WalpoleSports.org

From the WHSTheRebellion.com website:

Erin Nee and Jeff Meaney 

Class of 2011

Hosting a super bowl party and don’t know what to do?  We’re here to help! Parties can be stressful but with the right combination of people and food your night is sure to be a success.  No matter which team you route for there are a few factors that will decide whether your party will be a blast or a snooze.

Head down to your local Stop and Shop because it is necessary to pick up some munchies for the festivities.  Make a list before hand because the store is sure to be packed with rushing sports fans.  Be sure to include chili fixings, chips, dip, chicken wings, nacho chips, nuts, pretzels, kilbasa, pigs in a blanket, football cake, and cookies. Or you could take the easy route and hit up Jalapenos for some one of a kind catering.  Stay away from marinera sauce because you don’t want any splattering during dipping on your new white leather lazy boy.  After Stop and Shop drive over to Best Buy and pick up a wide screen TV (high definition) because no one wants to watch a football game without being able to see Peyton Manning’s sweat drip down his chiseled chin.  

Now that your shopping is done your house needs to be up to par.  Rearrange your couches to provide ample seating.  Be sure to reserve a seat for yourself next to some real football fans because you do not want to be answering what a touchdown is during the big game.  Also finding a responsible person to be in charge of the clicker is key because accidentally changing to Desperate Housewives right before Drew Brees tosses a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey is inexcusable.  

The invite list must be filled with dedicated fans. You may want to chose a group of fans routing for the same team unless you would like controversy at your party.  Remind everyone to bring their lucky jerseys and socks as to not jinx your team.  

When the time comes for the party to start, lay out the appetizers and put the pre-game show on with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Michael Strahan.  When guests arrive, have them write down their bets on the winner, the score, and the leading rusher.  

Now you’re ready to sit down relax and cheer on your favorite team.  Enjoy! Go Saints.

Read “How to Throw a Superbowl Party” on the whstherebellion.com website

From the WHSTheRebellion.com website:

Matt Brown – nicknamed “Brownie” – was a hockey player for the Norwood Mustang’s and on January 23 during a game against Weymouth his hockey career took a turn for the worse. In what Coach Bill Clifford describes as a “freak accident” sophomore Brownie was behind the net and as he went for the puck a number of players bumped into him. Once he lost his balance, he hit his head on the plexiglass. Brownie was transported by ambulance to South Shore Hospital with no feeling in his legs and was later moved to Children’s Hospital where it was later decided that he suffered from a broken neck.

In a heartwarming flood of support Facebook has been bombarded with groups dedicated to prayers for Matt and his family. The most popular of these groups  “Pray For Matt Brown # 3” (with a staggering 21,509 fans and counting) consists of comments of support and love and daily progress reports on Brownie’s condition by his mother and other family members. In addition to this group, Matt’s younger sister Kelley set up the Facebook event – “Wear Blue For Brownie.” The event was scheduled for January 26 and 27 – the set dates for Brownie’s surgery – and kids from schools such as Norwood High, Walpole High, Xaverian, Noble’s Country Day as well as many adults participated. On January 26, students and adults alike were asked to do just as the title said – wear blue for Brownie, while on January 27,  Kelley inboxed all event members to write a # 3 on his or her hand to show support for her brother.

Matt’s very own Facebook page is full of messages of support and well-wishes from all his very concerned friends, making it evident that Matt is loved by everyone. The Walpole Express Team all attended Matt’s prayer service at St. Catherine’s Church on Tuesday January 26 alongside hundreds of Matt’s friends and family.   In addition, the Weymouth Wildcat’s hockey team have all but the number 3 on the sides of their helmets to show their continued support.

On Wednesday January 27 Matt went into surgery to stabilize his neck and on his Facebook support page Matt’s mother reported “that he came through great . . . Allowing Matt to start his long rehabilitation journey.” However, that same night the Norwood High School hockey team faced another serious injury to a teammate. In a game against Milton, senior defenseman Chris O’Brien crashed head-first into the boards and laid motionless on the ice when an emergency crew rushed onto the ice and transported him to Children’s Hospital – the same hospital where teammate Matt is being treated. O’Brien suffered a serious concussion and was hospitalized for six days and was later sent home on February 2nd.  O’Brien is reported to be doing well and with Brownie out of surgery he is now on the road to recovery.

Both Matt Brown and Chris O’Brien are supported by a community that extends outside of Norwood.  This local tragedy renewed a sense of community by reminding everyone that support and love are not just more important than sports rivalries, they are the most vital medicines in the road to recovery.

Read “Norfolk County “Wears Blue For Brownie”” on the whstherebellion.com website

From the WHSTheRebellion.com website:

Student Council members Torie O'Neil and Michaela Brady attend the Penny Wars station.

Dilapidation, destruction, and disarray encompass the lives of the Haitian people. Looking around what was once the city of Port-au-Prince, one would see piles and piles of debris and corpses. Even though the devastation that the earthquakes caused only hit Haiti, the sorrow and hopelessness reverberated all around the world. Hundreds of relief programs sprang up over night to lend help in the form of rescue teams, monetary donations, food, and clothing.  Even at Walpole High School, 1640 miles away, the community has come together to raise money for the Haitian people.

High school gym teacher Liane Jalette, with the help of the school administration and the student council, has organized a ‘Penny Wars’ fundraiser from January 26 to February 9. In this productive fundraiser, students and faculty members attempt to have the container with the least amount of money. During all four lunches there is a container for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and faculty. The idea is to place any amount of money into the other containers. The result of this game is the raising of hundreds of dollars to be donated to the American Red Cross Association for the Haiti relief fund. In addition to the amount of money Walpole High raises, Jalette has agreed to meet with the Walpole Cooperative Bank to see if they will match the amount that we make. With the help of the bank, our community has the potential to really make a difference with helping Haiti. While only a few more days remain, the administration encourages students to continue sending in donations.

On a larger scale, many religious groups and relief organizations worked to aid the many victims all around Haiti. American leaders in particular encouraged its citizens to play small roles in donating to these programs. One of the largest organizations is the American Red Cross Association. This program has raised a tremendous amount of money towards Haiti. In addition to their regular efforts to collect donations, this association has utilized the modern-day technology of texting to further their labors. The idea behind texting donations is that one can text the word ‘Haiti’ to 90999 which is backed up by the United States Department. By doing this, $10 is added to your bill which goes directly to the American Red Cross Association for the Haiti relief funds. Through this tactic alone, the Red Cross has raised over $5,000,000. Combined with the hundreds of other programs, the world is slowly reviving the Haitian people.

Although the sight of destruction and despair pierces the eyes of many Americans, the moral obligation to assist the Haitian victims has compelled the American people. The grief and misery flowing from the Haiti earthquakes has pulled people together in joint efforts to help a common cause.

Read “Community Comes Together for Haiti Fundraiser” on the whstherebellion.com website

From the WHSTheRebellion.com website:

Walpole High School’s Green Team is exploring a new venture.  The group has decided to take part in the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Drive.  This idea was a collaborative effort that was chosen by the team from a list of other projects.  It was chosen because it was for a good cause:  recycled shoes collected from the drive are made into sport surfaces for people of all ages to play on.  This project is not only good for the environment, which is obviously what the Green Team is concerned with, but it is also helping to improve people’s lives through sports.  It should give everyone, even less advantaged people, the chance to take part in sports no matter their economic circumstances.

This project was brought to the Green Team’s attention by their mentor, Special Education teacher Mrs. Karen Baumgartner.  A participant of the Green Team, senior Jami Woodworth, explained that Baumgartner “usually surfs the Internet for projects.  Sometimes we (the students) think up a general theme and pick projects specifically.”  The group loved this idea so much that they decided to go along with it.  The fact that Baumgartner found this idea online shows that anyone can do good for the world easily if they use the resources around them.  It is also easy for high school students to participate in, since most people have old sneakers that they do not use or that do not fit them anymore.

Many students are excited about the sneaker drive.  There are bins outside the nurse’s office in the lobby, and they are already very full.  The Green Team is always looking for more donations, however, so students should remember to bring in their old sneakers from now until February 11, when the sneaker drive ends.   Not only will students be getting rid of old sneakers and creating less clutter in their closets, but students will also be helping the less fortunate and the environment.  What could be better than that?

Read “Green Team Needs Your Shoes” on the whstherebellion.com website

From the WHSTheRebellion.com website:

By Erin Nee

Class of 2011

On Tuesday January 26, the varsity boys Basketball team suffered a close loss to Natick; 66-75. Despite Junior Mike Tempesta’s eighteen points- leading all Walpole scorers- the team could not stop Natick’s strong offense. 

Seniors Tariq Tate, Anthony Conway with juniors Mike Tempesta, Tim Gallivan; and Sophomore Tom Donnelen started off the game strong for Walpole.  The Rebels took the lead with a quick five point run in the first quarter and continued to stay ahead finishing the quarter with a three point lead.  Natick was strong on the three point line; however, Walpole stayed in the game due to their ability to score from the foul line.  At half time Natick had taken the lead; 32-35.

Walpole started to fall behind in the second half- a trend that continued for the rest of the game.  Although Walpole gave Natick an eleven point lead in the third quarter they continued to fight and closed the gap quickly in the fourth. Each team committed a large amount of fouls and Walpole used these shots to their advantage; although, their consistency on the foul line did not provide Walpole with a substantial lead and the teams were only separated by a few points.  Freshman Johnny Adams drew a technical from Natick, but was unsuccessful in closing Natick’s two point lead.  With twenty seconds left in the game Gallivan was fouled on the floor and was given a one-and-one foul shot situation.   Gallivan forced a tie effortlessly sinking both of his foul shots.   

With the score resting at 60-60 Walpole forced Natick into overtime.  With four minutes on the clock Walpole would have to not only continue to make their shots, but also stop the equally strong Natick offense. In the first two minutes it was clear that Walpole was falling behind, but the win was not out of reach. Unfortunately, the Rebels could not keep up with Natick’s increasing score and gave Natick a large lead that left Walpole nine points behind giving Natick the win; 66-75.  The Rebels continue to enter each game strong but cannot finish with a win, but with a young team Walpole seems to have a promising line up for next season.

Read “Boys Basketball fails to finish against Natick” on the whstherebellion.com website