A night of honoring, recognizing and celebrating the WHS senior student-athletes for all their accomplishments over the last four years. Walking into the 57th Annual Booster Scholarship Banquet, the seniors were met with a flood of emotions as the Blue Devils reflected on their careers. With families, friends and boosters crowded into the venue in support of the athletes, everyone had the opportunity to watch their peers receive countless awards and scholarship opportunities.
The event started with an introductory speech from Booster John McDevitt, followed by a speech from Westfield’s athletic director Sandy Mamary and WHS principal Mary Asfendis.
After this introduction, the Booster’s moved on to honoring the sports teams that won state and group championships: boys swimming, girls swimming, boys winter track, girls track and boys cross country. Each individual on the team received a personally-designed plaque with their name, a picture of their team and a recognition of being 2023-24 state champions. Not long after, each senior at the event was called up to receive a plaque for their dedication to WHS athletics which included their name, their sport and a picture.
With a quick break for dinner, Booster Sean McDonald announced the winners of The Booster’s Scholarships. The Boosters offer 42 total awards to senior athletes. Each award includes a plaque and a scholarship to help the athlete with costs in their future endeavors. These scholarships are not based on financial-need but rather the athletes performance and contributions to Westfield athletics during their time as Blue Devil.
Lucy Mineo, a girls lacrosse captain for Westfield, won the Bristol Award. “I’m honored to win this award. It means a lot to me to have been able to be in a room with my fellow student athletes and be acknowledged for my hard work.”
Another award winner, senior swimmer Charlie Jeckell, received the Bruce Johnson Memorial Award. “It was good to see everyone recognized the way they were…It was definitely an honor. It was the first year that the award was available, and it was in memoriam of an old swim coach that passed away, and winning that in his name was definitely an honor.”
The ceremony ended with the Presidential Scholarship, the most prestigious award. It was given to senior Clare Logan, an exemplary swimmer for WHS who has broken countless school records, state records and even was named the best swimmer in the state. This June, Logan will be competing in the Olympic Trials in the 100 meter backstroke. “Winning this award meant a lot to me. It feels great to have my hard work and accomplishments be noticed by the town, and I am extremely grateful for the scholarship that the boosters provided,” said Logan.
As The Boosters add on more scholarships each year, the student-athletes can’t help but be grateful for everything the association has done for them during their high school years.
Mineo added, “I think the boosters ran the ceremony very well and made it a great experience for everyone involved in the event. It really was incredible to watch everyone cheer and be rewarded for their amazing performances in their sports. The boosters have such a strong dedication for the Blue Devil community, and it was great to be a part of it [last] night.”
With the event and past sports seasons proving to be a success, WHS student-athletes graduating in the class of 2024 will end their high school career with this saying in the back of their mind, “Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.”
