Whiz Kids

Tiffany Lopinsky is This Week's Whiz Kid

The 18-year-old Stoneham High School student received early acceptance into Harvard University and will be attending the Ivy League school this fall.

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week Key to Awesomeness: Lopinsky was at a friend’s house working on a lab for her physics class when she received an email from Harvard that came to her phone with the subject line: “Your Application to Harvard University.” Lopinsky was quite nervous and turned to her friend and asked if she should open the link. “I read the first three words that said ‘I am delighted…’ and I just screamed and made my friend read over the email to make sure I actually got in,” Lopinsky said. “Then I called all of my family and friends and I emailed all of the teachers that I promised I would let know if I was accepted as soon as I found out. "For a few weeks after I was accepted, the whole thing felt so surreal. I was in …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Kristin Drew

10:33 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Congratulations Tiffany! What an achievement!   more ›

Sports Roundup: A Mixed Week for Baseball, Softball Teams

The Stoneham High School softball team picked up a pair of wins this week, while the baseball team lost three.

With April vacation in full swing, Stoneham High School athletes had a chance for some early morning competition. Despite games being postponed due to rainy conditions, the baseball and softball teams still had a very busy week. The sofball team went 2-1 with wins over Watertown and Melrose and a loss to Burlington.  After a 15-3 win over Watertown on April 18, the Spartans dropped a 14-9 decision to Burlington two days later. On Satuday, the Spartans saw themselves trailing Melrose, 9-6, in the top of the seventh at Pine Banks Park in Melrose. After Ariana Tuccelli scored the tying run in a three-run seventh, she came around to score the winning run in the eighth for the win.  Stoneham is currently 3-3 overall and 3-2 in Middlesex League …

• Photos (1)

Athletic Field Use, Budget Tackled By School Committee

While discussion of potentially removing the automotive program dominated the agenda at the recent Stoneham School Committee meeting, there were other topics tackled as well.

Discussion on the automotive program brought out an unusually large crowd at the Stoneham School Committee's meeting on April 14, but several other topics were also tackled by the committee during the session. Two Scholarship Announcements Stoneham High School received a $2,500 scholarship in the memory of Stoneham native Dorothea Routhier, who died earlier this year, and a $1,000 scholarship in memory of 1960 Stoneham High School graduate Elaine Moore, who passed away shortly after she celebrated her 50th High School graduation reunion. School Committee member Marie Christie, also a 1960 SHS graduate, remembered Moore as one of the main forces keeping that graduating class together, citing her gregarious nature and hometown pride in …

• Photos (2)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 18

Looking for things to do in the Stoneham area? Check out our latest "Patch Facts" column for ideas.

1. Boston Marathon: Want to track the dozen Stoneham runners participating in the Boston Marathon? Visit the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon website. 2. Post an ad: Need to hire someone or sell items lingering in the closet? Post a free classified ad on Stoneham Patch! 3. Did you just get married? Let the community know by posting an announcement. 4. Let's hit the field: The Stoneham High School baseball and softball teams host Watertown High at 10 a.m. 5. Preview: Check out the latest Stoneham Fire Department fire log on Tuesday. For more activities, visit our events calendar.

• Photos (1)

Track Roundup: A Big Week for Stoneham Girls

The Stoneham High School girls' track team picked up three wins this week, beating Watertown on Monday followed by victories over Belmont and Woburn in a tri-meet on Tuesday.

The Stoneham High School girls' track team had a big week this week, beating Watertown on Monday followed by wins over Belmont and Woburn in a tri-meet on Tuesday.  In the Spartans' 85-51 win over Watertown, Taylor Havican and Grace Macura each picked up a pair of wins. Havican took first in the 400 hurdles and the 800, while Macura won the triple jump and the 100. Mariana Lacolla took first in the long jump, Alison Brennan won the shot-put, Robyn Pacini won the javelin and Christine Manfra won the 200.  Stoneham followed that win up with a 95-41 victory over Belmont and a 77-59 win over Woburn in a tri-meet on Tuesday. Havican turned in another impressive performance in the 400 hurdles, taking first place with a 69.19, while Vanessa …

• Photos (1)

VIDEO: Spartans Nipped by Medford

The Stoneham High School baseball team lost to Medford High, 3-1, on Friday in Stoneham.

STONEHAM — With the wind blowing and the temperatures falling steadily, both the Stoneham and Medford High baseball teams struggled to put runs on the board on Friday.  But tied, 1-1, in the top of the sixth, Medford's Chris Hayes drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead. Medford added another run in the seventh on a wild pitch to seal the 3-1 victory. Up next for Stoneham is a Monday morning game at 10 against Watertown at home.

• Videos (1)

Stoneham Woman Vying For HGTV's "All American Handyman" Title

Allison Oropallo will be competing against 19 other contests on HGTV's "All American Handyman" to see who is the handiest of them all.

As Allison Oropallo was surfing the Internet last month, she saw an HGTV ad on Craigslist that was seeking energetic people who had experience with tools. There couldn't have been a more perfect match. Oropallo and her mother made a trip down to Philadelphia in time for the March 12 casting audition. After a few weeks passed by, Oropallo figured she wasn't going to make the cut. However, HGTV eventually notified Oropallo that she'd be on the show "All American Handyman," competing for 10 days in New York City starting April 9. She will be competing against 19 other contestants on "All American Handyman," which is hosted by Molly Culver. The purpose of the show is to find the country's best handyman. The winner will receive the title, a $10…

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 7

Looking for something to do in Stoneham? Check out our latest "Patch Facts" column for some suggestions.

1. Book group: Stoneham Public Library is hosting a mystery book group at 7 p.m. to discuss author Sara Dunant's novel "Mapping the Edge." The book group session is free and open to the public. 2. Book signing: Meet the authors of the newest Wakefield history book called "Lake Quannapowitt" at a book signing from 7-9 p.m. at The Book Oasis. 3. Post an ad: Got some extra stuff kicking around the house that you'd like to sell or a job opening that needs to be filled? Post a free classified ad on Stoneham Patch! 4. Bravo! "The Rimers of Eldritch," a play about Nelly Windrod standing trial for murder, accused of shooting a local vagrant as he attacked a teenage girl, is at 7:30 p.m. at the Stoneham Theatre. Tickets cost $38-44, but senior …

• Photos (1)

Whiz Kids

Stoneham Girl Dances Her Way to Victory

Robin Hood Elementary School student Meghan Lapery and her dance team won a few special awards recently in Andover.

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week Key to awesomeness: Lapery has been dancing for eight years and it is her favorite activity that she participates in. For the past four years, Lapery has been a member of the competition team. “My studio is Let's Dance Inc. in Stoneham," Lapery said. "Miss Tracy (Della Russo) and Miss Michaela (Della Russo) are my teachers along with many others. I dance ten hours a week. "I take jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, modern and acro. I love to dance and love spending time at the studio.” Lapery said she's enjoyed participating in dancing events. “We have been to many dance competitions," Lapery said. "Last summer, we went to Wildwood, N.J. for a national competition. It was a lot of fun. “This past weekend we …

• Photos (3)

Moms Talk Q&A

Moms Council: Should Kindergarten Kids Be in School Full-Time?

Check out what our Moms Council had to say on this subject in our latest "Moms Talk Q&A" column. We also welcome your comments in the comments section below.

From Melisa Thorne: I fully support the Stoneham School Committee's decision to continue full-time kindergarten in public schools. I'm of the belief that full-day kindergarten has many benefits, such as it allows children and teachers time to explore topics in-depth and provides opportunity for greater continuity of day-to-day activities. Imagine starting a project and not being able to get back to it for five days. Imagine the challenges the teachers face in trying to reengage a child back into that project. As a working mother, my children have been in daycare at a learning center since they were infants. I appreciate the social and cognitive skills that they have gained from their experience in this environment. Now that my oldest is at…

• Photos (1)