News

Middle School student kicks off soccer non-profit

Wilbraham & Monson Academy student and longtime soccer player Gianna Mitchell ’17 has been kicking around the idea of giving back to the sport she loves for some time now. When she heard WMA’s Chris Sparks had a connection with Haiti and learned about the country’s need for proper soccer equipment, she ran with the ball.

Many children in Haiti grow up playing soccer but often do not have the proper equipment. They even play barefoot. “I connected with a Haitian soccer coach through email and he said anything would help,” Gianna explained. “Cleats, shin guards, uniforms and especially soccer balls are needed.”

Gianna’s family is assisting in getting her non-profit, Two-Six for Kicks, off the ground. The state has approved her non-profit status and now they are waiting for Federal approval. Also, a logo and website are in the works.

“I have a collection bin at home and we’re working on getting bins at some local stores,” she said. Currently there are two collection bins on the WMA campus: one in Rich Hall and one in the Athletic Center. Over the summer, the public will be able to make donations using the bin in Rich Hall. 

Once the collection bins are full, the equipment will be packaged up and sent to Haiti.  To help subsidize the cost of shipping, which is about $180 per shipment, Gianna is working as a soccer referee. 

Being a part of this entrepreneurial-thinking community and seeing first-hand the commitment the Academy has to service, Gianna was inspired. “I’ve participated in some school-sponsored community service events, like going to the soup kitchen, but I just felt like I wanted to do something personally,” Gianna explained. “I felt the need to make my mark.”

Why “Two-Six” for Kicks? “Two-Six comes from my jersey number 26,” Gianna explained. “That was my dad’s number in college and I was born on the 26th. My number has always been 26 for as long as I can remember! 

“I share the love for soccer with them [people of Haiti] so much and I wouldn’t want someone to have to risk getting injured in order to play because they don’t have shin guards and cleats,” Gianna expressed. “We have so much of it here, it just makes sense to help them.”

Boys' Lax falls in New England semifinal

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys’ Lacrosse team had its turnaround season come to an end Monday, losing at The Gunnery 12-9 in a WNESSLA semifinal.

The Titans, who went 1-13 in 2012, finished 9-6. Five of the team’s six losses came by three goals or less.

“The season was great,” WMA’s Drew Mordasky ’13 said. “I loved coming out to practice every day with these guys. There isn’t another group of guys I would have wanted spend my senior season with. I think we did excellent on the season. I know the guys who are staying here will work hard next year.”

WMA jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Gunnery. The game was tied early in the second quarter when things started to go against the Titans. Gunnery scored six unanswered goals and held a 9-3 lead in the third quarter. WMA never got closer than three the rest of the way.

“It started out great,” WMA’s Brendan Butcher ’13 said. “We came out hot; firing. We just kind of lost it there in the middle. Unfortunately we didn’t get done what we had to get done. We picked it back up in the fourth quarter. We had a fantastic effort all game. It wasn’t from lack of effort.”

John Tierney ’15 finished with four goals and four assists for the Titans. Devin Salmon ’14 scored twice, and Spencer Marocchini ’16 and Casey Keeley ’14 also scored. Drew, Casey and Cormac Garvey ’13 had assists. Goalie Colby Hamway ’15 turned away 16 shots.

Click here to see video highlights and interviews. 

Sarah Goolishian '13 receives local rotary scholarship

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Sarah Goolishian ’13 received a scholarship from the Wilbraham-Hampden Rotary Club at a ceremony at the Country Club of Wilbraham last week.

Sarah was selected as the recipient of the Mark E. Koziol Award, which goes to a local high school student who displays a strong performance in the visual arts and photography.

Sarah certainly fit the criteria for the scholarship. Along with her class work from AP Studio Art, she submitted her extensive portfolio from her 2012 trip to Tanzania with National Geographic.

“I’m very thankful the Rotary Club in Wilbraham and Hampden selected me for the Mark E. Koziol Award,” Sarah said. “It will definitely help with buying books and other school expenses. Everything counts.”

Sarah’s volunteer work at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford also played a role in her being picked for the scholarship. Sarah, whose brother attends the school, regularly volunteered 3-4 hours on Wednesdays.

“The students there have a hard time with conversation and communication skills,” she said. “Even me showing up, they think that’s interesting. They’re learning about someone outside of their school. For them it’s hard to picture bigger scenarios. They have a hard time thinking outside of their classroom. Most of them board there.”

Following graduation at WMA, Sarah will attend Tulane University in New Orleans. She said she felt comfortable on the campus and with the people. She was also drawn to the school’s broad yet flexible selection of studies.

“They have a great archeology and anthropology department, and they’re integrated with other departments,” she said. “You can make your own kind of major.”

Boys' Lax qualifies for playoffs

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys' Lacrosse team completed its march toward the playoffs Wednesdsy, beating Kingswood Oxford 14-7 at home to clinch a berth in the WNESSLA Tournament.

After going 1-13 last season, the Titans are 9-4. WMA plays at Gunnery in its regular season finale Saturday. The Academy will also play at Gunnery in the tournament, which is set for Monday at 4:30. If the Titans win they will play in the championship Wednesday.

Eight players scored and every member of the team played against Kingswood.

Click here to see a video interview with Coach Roland, Devin Salmon '14 and John Tierney '15.

Boys' Volleyball beats Phillips Andover

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys' Volleyball team won its regular season finale Wednesday, beating Phillips Andover at home 3-1.

WMA won in four sets: 25-20, 25-14, 21-25 and 25-22. The Titans trailed in the fourth set 19-18 before WMA took control behind the play of Randolf Thurman '14. The match concluded on a big spike from Goodluck Okonoboh '14.

The Titans will finish its season Saturday at the Founding Four Tournament at NMH.

Click here to see a video with Coach Barone, Marcel Pettway '15 and Kevin Perez '13.

Softball beats Miss Hall's to stay in playoff chase

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Softball team beat host Miss Hall's 15-3 in a make-up game on Monday.

The victory pushed the Titans' record to 5-4 in the league and kept their playoff hopes firmly alive. If WMA wins at Cheshire Academy Wednesday, the team will qualify for the postseason.

Click here to see a video with Coach Kindblom, Alyssa Natario '13 and Kelsey Gomes '13.

A Global Discussion with Kasper Moghaddam '86

WMAction had a global dialogue with Kasper Moghaddam '86 across over 6,000 miles of distance.

Commander Kasper Moghaddam '86 is a Staff Director for the intelligence directive for the U.S. Naval Forces in Japan. He maintains and encourages a robust relationship between the United States and Japan.

Kasper talked to WMAction about global responsibility, cultural differences and the importance of passion in our lives. The students were encouraged to ask questions, the discussion that resulted was inspired.

Kasper told the students that "the best thing I can tell you is to go with your gut. If it feels good do it." We hope to continue an active partnership with Kasper and other alumni who are willing to share their stories with students eager to listen.

Blocks Rock! Launches iPhone & iPad Application

Blocks Rock! for the iPhone and iPad is now available for download on iTunes. The game continues to evolve with new technology and innovative students.

Blocks Rock! was invented by WMA Middle School students. Upper School students developed the game's marketing and production as part of their Entrepreneurship class. Finally, through the financial backing of a WMA alumnus, the game was taken to the next level for wider distribution and mobile app development.

Features of Blocks Rock! include:

• Educate and entertain with three levels of difficulty: multiplayer, solo and free play
• Choose from a variety of backgrounds with upgrades available for purchase
• Play with friends locally or from anywhere around the world
• Apply your imagination and create your own design in the free play mode

WMA Blocks Rock! Days

As part of the launch, WMA will host a Blocks Rock! tournament May 16 and 17.

Thursday, May 16

L1 10:20-11:25 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

L2 11:30-12:35 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

L3 12:40-1:45 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

Friday, May 17

A 8:50 – 9:35 • Skye Entrepreneurship class visit

B 10:05-10:50 • Skye Entrepreneurship class visit

L1 10:55-11:40 • Skye Honors Stocks class visit

C 1:25 – 2:10 • Blocks Rock Table-Top Tournament for Gr. 8D in Spa

D 2:15 – 3:00 • Blocks Rock Table-Top Tournament for Gr. 8C in Spa

Footage and photos from the tournament will be used on the official Blocks Rock! website and on social media. Ready to rock?

Learn more about Blocks Rock! online:

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