West Boca High Teacher Shot and Killed – Christo Maccius

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Multiple sources and our own research tell us that the shooting victim from this morning was Christo Maccius (25), a West Boca High graduate. Three sources told us that he worked at the school, with one providing more detail:

He was a substitute and shadow for children with special needs.

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The shooting happened in or near the Sandalfoot Square plaza and O’Connor’s Pub. The Palm Beach Post has ongoing updates on the story, including resident concerns about high crime and a report that the shooter had a long-standing grudge against Maccius.
Last year we reported on another shooting at or near the same location.

All photos are from Facebook messages, comments, or pages.

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From what we can see on Facebook and other sources Maccius had many friends in the community, and will be missed.
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We reached out to both PBSO and the school for more information but so far have not received any response. As of this moment we believe the shooter has not been caught. We do not have any identity yet either.
Warning: The photo below may be disturbing to some readers. Do not scroll down if you are sensitive to such things.
And please note that many of the negative comments posted on this article (below) appear to be “trolling.” Some have been deleted and/or blocked from future comments.









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West Boca Rocks the Cappies

West Boca High celebrates the Cappies evening
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.
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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)
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
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:

Let's Hear it for Footloose!

footloose1The Marquee Theater Company closed out their 2015-16 season yesterday with Footloose, the Musical. We really enjoyed the show. The musical, based on the movie, featured hit songs such as “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” and “I’m Free/Heaven Help Me.” There were also new tunes including standouts  “I Can’t Stand Still” and “Somebody’s Eyes.”
Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy who moves with his mother to the small town of Bomont. They are forced to leave Chicago after his Dad leaves them and move in with his Aunt and Uncle. Ren has a hard time adjusting especially when he finds out Reverend Shaw has convinced the town to outlaw dancing. Ariel, the Reverend’s daughter, is dealing with her own family tragedy. She and Willard help Ren in his attempts to change the law so the high school kids can have a school dance.
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Ariel played by Emily Tarallo and Ren played by James Giordano had great chemistry, particularly on their number “Almost Paradise.” We especially enjoyed Emily’s voice on “Holding Our for a Hero” and look forward to hearing her in future productions. The entire cast and crew, including 5 students from West Boca High’s Drama Department, did a great job. The dance numbers were a lot of fun and the music was upbeat.
The Marquee Theater Company has announced their 2016-17 season: Fiddler on the Roof (September 30-October 9), Dreamgirls (January 21-29) and Legally Blonde (May 6-14). To find out more about the Company, go to marqueetheatercompany.com.

West Boca High and Boca High Musicals Split 29 "Cappies" Nominations

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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

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    • Featured Actress in a Musical – Sammi Frankenbush
    • Female Dancer – Carolyn Castillo

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  • 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.
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Boca High also did well with 15 nominations for their performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
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  • 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
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.

West Boca High Mourns Teacher's Passing

Update: The time of the service has been changed to 11 am.
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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

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‎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

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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

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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

Donney was supportive of her students. In 2010 she nominated a student for a Character Counts recognition.