Our summary of the latest Wellesley sports news:

A handful of Wellesley High School student-athletes earned recognition for their efforts during the Spring and Fall II seasons through the Globe All-Scholastics program (a print version was available on Sunday, July 18). A bunch more athletes earned honorable mention and all-star honors.

Wellesley’s All-Scholastics:

• Maja Desmond, MVP of the Bay State Carey Division, girls lacrosse
• Alanna Dumalac, girls lacrosse
• Megan Webb, longer jumper and hurdler, girls track
• Olivia Gubbay & Molly Plenge, doubles, girls tennis
• Harry Collomb, team MVP, singles, boys tennis
• Will Lewis & Aidan O’Neil, doubles, boys tennis

 

Thorbjornsen wins Mass Amateur

Congrats to Wellesley High grad Michael Thorbjornsen, who won the Mass Amateur golf championship, and set records at Brae Burn Country Club.

The Stanford University student had 18 birdies in 30 holes.

Residents are invited to participate in a remote public hearing on Monday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. to learn about Zoning Articles that will be considered at the October 2021 Special Town Meeting.

The Planning Board and Department will hold the hearing via Zoom.

The proposed Articles include:

• Accessory dwelling units (aka, in-law apartments)
• Additional of sustainability standards to Zoning Bylaws
• Redefinition of two-unit dwelling to include townhouse style in General Residence Districts
• By-right outdoor dining in Commercial Districts

 

• Adoption of new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood plain maps
• Banning or regulating the use of land in Commercial Districts for gun shops/shows

To join, click on the Zoom link. Passcode: 610993 Webinar ID: 860 6940 4478

The public hearing will also be live streamed on Wellesley Public Media, and broadcast live on Comcast channel 8 and Verizon channel 40. The meeting will also be recorded and available on demand.

You can get a preview of the topics by reviewing the July 6 Planning Board meeting recording by Wellesley Media. Tune in around the 1-hour, 5-minute mark.

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Wellesley Girl Scouts held an awards ceremony at Town Hall to present one gold and five silver awards to scouts who took action within their community during the past two years.

 

Kathrine Bedard received her Gold Award by creating Girlz to Leaders, a club at Wellesley High School which builds leadership skills for female students. As a class officer, Kathrine noticed this past year that only four girls were class officers out of a total of sixteen positions.

Her solution was to help ninth and tenth grade girls become more confident about stepping into leadership positions at WHS. The GirlZ to Leaders club had forty two members from all grades and an equal number of sophomores and juniors. Fifteen meetings were held with such topics as effective communication, team management, and problem solving.  Nearly two thirds of all participants felt that confidence in their leadership skills increased greatly. The GirlZ to Leaders club will continue next year.

Julia Andersson earned her Silver Award by holding two events to raise awareness of Stray Pets in Need, an animal shelter located on the Wellesley/Natick line. Julia and her father built a catio, an outdoor enclosure which allowed people to adopt a cat while staying safe and socially distanced. During the first two weeks of the catio, seven cats were adopted.

Olivia Caiazzo and Athena Maramaldi earned their silver award by working with Wellesley Natural Resources Commission to plant a black willow tree, entitled Tranquility Tree, in a clearing behind Town Hall. Athena and Olivia hosted a public event to promote nature as a way to feel positive vibes when experiencing loss and going through other emotions. WHS students from the National Honor Society are watering the Tranquility Tree this summer and fall.

Eliza Towle and Katherine Stewart earned their silver award by speaking to forty five people outside of Roche Bros. about the need for donations of feminine hygiene products. Although everyone knows to donate food, clothing, and toiletries, few people are aware that menstrual products are excluded from the benefits for disadvantaged girls and women. Katie and Eliza provided information about the Wellesley chapter of Dignity Matters, and they explained a bill before the Massachusetts legislature.

Wellesley Select Board member Colette Aufranc will host office hours on Thursday, June 24, 10:00am-11:30am.

Ask questions, give input, and share concerns about Town operations, economic development, or other issues.

Reserve your 15-minute appointment in advance by sending an email directly to her at [email protected]

You will receive a response confirming your reservation, time, and the meeting location.