West Boca High celebrates the Cappies evening Boca High and West Boca High both did well at the South Florida Cappies Gala on Tuesday evening at the Broward Center. The Cappies is an awards program for high school theatre and theatre journalism. The South Florida chapter includes 28 high schools, mostly in Broward and Palm Beach counties. For the biggest awards of the evening, Boca High won the Musical award and Trevor Wayne won Lead Actor for their performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, while West Boca High’s Alexia Assuncao won for Lead Actress in a Musical from their show, Chicago. Alexia Assuncao (front) Other local award winners included:
Kayla Goldfarb, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Lead Critic
“Brothers”, Boca High, Ensemble in a Musical
Lee Alhanti, Marjory Stoneman, Creativity (Shrek)
Bridget Foley, Marjory Stoneman, Comic Actress in a Musical
Adams, Posner, Chapman and Guin, Boca High, Lighting
Kanterman, Morelli, Stricker and Crew, West Boca, Stage Management and Stage Crew
Samuel Cadieux, West Boca, Male Dancer
John Barnitt, Marjory Stoneman, Featured Actor in a Musical
Ryan Lim from West Boca for Male Vocalist
Ryan Lim We previously wrote about the two Boca schools splitting 29 nominations. Schools in the greater Boca area that participate include Boca High, Deerfield Beach High, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High (Parkland), North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek), Saint John Paul II High (on Military Trail near Lynn University), and West Boca High. West Boca High celebrated their evening:
This is the second of a series of articles recognizing teacher of the year award winners in West Boca. Teachers Nicole Scalisi, Deborah Woolsey, and Linda Josaphat Thee videos below are from a recent award ceremony with Rotary and the school district. They are available in higher resolution on the West Boca News YouTube channel. Coral Sunset Teacher of the Year – Deborah Woolsey was named Teacher of the Year at Coral Sunset Elementary School. She works with younger students.
Linda Josaphat was honored as Teacher of the Year for Hammock Pointe Elementary School both for her work with the kids and for her efforts to help other teachers.
Nicole Scalisi was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Whispering Pines Elementary School. Principal Barbara Riemer mentioned Scalisi’s skill in working with diverse students and addressing their learning needs individually.
This is the first of a series of articles recognizing teacher of the year award winners in West Boca. The Palm Beach County School District recently held an award ceremony with the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise to recognize outstanding teachers in Boca Raton schools. The videos are also available in higher resolution on the West Boca News YouTube channel. Lindsay Ackerman-Conway was named Teacher of the Year at Waters Edge Elementary School, recognized in particular for her work with struggling readers.
Rachel Smith was recognized for Sunrise Park Elementary School, also for her work with the “most challenging students.”
Sandpiper Shores Elementary School chose Kristen Stern, who attended the school as a child.
Thanks to the school district for providing the videos, and our compliments for the excellent production quality of the originals.
The West Boca High and Boca High Drama Departments racked up a total of 29 nominations for the South Florida Cappies.
The Cappies, “Critics and Awards Program,” is a program through which high school theatre and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers …
The South Florida chapter includes schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Nominations for West Boca High’s performance of Chicago included:
Hair and Makeup – Cristina Cautero, Amanda Helbling, Victoria Martin, Missy Varela
Costumes – Jewelia Carter, Elizabeth Yarris, and Crew
Sets – Ryan Hartman, Cristina Rodriguez, George Said, and Crew
Stage Management and Crew – Heather Goughan, Mathew Kanterman, Nick Morelli, Kayla Stricker
Male Dance Ensemble
Featured Actress in a Musical – Sammi Frankenbush
Female Dancer – Carolyn Castillo
Male Dance – Sam Cadieux
Male Vocalist – Ryan Lim
Comedic Actor – Matthew Madden
Supporting Actress – Hillary Corniel
Lead Actress – Alexia Assuncao
Best Song – Both Reach For The Gun
Best Musical
The troupe is also coming off an outstanding performance at the state Thespian Festival last month. Boca High also did well with 15 nominations for their performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Marketing – Matez and Crew
Special Effects – Stewart, Ballarte, Piccin and Crew
Sound – Kachur, Lubin, Benedict
Props
Lighting – Adams, Posner, Chapman and Guin
Costumes – Hunsucker, Narino, Schmidt and Crew
Stage Management – Hunsucker and Crew
Ensemble in a Musical – Brothers
Featured Actor – Matthew Moore
Female Dancer – Allegra Mannarino
Female Vocalist – Channing Ramsey
Supporting Actor – Alec Taylor
Lead Actor – Trevor Wayne
Song – Those Canaan Days
Best Musical
Seniors from the Boca High production Both schools are in the running for Best Musical, along with South Plantation High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and NSU University School, all in Broward. To see the full slate, click – 2016 South Florida Cappies Nominations. In 2015 Boca High won 5 Cappies for The Drowsy Chaperone and West Boca High won 3 for The Addams Family. West Boca High won Best Musical in 2014 with Young Frankenstein.
Update: The time of the service has been changed to 11 am. This afternoon we learned that Diane Donney, a teacher in the ESE (Exceptional Student Education) department at West Boca High, passed away. It appears to have occurred suddenly, though we do not have details as to how she passed. We will update if and when we learn more about what happened. We reached out to the school and school district and received this early response from Principal Sommer:
It is with great sadness and regret to inform you that one of our truly beloved teachers Ms. Donney, recently passed away. There will be a service at St. John’s Church in Boca Raton (on Yamato Road) this Saturday at 10am 11 am. Grief counselors will be in the Guidance office first thing in the morning for those that need additional support. More details will follow as they are received, and please do not hesitate to contact me with questions.
Her Facebook page is lighting up with posts from fellow teachers, former students, friends and family. From Candi Chuburu:
My heart breaks from hearing of the passing of one of the greatest teachers I have ever had, Diane Lamperti Donney. She made the world so much brighter and changed every student’s life she came in contact with. Thank you for believing in us and for making such a positive impact on the world. We will continue to Pay It Forward and make you proud! You will be truly missed – Rest in Peace Mrs. Donney heart emoticon
Anthony Brignola wrote:
You are loved and missed by all. Thank you for asking me to speak to your senior class. You were such an amazing person. The world would be a better place if it was filled with people like you. Watch over me and please keep supporting me like you have been for all these years
From Raegan Lafferty:
Heaven truly just gained an angel, so saddened by the news of the passing of Mrs. Donney by far the kindest hearted woman I’ve ever met and who was always making the world a better place by paying it forward no matter what, rest in peace, love you
Zachary Richman:
My heart is in pieces right now…I can’t put into words how much Diane Lamperti Donney meant to me and every student she came in contact with at West Boca High. Taken from us way to soon, my heart goes out to her loving family and children. I love you Mrs. Donney! I know you’re up there looking down on us knowing we will keep paying it forward for you and making you proud!
Brianne Mielke:
I can’t believe what I just found out. One of my favorite teachers from West Boca has passed away.?? My heart breaks to hear this news. She was always such a kind teacher and I love how she stayed in contact after I graduated. She even noted how I inspired her to start living a healthier life and it encouraged me so. I am sending prayers to Mrs. Donney’s friends and family for comfort and peace during this time. ❤ She will be missed dearly
