Mike White Featured In Graduation Story
There is a Staples soccer angle in everything — even graduation.
Today’s Westport News Page 1 story on the Class of 2010 began with a description of forward Mike White’s big day:
For Michael White’s family, the partying Wednesday began two hours before heading to Staples High School for graduation.
“We were watching the World Cup at my house,” said White, dressed in cap and gown, under the baking sun, waiting for his turn to proceed into the ceremony where he and 404 other members of the Class of 2010 received diplomas.
His cousins were visiting from Florida, he said, and his grandmother was in town for the event as well. Surrounding the television set that morning, they all watched as the U.S. soccer team scored a last-minute goal against Algeria, clinching a key victory in the World Cup.
“The whole family just started screaming,” said White, who plans to play soccer at the University of Delaware, which he will attend this fall. “Then I had to shower, eat and get ready real quick. It was a great start to the day.”
The story then noted that World Cup fever reached far beyond the soccer players, to the entire class:
With that, he disappeared into the sea of blue robes making their way up the steamy stairwell toward the Staples field house. Evidently, others had watched the soccer game.
“U.S.A! U.S.A!” they brayed.
Congratulations Mike; to fellow state champions Jason Bennett, Nick Cion, Mikey Fitzgerald, Nathan Greenberg, Justin Hawrysh, Jack Hennessy, Matteo Marzoli, Michael McCarthy, Drew McNair and Alan Reiter; to managers Sam Memelok and Gabby Wendroff; to Superfan leaders Alex Dulin and Alex Werner — and all the other graduates of the Staples Class of 2010.
The graduates (from left): Jason Bennett, Justin Hawrysh, Drew McNair, Nate Greenberg, Jack Hennessy, Michael McCarthy, Nick Cion, Mikey Fitzgerald, Matteo Marzoli, Alan Reiter, Michael McCarthy. (Photo by Carl McNair)
