There's no way to describe the last twenty years of Westwood Lacrosse without using the word excellence. Over the last two decades, the Wolverines have won ten state championships. This year, a talented group is back for more with still something left to prove. In the April issue of Westwood Living, we dive into the dominance of the program and what it takes to stay at the top consistently.
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By Tom Leyden
Photos By: Rick Bern Photography
It was widely regarded as the most dramatic moment of the 2021 scholastic sports year in Massachusetts. A lifetime memory unfolding in slow motion, two sunsets before Independence Day, in a season delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Westwood and Franklin, after battling through a steady rain, were knotted at five goals apiece. The evenly matched contest between the Wolverines and Panthers had been a back-and-forth battle, highlighted by incredible defense and nuanced skill. After more than 49 minutes of precipitation and perspiration, with a state championship and a place in history on the line, the time for decisive action was short.
Overtime was 15 seconds away.
Five feet behind the Franklin net, Ava Connaughton found herself in exactly the right spot. The sophomore attacker capitalized on an error, intercepted an errant pass and immediately darted toward the net. In less than a second, she had curled around the right side and was prone to the turf. With her stick fully outstretched, she flicked a wicked backhand through the goal mouth, past the feet of a stunned goalkeeper. As teammates swarmed Connaughton, 12.2 seconds showed on the clock. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, Westwood had clinched a ninth state title in breathtaking fashion and added another chapter to an illustrious book of achievement.
The 2022 season proved to be a dominant encore performance, as the Wolverines steamrolled through their schedule unscathed, once again finishing atop the pack with nary a loss to rue. Last June, Westwood defeated Wellesley 16-1 at Babson University, capping off a tenth title season in rousing fashion. The championship game victory was the 49th in a row for the green and white and put the exclamation point on a postseason in which they outscored opponents by a combined tally of 81-15.
Pure, unadulterated domination.
A culture of excellence was established by head coach Leslie Frank over the course of 18 seasons, eight of which ended with her team celebrating a championship. That tradition continued when Margot Spatola took over upon Frank's departure after spending six years on staff as an assistant. The case next to Bader Gymnasium showcases ten state title trophies, the most of any school in the Commonwealth, representing 20 years of dominance complemented by more than 500 wins - an average of more than 20 per season.
"I think the overall legacy of this program is such a big reason why we continue to see so much success," said Riley Harrington, a senior goalkeeper. "The teams that Leslie Frank built years ago, we're still building off of that success. It's crazy. I'll go to a tournament in a different state, and someone will ask me where I'm from and after I tell them, they say, 'Oh my God, you're from Westwood?' We're known for lacrosse and it's really because of past teams and past coaches."
True, but not 100% accurate. The Class of '23 has held its own and this year looks to put the finishing touches on a long list of already impressive achievements. Five players - Connaughton, Harrington, Olivia Williams, Lil Hancock and Kella McGrail - have committed to play Division I Lacrosse in college. Granted, the 2020 season was wiped out by COVID, but no one on this year's team has lost a game in high school.
"Coming into any season, our coach always says, honestly, 'Forget about last season,'" said Connaughton. "This is a new year, a new state title to play for. Just bring it all out there and don't worry about last year.
"It's also important to recognize that we're a new team this year and even though some things may have worked for us one year, different things might work the next year and we need to build off the strengths of our players now. How we can succeed this season might not necessarily be the same as the way we succeeded the past two."
But you can build on last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. Most of the girls on this year's roster recall their most impressionable days watching the champions who came before them at Westwood High.
"I used to go to the games and I'd get the roster and highlight my favorite players," said Williams. "I still have some of those papers and it's so crazy thinking that maybe I'm one of those players now. Seeing all the little girls on the sideline, it really is one of my main motivators. It makes me really excited and happy for the future of Westwood lacrosse and also makes me reminisce about what it used to be like."
"It's really cool being able to be in the shoes of the upperclassmen because we've watched them since we were little and we wanted to be just like them," said Hancock. "Getting to play for the high school and being one of the best teams in the state. It's just an honor to be those older kids now that we used to look up to."
Spatola took the baton passed by Frank and took off sprinting like the next runner in a 4x100 relay.
"I had to figure out what worked for me as a head coach," said Spatola. "What I took from Leslie along with what things I've come up with on my own and picked up from other coaching friends and mentors over the years. It was more so honoring what I had in front of me and really doing my best to give the girls on my team each year what they deserve, giving them as many opportunities as we could give them. That's how I went into it."
"I love Margot. Every day we go to practice and we look forward to it," said Harrington, "I've never dreaded a Westwood Lacrosse practice ever. She makes every practice and game so intense and also so much fun. She always says this and I think it's so true - we're 80% work and 20% fun. So she always makes sure we're having a good time, but we also need to recognize that we're there to play lacrosse and we're working to get better. I feel like her instilling that in us is such a big part of our success."
Another big part of the success? Having a short memory and a focus out the windshield, not in the rear-view mirror.
"I do feel confident we can take another step, just by doing the same things we do in practice as we always have," said Hancock. "It comes down to listening to Margot, working hard in practice and pushing each other. That's the most important thing. Our hard work in practice correlates to the games."
"Coming into this year, after the last two years, the girls obviously know what it takes to be the top team," said Spatola. "Last year, 2022, it wasn't easy, and in the first part of this season, we will have to find our new identity. We have a lot of holes to fill. Hopefully the girls learned that lesson last year. Our April 4th team is not going to be the same as our, hopefully, June 20th team."
No matter how the 2023 campaign evolves, it will be the last dance for a talented core of seniors who have already crafted a legacy overflowing with accomplishment.
"We try not to let emotions get too involved when we're playing, but it's definitely going to be different knowing it's our last year," said Hancock. "Thankfully, some of us are going to college to play lacrosse, so we'll be excited for that, but it's just different playing for your hometown with your best friends, at your hometown field, in front of family."
"It makes me sad. I'm very sad to leave," said Williams. "I've accomplished so much with my teammates and I feel proud of the legacy we are leaving on this town and this community. I'm excited for college and what that chapter might bring. I'll always be excited to come back and watch other kids play here at Westwood."
From one generation to the next, excellence bleeds through. Chances are high the girls wearing uniforms this year will return in street clothes to cheer on those who take their place in the seemingly annual high-pressure postseason games. That's just how it works with Westwood lacrosse.
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Caroline Nozzolillo
Learn more about the people and businesses in Westwood as Tom Leyden hosts a series of one-on-one conversations.
By Tom Leyden
Kristen Kjellman graduated from Westwood High School in 2003, the same year she led the Westwood lacrosse team to its first-ever State Championship. From there, Kristen went to Northwestern, where the Wildcats won three NCAA Championships. In 2006 and 2007, Kristen received the Tewaaraton Award, presented each year to the best college lacrosse player in the United States. A member of the 2009 United States team that won the lacrosse World Cup, Kristen is now married and the mother of three girls. We caught up in her Mom's kitchen.
Tom: You were a part of the first Westwood championship team in 2003. Can you take me back to that year?
Kristen: It was an amazing time, really across all our Westwood sports at the time. We had a really good soccer program. Our basketball team was amazing, won a couple of state championships, and then it propelled us into the spring. Leslie Frank did an awesome job of making us work hard and having us see that vision and we all believed it. That really propelled us into our careers in college and post-college. It was a huge kickstarter for what it's become.
Tom: So what is it about Leslie Frank that was able to get a group of young girls together and get them focused to the point where they could compete at the highest level?
Kristen: Leslie has a relentless competitive mindset, and, for me, I just synced well with that. It was just a daily goal of working hard and working at our game and everyone just wanted to play hard for her. It was really similar to my situation at Northwestern. Everyone wanted to play hard for Kelly (Amonte Hiller). When you have that team buy-in, it's a great culture and everyone's on the same page.
Tom: The explosion of women's lacrosse has really been astounding to me. We have our eyes opened locally because BC has experienced some success here, so maybe we weren't paying attention to Northwestern back in the mid 2000s, but as BC makes runs to these consistent Final Fours, people have their eyes open. They know Sam Apuzzo, who won the Tewaaraton, and Kenzie Kent, who played both hockey and lacrosse, and then Charlotte North, who was an amazing athlete who won the Tewaaraton twice herself. So what do you think about the general growth of the game and how it's really exploded?
Kristen: It makes me so happy. I'd go to a camp and I'd ask kids, "Who's your favorite female athlete?" and everyone would always say a soccer player, like Mia Hamm, or a basketball player - not a lacrosse player. Now it's flipped. Everyone says Charlotte North or Kenzie Kent or Sam Apuzzo. They say lacrosse players! To me that's the most telling thing about what our sport has become and we still have a ways to go to get more international recognition. The Olympics will hopefully really help that, but it's come so far and it makes me so happy.
Tom: You're still very involved. Tell us what you're up to?
Kristen: I work for "We Play Sports" and we help universities and athletic departments organize and monetize their video. We have a great team based out of Boston and I love it. Then, on the side, I'm able to do some lacrosse training and help some girls - some high-potential athletes - work on their games and develop as players. It's a great combo.
Tom: When you see how dominant the Westwood program continues to be, what do you think of that?
Kristen: Firstly, Margot (Spatola) has done an incredible job of stepping in and continuing with the excellence and taking the program to another level. I think it's amazing. I'm so proud to be a part of a sport that can carry that much tradition and keep that dominance up. It's so cool. I love following along. The girls probably don't know me, but a lot of our alums, we follow and we watch and it's really cool to have been a part of.
Tom: I just met your youngest daughter and you are now the mother of three. Tell me about how that part of your life has evolved?
Kristen: Yeah, three girls, it's amazing. It's cool to be able to pass the game down and start to coach them. I wrote a book with my mom, "The ABCs of Girls Lacrosse," and had my oldest daughter, Ella, featured in the book. Hopefully they love it as much as I did and it's just fun to teach them and play around with them. It's an exciting time.
Listen to our full conversation on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. You can follow Kristen on Instagram @kristenkjellmanlax
Kristen won the Tewaaraton Award as the top player in college lacrosse in 2006 and 2007.
By Cara Lane
Since 1982, the father and sons behind John Bean Roofing have built a stellar reputation based on consistent, high-quality service and exceptional workmanship.
John Senior formally learned the trade as a union roofer while his quality side work garnered such a strong following within his community that he eventually focused on starting his own business. He steered his then-teenage sons Tom and John away from trouble, keeping them close on his job sites where they collected shingles and other debris – and learned their dad’s strong work ethic.
“We still got into enough trouble, too!” offers Tom with a laugh.
Right after high school, in ‘87 and ‘89 respectively, Tom and John instinctively joined the family business as it grew from its original headquarters at their family home in Hanover. The roofers eventually became known for their efficient, one-day turnaround time, drawing the attention of the Patriot Ledger for a feature story. Not only had the Bean family emerged as a dependable and reliable name in the trade, they developed an eye for proper restoration as well as overall home improvement – standards that still guide the company today.
“The thing we try to stress as a business,” according to Tom Bean, “is unlike most roofing contractors, we not only focus on quality work, but we work with you to add beauty and increased value to your home.”
Whether your home graces the coast or is nestled among towering pines, New Englanders often choose cedar shingles for their beauty, their durability and their classic, traditional look. As a CertainTeed Select Shingle Roofer, John Bean Roofing stands behind the outstanding performance qualities and look of the company’s line of luxury shingles. Still others turn to vinyl siding as a smart, low maintenance investment against our harsh coastal weather; CertainTeed siding is an easy-to-clean option, and includes their Lifetime Fade Protection guarantee.
“Our goal is to ensure you are fully protected with a state-of-the-art roofing system that can withstand even the most inclement weather conditions,” said Tom.
John Bean Roofing offers a full range of roofing solutions for your home or business, including asphalt, copper, slate, tile, a type of rubber roofing called EPDM, or sheet metal roofing. For more than 30 years, the family-owned and operated company has been serving the area with premium roofing, gutter, siding, and windows, as well. The company recovered quickly post- pandemic without suffering the typical slowdowns many contractors have faced.
“We haven’t had any trouble with the supply chain,” according to Tom.
When they aren’t managing job sites and the other rigors of running a business, the brothers turn their attention toward quality time with family – a focus they’ve maintained throughout the growth of John Bean Roofing. Tom balances his dedication to physical fitness with a love for reading philosophy, theology, and business, as well as biographies of great men and women.
He is devoted to enjoying weekly date nights with his wife, Regina, and hosting regular Sunday dinners with his family. While he is proud of his four kids, which includes two older daughters and two younger sons, as well as his six grandchildren, Tom is equally impressed by his brother John’s commitment to his own children, his grandchildren, his girlfriend, and ultimately to their family:
"John was this crazy Hanover High School, all-star basketball player – holds the record for the most points scored in a game – and he chose to stay with the family business, and forgo a promising college career.”
Beyond their notability in close-knit Hanover, the team of father and sons at John Bean Roofing is known from throughout the South Shore and Cape Cod as professionals who value both your time and your investment in your home or business. From roof leaks to missing shingles, their quality workmanship is backed by over 30 years as experienced roofing contractors. Free estimates and financing for projects of all sizes enhance the convenience when choosing John Bean Roofing for your next project.
Recently, Sarah and Matt McSweeney from Cohasset sent an email which said, “Been meaning to say Thank You, again, for the roof – we love it! When you do any bids, use us as a reference!”
Let the licensed team at John Bean Roofing provide you with a FREE evaluation to determine the best roofing system for your needs. We can suggest the best roof for your residential or commercial property, ensuring accurate and professional roofing installation. Call (781) 878- 3100, find us on social media, email info@johnbeanroofing.com or visit johnbeanroofing.com to begin your next project.
By Tom Leyden
Proudly sitting in his newly expanded facility in Walpole, Ian Brown makes it clear he's a Westwood guy.
"Our roots are in Westwood. I grew up in Westwood," said Brown, the owner of Ian Brown Land Design. "I went to Thurston and the high school. My family had a few acres on Clapboardtree. It was where our family home was."
That spacious property is what originally made landscaping so appealing. When Ian was young, his dad hired a landscaping team, but a budding entrepreneur was intrigued by the possibility of taking on the job himself.
"When I was 12, 13, 14, I would ask my dad, 'How much are you paying these people? Isn't this something I could do?'' said Brown. "As I was growing into a young man, he had taught me how to change oil, how to fix a flat - and the yard work was next. So it lined up really well."
What started as an exploration into something new blossomed into a burgeoning business opportunity as Ian progressed from high school at Westwood through college at Assumption to the days following his graduation in 2006, when he incorporated the company.
"Now I look back, it was that summer after senior year in high school, when you wanted to make as much money as you could mowing lawns and doing all that before college," said Brown. "So I did, but people kept asking me to do work, even late into the fall season. I'd come home from Worcester where I went to school and would work Mondays and Fridays. I called them four-day work weekends and I just carried it through college and that's where it started building."
In the many years since, Ian has become an expert in land design, focusing his energy on developing landscapes and working with select clients to bring their visions and wishes to fruition.
"I do think, over time, I developed a knack for the design aspect of our work, and that's what's moved us from more of a maintenance-based company, where I started, to more of the land design, where you're going to be more creative, work with clients directly and and evolve a space. That's what we really love," said Brown.
Some landscape companies build a volume-business, relying on numerous customers to support an infrastructure focused on maintenance - lawn-mowing, trimming, clean-up. Ian turned his attention to cultivating more intimate and impactful relationships with clients who rely on his experience and instinct to take their properties to a level that immediately beautifies the space while enhancing the property's value.
"We know what our core skill set is and we stick with it," said Brown. "Our skills are smaller and deliver big impact to keep the quality control and we're focused on the end result, to develop and deliver a great result for clients. I'm on site a lot of the time. That means I can't be doing 3000 lawns, although that's a business model that works for some people. I have to be on the projects to keep an eye on things and show the staff exactly how I go through it. We have a process and it works."
Understanding a town's history and the unique characteristics of each individual home and property are vital to Ian's success.
"Westwood is a very beautiful town with hundreds of years-old homes mixed with brand new construction," said Brown. "So growing up in the town, I have friends and family that own homes there. I have clients that own homes there. So when you're renovating a space with a home that's 200, 300 years-old with elements in the landscape that are equally old, you want to embellish those and enhance them. So our skill set brings the old granite, turn-of-the-century stone work and we influence that with a new garden setting, maybe with new stone. But we blend the two. Another approach, and you see it, is new construction top to bottom. Everything new - pavers, granite blocks, things that are a bit more rigid. They have their time and place and Westwood certainly has homes like that.
"But Westwood's unique because it has a blend of both and we have an adaptability to really curtail some trends for some homes and embellish others."
For more, listen to my full conversation with Ian on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube and visit www.ianbrownlandscaping.com
By Tom Leyden
The most important aspect of team success is the ability to work as a unit, complimenting each other's strengths while challenging each other to perform at a high level. As their dynamic partnership has blossomed over the last five years, Erin Hayes and Maureen Grealish have pushed each other, learned from shared experiences and established their company, Woodland Road Design, as one of the best in the region.
"I started Woodland Road Design on my own almost seven years ago," said Erin. "I was working by myself for four years, and I loved what I was doing. I heard through a mutual friend that Maureen was interested in getting into interior design. I had seen her home, I had seen what she could do and I knew her as an acquaintance. I knew she was a lovely person and I knew that she had a really keen eye for design. So I thought to myself, why don't we collaborate instead of compete? So we talked and we figured it out, and we decided it would be a good fit. Our styles are not identical, but in sync enough that we work together really well."
The pair of Westwood residents have grown their business in the three years since, honored in 2022 as the "Best of Houzz Design" by the popular home and design magazine, Houzz.
"You learn from what you've done in the past," said Maureen in her lovely Irish brogue. "What worked for one client isn't going to work for another client. Some things are emotional - there's a chair in the corner that they really want to use - so you have to take all that into consideration. Function's a huge part of what we do, as well. Do you know how it's going to function for the family?"
"We're not the type of designers who come in and say, 'This is what you need to do for your space,'" said Erin. "We take a lot of client input so we can really figure out what is going to reflect them in a way that is all pulled together and looks nice."
That collaborative approach makes working with Erin and Maureen a very comfortable process. Most homeowners are new to the process, trusting objective third-parties to help design their space. Erin and Maureen's eyes for detail and senses of what's most efficient, effective and practical give clients comfort, knowing their project is in the skilled hands of seasoned professionals.
"Erin has an attention to detail that's second to none," said Maureen. "For example, if I'm struggling to figure out the next stage in a given project, she'll pull out a spreadsheet she's been working on and tell me to look at it. She's just organized, very calm and she thinks about everything. Erin calms me down if I'm getting a little excited about something. She's a great person."
Maureen's design skills and unique tastes work hand-in-hand with Erin's organization, focus and vision.
"Maureen brings a spark. Her designs are spectacular," said Erin. "She has a very easy way of putting together a room that's going to be comfortable and functional, but has a really interesting edge that people notice - 'Oh, wow, look at that lighting,' or ' Look at that tile.' And she's just very easy to work with."
As we sat in the library chatting, I asked Erin and Maureen if there was any specific type of project they love the most, and without hesitation, Erin had the answer.
"I really love doing kitchens and baths," said Erin. "For whatever reason, I love making it all come together and work really well together. There's all kinds of exciting things happening with tile. Even quartz countertops are so different from five years ago. There's always something new and different to put in to make someone's space unique and interesting, and I love that."
"I am going into stores all the time, getting inspired all the time," said Maureen. "I'm always looking on Instagram, always looking at different fabrics and, to Erin's point about doing kitchens, I love that. I love seeing how a family functions and what makes the house work, and then making it aesthetically pleasing. I love a living room as well and working to bring the personalities into the room and make it work for everybody."
There's a certain togetherness that becomes evident when you spend time with Erin and Maureen, and that translates into how they work with their clients. It's a team effort, a complimentary process to create a shared vision.
Learn more about Erin and Maureen and Woodland Road Design by listening to our full conversation on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube - and visit their website at www.woodlandroaddesign.com
By Jay Resha
WESTWOOD – Good afternoon and thank you for joining us! Welcome to Boston Area Driving, B.A.D. for short. I will be your instructor today – Jay’s the name, though most folks just call me Bandit. For your first lesson today, we’ll go on a guided tour of the 02090, and see up close some of the tricky roads and intersections that B.A.D. drivers will need to navigate. Now, let’s hop into Smokey the Sedan and get started. Please buckle up!
We will begin our trip on the highway. As you know, Route 128 has several exits that lead into town. You’ll have to use your phone or an old map to find the right one, though, since they changed all the numbers again and no one who lives here can remember any of them.
And yes, I said 128, not I-95. It’s 128. And Pine Hill! And Youlden’s! And Convenient!
Okay, back to our drive. Let’s take the East Street exit. See those lines and arrows in the road as you come up the ramp? Good. Now make sure you disregard them, and instead choose whichever lane is clear. Then simply go around everyone, quickly swing into the middle of the rotary, then slow down. This way, you can pass the cars in the other lane; cut off traffic already in the circle; and block those trying to get to the next exit spoke. It’s the B.A.D. driver hat trick!
Next, we go north on Washington Street towards Dedham. Right on Elm, then right again onto Route 1 – here we encounter one of the most important liquid locales. No, it’s not a beer run from Texarkana to Atlanta; it’s the Dunkin’ Donuts and Mary Lou’s Coffee drive-thrus, right next door to each other. The key to remember here is that when you are in the Dunkin’s line, stay very close to the car ahead of you. This ensures no one can cut in, and also forms a barrier which blocks the Mary Lou’s customers, preventing them from exiting. They don’t mind, though. In fact, they often put up one finger to show you that you are number one!
Back to the road we go – hey, did you know that Route 1 is the longest north-south road in America? You do now! Anyway, take a right on Everett Street, towards Washington and the bottom of Clapboardtree. We reach the lights. Now, when the first one turns green, proceed under the bridge. Note that at the second light – the main crossing – the left lane is left-turn only.
But don’t let this deter you! Most see it as more of an idea or a suggestion, than an actual rule. So just avoid those going eastbound and down, and take that beeline. Trust me!
You know, clapboard isn’t even a type of tree. And have you ever thought Lake Shore Drive should really be…Pond Shore Drive?
Sorry. Got off point there. Last part of our journey now; up Clapboardtree, past Xaverian Brothers, approaching Nahatan Street. Hark, we hereby rein in thy steed at ye olde 18th-century horse-and-carriage intersection. Yonder are two churches, eight stop signs, some completely misunderstood short chutes, and many of the longest backups in town.
Complete stops? Maybe. “No left turn”? More like “No clue, just following others.”
Traffic backed up to Dela Park? Just cut through The Maze! You won’t save any time, but you do increase your chances of stumbling upon a block party or a basketball game, where there are sure to be many shots taken.
Well, folks, this completes our route! Congratulations, B.A.D. drivers, you have all passed the first test! Next week, we’ll attempt to navigate nasty Route 109 in our Westwood Operators Roadway Standard Ethics class. After that – and surely Buford T. Justice would agree here – our B.A.D driving will be certified W.O.R.S.E.!
Westwood Living? No…thank YOU for living in Westwood. See you next month, and Iook forward to hearing from you any time at jayresha@comcast.net.
By Tom Leyden
The NCAA Basketball Tournament was an enormous part of my life for 11 years when I worked in Michigan and there's nothing like covering March Madness. Everything about the intense four-week cycle is awesome when you have a vested interest.
It starts with Selection Sunday, a day where every team is sitting on pins and needles because they either don't know if they're going to get in the tournament or they don't know where they're headed to play or who they'll face in a matter of days. In a single moment, your agenda just pops on the screen and suddenly, you're booking travel plans.
The first weekend can take you to some random places, and I've enjoyed a number of interesting first and second round venues - Worcester, Dayton, Denver and Charlotte, just to name a few. Once you figure out your travel plans, you spend a few days preparing and then hit the road for a really unique and memorable experience.
What I love most about the first weekend is the dichotomy between the big schools and the small schools. Historically, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas.... they show up and take things in stride. Business as usual, right? They're supposed to be here.
The fun comes in watching the lower-seeded schools and everyone associated with them live out their dreams. Passionate bands and cheerleaders, players soaking in every moment of practice on the big court with bright lights - and then... holy cow, what if they pull off an upset?
I've seen a few, but my most memorable came in Worcester when Vermont knocked off Syracuse in the first round of the 2005 tournament. You can't match the insanity or excitement when a Cinderella knocks off a traditional powerhouse to advance. Watching the Catamounts squeeze the Orange and soak in that achievement was emotional, energizing and unforgettable. It's one example of many over the years.
The second weekend gets even better as the venues are larger, the games more intense and the talent typically top-notch. Your best bet to watch high-level action in person is to wait outside the arena after the Sweet Sixteen matchups and buy tickets from fans of the schools that were eliminated that night. They're not sticking around! Suddenly, you've got a seat to an Elite Eight matchup where you get to watch a team punch its ticket to the Final Four.
And what a spectacle that is! I've been to five Final Fours and each was remarkable. Say what you want about the NCAA, and there's been a lot said, but Final Four weekend is a fantastic celebration of basketball, well worth a trip to check it off your bucket list. History is always made as games that are talked about for decades unfold in front of your eyes.
March Madness hasn't always resonated with fans in Massachusetts because our local teams so infrequently make a big splash, but if you're a basketball fan, I strongly encourage you to check out any one of the three weekends. You'll never forget it.
By Tom Leyden
One of the great beauties of life is putting together the puzzle of a community's people and understanding from where they came and what motivation lights their fire every day. Like most of us, Anna Schickel has a unique description of her background and what led her to open Your CBD Store Needham in 2019.
"I'm a speech pathologist with a bad back," said Anna.
Sometimes, it is that simple. Life deals you a hand, at first deemed challenging or troublesome, and that hand leads you down a new path. In this case, Anna's new path included a natural, holistic way to address pain that's made an enormous difference in her life, and the lives of hundreds who believe in the power of CBD, a non-addictive, plant based product derived from the hemp plant.
"I was an athlete growing up," said Anna. "I played sports year-round my whole life, and then I had a back injury when I was 23. I was put on painkillers for a couple months and I just decided that was not the route I wanted to go, so I threw them all in the trash, and went for the holistic approach - physical therapy, chiropractic, just anything natural. A few years later, I reinjured my back and for two years, couldn’t find any relief, and that's when I discovered CBD. A friend of mine opened a CBD store and I chose to use the product she recommended. Overnight, my back pain went from a 'level 8' every day to a 'one.'"
That dramatic improvement may or may not be the result for all people, but Anna's personal experience should be an eye-opener that, at least, makes you wonder if CBD might help you. Anna's conversion to CBD treatment was so encompassing, she focused her attention on opening her own CBD store, serving as a guide and educator for others dealing with any number of issues.
"We hear amazing success stories in our store, which is the best part of the job, helping people feel better," said Anna. "That's our goal - to get you a product that's going to help you feel better. People come in who are struggling to sleep. We have great products for insomnia. We have products for pain and inflammation. A lot of people are struggling with sports injuries or arthritis and just getting older and everything that comes along with that. People are using it for anxiety. I mean, I don't know anyone who doesn't have anxiety these days. We have new products for for weight loss and relaxation. It's helping people on so many different levels for a wide variety of issues. We even have pet products!”
Located on the corner of Great Plain Avenue and Maple Street, Your CBD Store Needham is welcoming in its decor and immediately comforting thanks to the educational approach the staff takes to dealing with customers. In many cases, there's a basic misunderstanding of cannabinoids and it takes an expert to unravel the unknown.
"When customers come in, we educate them on what CBD is and how the product works in their body," said Anna. "Then we show them each individual product and there are specific products for the different issues people are dealing with. For example, we have our water soluble that is great for anxiety, because it’s fast-acting, it takes effect in five minutes. We've had people have success who've had tremors - they use our water soluble. We have one that's called the Neuro, it has CBG in it, which is another cannabinoid that improves focus and mood, and provides uplift. There's very specific products for each individual issue."
When she opened Your CBD Store Needham, Schickel decided to associate with the highest-quality brand because people in our region demand and expect the best.
"The brand we source, the SUNMED brand, is in Your CBD stores all over the country. Each location is individually owned. SUNMED is very high quality, which is why I wanted to go with this particular brand. It's lab tested. Every bottle has a QR code on it, so you can retrieve the lab report, which is very important when buying CBD. It's also CO2 extracted, the cleanest extraction method in the industry, as opposed to alcohol or ethanol as a solvent to extract it from the plant. It's also organic, made with organic hemp. Several of our products are USDA-certified organic, so it's a very good quality brand."
When dealt an unexpected hand, don't be afraid to pursue the new path. What you find along the way can be life-changing.
You can learn more about Anna and Your CBD Store Needham by listening to our conversation on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, found on SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Visit yourcbdstoreneedham.com for more specific information about the Needham location. They also offer free shipping and delivery!
By Tom Leyden
You never forget that first impression. It was 2015, and touring Westwood searching for a new home, we approached the driveway of a house for sale on Highview Road. Another car pulled toward us, parking along the side of the road. Out of the driver's seat popped Theresa David, the listing agent, and immediately you could sense her high energy. As we poked around the house, Theresa shared with us all the facts and features of the home - the history, why things were built a certain way, how she thought we could maximize certain spaces. Theresa has a friendly presence about her and while we didn't end up buying that home, she had made an impact.
Years later, we ran into each other and I recalled the experience on Highview, how I remembered her helpful and cordial nature and how she made a positive impression.
"My clients are my family and that's how I do my business,” said Theresa. “I love working with people and helping them find what works for them. Sometimes it might not work, but there's a reason."
A believer in fate, Theresa takes that approach to her work, understanding the journey to the finish line when buying or selling a home isn't always smooth and people need a steady, experienced agent by their side. Her own journey to real estate dates back 35 years, when she left a job in finance shortly after the crash of 1987.
"Back in October of '87, I was trading commodities for Cambridge Commodities," said Theresa.
"When the crash happened, I couldn’t find a job anywhere in the financial industry because nobody was hiring. A friend of mine was going to Greece and he said, 'Get your real estate license and cover my listings while I'm gone.' It was in Brockton. It was great and I learned so much. I was the top salesperson. Back then the average price was $134,000, so you had to close at least three sales a month, if not five. I did love it, but I wanted to go back into finance."
With that initial sales experience under her belt, Theresa returned to finance, and became a Financial Consultant for Merrill Lynch, and continued to enjoy helping her clients, this time with their portfolios.
"If you're buying a bond or stock, you don't know what the value's going to be down the road," said Theresa. "You're just putting your faith in a company based on the numbers and the analytics of it all. In real estate, it's not really selling. It's whether it works for your clients' needs and that's what I really enjoy."
Theresa ultimately re-entered the real estate world in 2008, and almost 15 years later, she is now a Vice President at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, with a new office located at the corner of High Street and Gay Street. She and her husband have lived in Westwood since 2007. When they moved from Hingham with their five children, the Davids were immediately drawn to the magnetic characteristics that set our town apart.
"With our excellent schools and our convenient location, Westwood real estate value will always remain strong,” said Theresa. “Everything is five minutes, one side of town to the other, to the highway. You can get on and off, you can hit 95, 93, the Jamaica Way, the train at University or Islington. It's just so easy and it will always remain that way."
The other major selling point was the quality of the school system.
"Two of our kids graduated from Hingham, but the other three went through the Westwood Public Schools," said Theresa. "When we came here to Westwood, you could tell the teachers taught because they loved what they did. You could feel that. Each of my three children had different needs and Westwood Public Schools catered to each, from an IEP to valedictorian and everything in between. So that's why Westwood will always hold its own."
Over the past year, especially, the Westwood housing market has been fascinating to watch. Families are making big decisions, sometimes earlier than expected, to maximize their assets and move because demand has been high. Almost every day, Theresa is asked for advice - Is now the right time to sell? What should we do?
"In Westwood there is no right 'time to sell..' It works out as it should," said Theresa. "If everything lines up, then yes, it's the right time. Sometimes it's not. Naturally supply and demand plays a role. You come on the market when there's not much inventory because the buyers are still out there. It is actually still very busy, very competitive. But you have to think about your own life. Where am I going? Does this make sense for us?"
That's where having an extended member of your family is vital, a person with a trusted network of attorneys, lenders, contractors, service providers and insight into local market trends and pricing strategies.
"It's all about your network, communication and your reputation," said Theresa. "If I'm not excited about these homes, how is a buyer going to be excited about them? That's why I bring a little enthusiasm when somebody walks in. I provide exceptional customer service to each and every one of my clients. It's that simple, and I'm grateful."
You can reach Theresa David by phone at 781-910-9406 and learn more by listening to our conversation on the Westwood Living Podcast Network, found on SoundCloud, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.
Bailey Medeiros has witnessed and experienced it time after time - stereotyping and pre-judgement. Driven to succeed, Bailey blazed an unorthodox trail, through high-profile exposure as Miss Massachusetts Teen USA and NFL Cheerleader, to her current role as an associate at one of the world’s top law firms, Kirkland and Ellis.
“When I was an undergrad student at Bryant University, I majored in finance and was assigned to manage a $1.5 million equity fund with my classmates,” said Bailey. “Most of my peers managing the fund were male and I realized how under-represented women were in various industries, like finance.”
While taking classes at Bryant, Bailey also spent two years as a Patriots Cheerleader. She represented the organization at countless charity events, making media appearances and traveling to Houston and Minneapolis for a pair of Super Bowls. After her second season with the squad, Bailey focused on academics and her pursuit of a law degree.
“I was often stereotyped as an NFL Cheerleader and people were commonly surprised to hear I had aspirations of attending law school,” said Bailey. “Based on all of these experiences, I decided to start a foundation to encourage females to pursue male-dominated careers and to help them push back against preconceived notions and stereotypes.”
The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship launched in 2018 and immediately made an impact. In the four years since, the foundation has awarded more than $55,000 in academic grants to more than 30 recipients of all ages, each of whom endured a rigorous application review process to qualify for financial aid.
“I’m in awe of what the organization has grown into,” said Bailey. “In 2018, I had the idea of giving a scholarship to a high school senior graduating from my alma mater in Monson, MA. I never thought the organization would turn into something that would impact women all across New England, and I never thought we would be able to surpass $55,000 awarded in such a short period of time, if ever! It’s truly been a dream come true and something that would not have been possible without the Board of Directors and our many supporters.”
As a large community embraced the cause and supported the mission, Bailey remained on course, graduating ninth in her class at Bryant in 2019 and graduating cum laude from Boston University School of Law in 2022. While balancing an intense workload this past winter, Bailey also competed for the title of Miss Massachusetts USA and was named first runner-up.
“I’ve always set out to prove to people that there is much more to me than what meets the eye,” said Bailey. “I’m thrilled to be an associate at the world’s largest and most profitable law firm, representing clients in private equity matters. The road hasn’t been easy, and it’s far from over, but I’ve developed an enormous amount of strength and resiliency. I’m excited to help bring more women into the fields of law and private equity.”
Holly Sprow, currently a fourth-year student at the Tufts University School of Medicine, was among the group of women who earned academic grants from The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship in 2021.
“I was looking for local scholarship opportunities in the area and happened to come across The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship,” said Holly. “It really resonated with me after some of my own experiences at work. Being a part of this empowerment community was really appealing to me and having the scholarship money to put toward my medical education has been so impactful and I’m very grateful.”
“Thinking back on what we have been able to do in the past four years, I have no doubt we'll be able to surpass $100,000 in scholarships awarded,” said Bailey. “As we do that, I hope to grow both our network of supporters and scholarship recipients. I hope to develop and host mentoring events to help inspire and cultivate the next generation of female pioneers. I’m excited for everything that is to come!”
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