FIRST UP on GMW is an occasional column that highlights shorter announcements or updates, and helps you get a quick start to the Wilton news of the day. Today’s School edition highlights items from about talented Wilton kids celebrating some successes. Have a news tip, item or something you know people are chatting about? Email us at editor@goodmorningwilton.com.
Conservatory of Dance Takes Highest Score at Dynamic Performance Challenge
For the second consecutive year, Conservatory of Dance (COD) achieved the highest overall score at the prestigious Dynamic Performance Challenge in Manchester, CT, held the weekend of March 14-16. Competing against over 400 entrants, Wilton’s talented dancers under the direction of Christine Titus delivered a show-stopping performance that secured their place at the top once again.
The competition’s standout moment was the combined effort of COD’s four teams (ages 10-18) performing their electrifying production number, “The Greatest Showman.” Choreographed by Brianne Clancy and Tracey Bonafide, the dancers captivated the judges and audience alike with their extraordinary technique, dynamic staging, intricate prop work and stunning synchronization. The group’s fresh and innovative choreography, creative costuming and commitment to storytelling were all contributing factors to the win.
“This back-to-back victory is a testament to the dedication, passion and teamwork of our dancers, coaches, and support staff,” Titus said. “We couldn’t be prouder of this incredible achievement.”
Conservatory of Dance takes the stage once again at its next big competition on Apr. 11-12 at the Palace Theater in Stamford.
WHS Science Olympiad Club Finishes Third at State Tournament
Wilton High School competed in the Connecticut Science Olympiad Tournament at UConn on Saturday, Mar. 22, where the team won third place out of 27 schools in attendance. Science Olympiad is a competition in which teams of 15 students work in pairs to take part in 23 different events that span all field of science. Some events are strictly knowledge tests; others are build events in which competitors test a device they’ve built and modified for a specific engineering purpose; others involve performing a hands-on challenge or chemistry lab to solve a set of questions.
Wilton sent two teams, with its A team finishing behind only South Windsor High School and Hopkins School. In all, 43 teams competed.
Wilton High School chemistry teacher and club supervisor Stephen Sobolewski said the team was thrilled to do so well, especially considering it is such a new team after restarting just three years ago. He pointed to progress made from 2023 when the team finished 12th, to 2024 when Wilton placed eighth, to third this year.
Sobolewski credited the leadership of the club’s officers, Arushi Patel, Kinga Sigmond, Aiden Sharp and Caleb Sharp for giving members the guidance and resources to prepare for their events. He also praised all the club members for giving up so much time to study and practice.
In addition to a third place overall finish, Wilton students earned many individual medals for finishing in the top four in any individual event.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Caleb Sharp and Anshika Saagi (1st place)
- Codebusters: Sigmond, Abbie Fang and Varsha Arun (1st place)
- Optics: Annabelle Zheng and Arun (1st place)
- Microbe Mission: Caleb Sharp and Saagi (1st place)
- Chemistry Lab: Arushi Patel and Keya Patel (A team) (2nd place)
- Chemistry Lab: Logan Santisi and Ava Migliaccio (B team) (3rd place)
- Entomology: Laura Kowal and Caleb Sharp (3rd place)
- Forensics: Sigmond and Caleb Sharp (3rd place)
- Fossils: Arden Hamilton and Arushi Patel (3rd place)
- Astronomy: Sigmond and Hamilton (4th place)
- Materials Science: Zheng and Ishaan Bherwani (4th place)
WHS Boys Swim & Dive Finishes Second at Class M State Championships
The Wilton High School boys swim and dive team recently competed at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class M Championships, finishing second out of 17 teams across the state. For the fifth year in a row Pomperaug placed first with 819.5 points, Wilton was second with 608 and Brookfield finished third with 503 points. Wilton’s Hirsh Iyer was an individual event winner in the 100 M Backstroke.
The Warriors fielded a team of 15 swimmers for the trials meet and all swam well enough to make it back to compete at finals. The 200 Freestyle Relay set a Wilton school record that had stood since 1997.
Below is a list of events, swimmers and their finishes:
- 200 Medley Relay: A.J. Yee, Sam Jacobson, Lucas Fontana and Eric Ding (4th)
- 200 Freestyle: Iyer (2nd), Andrew Mims (8th), Ozzy Andrews (10th) and Ethan Lam (14th)
- 200 Individual Medley: Fontana (4th), Yee (7th), Ding (10th) and Gregory Pinchbeck (12th)
- 50 Freestyle: Jake Mercer (5th) and Jacobson (23rd)
- 100 Butterfly: Fontana (3rd), Pinchbeck (17th) and Adam Mims (18th)
- 100 Freestyle: Mercer (5th), Andrew Mims (7th) and Ding (14th)
- 500 Freestyle: Lam (5th), Daniel Hickey (17th) and Danny Babashak (18th)
- 200 Freestyle Relay: Andrew Mims, Iyer, Fontana and Mercer (2nd and WHS Record)
- 100 Backstroke: Iyer (1st), Andrews (2nd), Yee (8th) and Alex Nguyen (19th)
- 100 Breaststroke: Jacobson (6th), Ethan Elias (10th) and Harry Zhou (21st)
- 400 Freestyle Relay: Andrew Mims, Mercer, Andrews and Iyer (3rd)
Based on their place and time, the following team members will compete at the final meet of the year, the CT State Open, at Yale University on Saturday, Mar. 22.
- 200 Medley Relay: Yee, Jacobson, Fontana and Ding
- 200 Freestyle: Iyer
- 200 Individual Medley: Fontana and Yee
- 50 Freestyle: Mercer
- 100 Butterfly: Fontana
- 100 Freestyle: Mercer
- 200 Freestyle Relay: Andrew Mims, Iyer, Fontana and Mercer
- 100 Backstroke: Iyer, Andrews and Yee
- 400 Freestyle Relay: Andrew Mims, Mercer, Andrews and Iyer
Congratulations to FCIAC ‘Coach of the Year’ Eric Holden for a strong showing by the WHS team at the Connecticut Class M Championships.
Two Wilton HS Students Launch Fishing Clinic to Inspire and Educate Teens at Trackside Teen Center
Inspired by their passion for the outdoors and a desire to share their deep knowledge of fishing, Wilton High School sophomores Colby Fowler and Thomas Marriott are leading a fishing clinic to teach fellow teens the basics of fishing, conservation and outdoor recreation.
This Spring Fishing Clinic at Trackside, open to grades 6 and older, begins Wednesday, Apr. 9, and will offer weekly practical sessions on fishing techniques, equipment basics, water safety and responsible angling practices. These hands-on, highly interactive sessions will allow teens the opportunity to practice casting, knot-tying and fish identification while heading to local fishing spots for real-world experience. The clinic is open to all skill levels, from beginners to those looking to refine their skills.
“Our goal is to expose teens to the finishing opportunities all around them while having fun and also educating them about waterways.” Fowler said. “We want to teach kids how to be respectful when interacting with nature and we hope to preserve the hobby of fishing in Wilton for many generations to come.”
Fowler is an avid fresh- and saltwater angler with over 13 years of experience. He placed 5th in the 2024 World’s Greatest Bluefish Tournament for the under 18 category and participated in the 2024 NE Bassin kayak trail angler tournament. Fowler has experience on many bodies of water.
Marriott is a life-long angler in both fresh- and saltwater. He has participated in many tournaments, some of which include the World’s Greatest Bluefish Tournament, and NEBassin kayak bass fishing league. Marriott had the biggest fish in multiple events and has had many high leaderboard finishes.
“This clinic is a ‘reely’ exciting addition to our programming” Trackside’s Executive Director Lori Fields said. “It not only teaches valuable skills but also fosters a sense of community and environmental responsibility. It represents everything we stand for: teens leading teens, while providing fun, enriching experiences that highlight how our actions affect the world around us. We hope this club becomes a long-term offering at Trackside.”
Fields said only a few spots remain. To register or to see the full line up of spring programs, visit the Trackside website.