – that's all they had," Durelle Brown said. "We had them figured out and just had to score. There was a stretch where we went on a 9-0 run in the second half and the game was over. Winsor cracked a little bit. We demoralized them. Winsor made a valiant effort, but there's a toughness and togetherness about us that you can't measure."

In the final, Meera Miller '17, who was named to the All-Tournament team, led the Titans with 14 points, followed by Annika Bruce '17 (12 points) and Katie Cronin '17 (11).

WMA weathered an 18-5 run by Winsor in the first half, pulling within four at the break before taking the lead early in the second half.

"We go down six, 18-12, and then fighting back and taking the lead, that was our first real adversity all year," Coach Brown explained. "We're just different this year. We were up five, but the game was still in the balance and Winsor was still making baskets. But we got two more stops, got up seven, and that was it."

Meera scored a game-high 28 points to pace WMA in the win over King in the semifinal, and Katie (16 points), Gianna Mitchell '17 and Annika (10) all reached double digits in the opener vs. Millbrook.

"We're 4-0, and we're 4-0 because the girls play for each other," Coach Brown said.

Click here to read a story on Brielle Robinson '13 being named an ECAC Division III New England All-Star at the University of New England for women's soccer.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Meera Ratte '17 didn't feel like she played well in an easy win in the first girls' basketball game of the 2015 Stoneleigh-Burnham School Tournament.

In order for the team to win, Meera knew she had to play better in the team's final two games. Meera did her part, and sure enough, the Titans won the title.

Meera scored 28 points in a semifinal and 14 more in the final as WMA, which lost in the championship a year ago, claimed the SBS crown. Meera was named to the all-tournament team.

The Titans defeated Millbrook 56-19 Dec. 18 in a quarterfinal before topping King School 54-33 and the Winsor School 49-40 the following day en route to the championship.

"After Friday night's game against Millbrook, I wasn't happy with how I played at all," Meera said. "I definitely could have played much better. So Saturday morning against King, I knew I had to play well in order for us to win the championship. The team can do well without me, but to give the team the extra push that it needs, I had to play well.

"Saturday morning I wanted to get the team a nice win so we could get to the championship. When we got to the championship, since we got there the year before, we knew what it was going to feel like. As a team we came together and I tried to push everyone to do what they're capable of doing in order for us to win, and we got the 'W.'"

Meera played well in all facets of the game. She made shots inside and outside, rebounded, played good defense, and got up and down the court.

"We know how special she makes us," Coach Durelle Brown said. "I've told her that we're pretty good without her scoring, and if she just plays defense. But when she figures out that when she plays close to the basket and people can't guard her and she rebounds offensively and she's active around the basket, she takes us to a whole different stratosphere. I think that's what she saw at the Stoneleigh tournament.

"She has five or six different schools that potentially like her. She's still trying to find out if she's a three or a four, but I like her to be free. But she really found being around the basket and really found attacking the basket and finishing. I hope this springboards her to who she can be."

Meera, a 5-foot-10-inch forward, has drawn interest from such Division I programs as the University of Hartford, Monmouth University and Central Connecticut State University.

Joel Diaz '14 earned a full scholarship to attend and play football at Bryant University. Click here to read the story.

Joomchi by Jiyoung Chung

Art Exhibit Open to the Public
Through Feb. 3
Binney Art Gallery
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Jiyoung Chung is an artist, painter and freelance writer who lectures and shows her work internationally. She has developed an innovative method for utilizing a traditional Korean method of papermaking called "Joomchi."

This method is the unique way of making textured and painterly imagery handmade paper just by using water. As time goes by, the surface becomes more and more elegant like leather. It can be applied to make self-standing or suspended sculpture, painting, surface design, collage making and drawing.

Ms. Chung has had numerous solo shows in Korea, the U.S., Australia, France, Finland, Romania and the U.K. In 2010, she curated the International Korean/American Joomchi show for the European Patchwork Meeting in Marie Aux Mine, France and later toured in Korea and the U.S.

Most recently, she curated "Traditional & Transformational," an international Joomchi Exhibition at the New Bedford Art Museum in New Bedford. In 2012, she was honored with an Award of Excellence by the American Craft Council/Baltimore show and won the Adrianna Farelli Prize Excellence in Fiber Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.