![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
You’ve seen “The Kardashians”, you’ve seen “The Bachelor.” Now, get ready for something closer to home. Producer Amy Palmer is bringing her storytelling magic to Westport with “The Westport Show,” a vibrant series that will shine a spotlight on our town’s inspiring people, unique local businesses and untold stories.
When Palmer moved to Westport in 2021, she quickly realized the town held untapped potential for storytelling. A seasoned producer with roots in New York City, she previously created “NY360,” a lifestyle show covering food, fashion, film and more.
“I feel like this town has so many magical businesses, people and spots,” Palmer said. “I thought I could do a show similar to what I did in New York, but with a focus on Westport.”
The concept for “The Westport Show” began taking shape in 2022, starting with a test segment featuring Adam Goldberg of Pop Up Bagels, but it wasn’t until this past summer that she committed fully to her vision.
For Palmer, the show is about more than entertainment; she sees the project as a way to showcase local talent and individuals that set the town apart from the rest.
“I think it’s really important to highlight hyper-local people who are doing amazing things—building incredible businesses, showcasing talents,” Palmer said. “That kind of storytelling inspires people at a local level.”
Palmer relies on her instincts when deciding what stories to feature. Her team’s mission is to leave no stone unturned, ensuring that every corner of the town is represented. She feels that Westport has changed since COVID, and now is the perfect time to highlight the town through a fresh lens.
Currently, the first episode is in the editing phase and will soon be available on YouTube, @thewestportshow on social media platforms like Instagram and even gas station TVs.
As the team finalizes the first episode, Palmer is already thinking ahead to the future, eager to explore even more perspectives like teens that reveal the heart of Westport.
“We’re really excited,” Palmer said. “The more we uncover, the more I realize this town is like an undiscovered gem.”
This story was originally published on Inklings on November 27, 2024.