
Lola Francoline, Elsie Carr, Eloise Vaughn, Sawyer Rose Turner and Alex Philipp face the first day of school at Crunchem Hall in SOAR’s production of “Matilda Jr.”
Aly Morrissey
Lola Francoline, Elsie Carr, Eloise Vaughn, Sawyer Rose Turner and Alex Philipp face the first day of school at Crunchem Hall in SOAR’s production of “Matilda Jr.”
The Black Box Theater at The Hotchkiss School is a small venue by any measurement, with only around 100 seats. It feels like some sort of miracle when 39 elementary school students manage to not only occupy the living-room sized stage, but execute both choreography and harmony.
The cast and crew of SOAR’s production of “Matilda Jr.” pulled off such a miracle not once but four times between Nov. 22 and 24. They weathered missing costume pieces, unruly hair, and even the brief illness of the lead actor to deliver an uplifting and fun story of a little girl in an abusive situation who not only finds the strength — and telekinetic powers — to stand up for herself, but also inspires her classmates and teacher to do the same.
SOAR is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing enrichment programs to the students of Salisbury Central School. Founded in 2000 by Zenas Block, SOAR offers after-school classes, in-school programs, community events and teacher grants. “Matilda Jr.” is the third full-scale musical production put on by SOAR, following “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” in 2023 and “Annie Jr.” in 2022.
Owen Sayler as Bruce wrestles with Miss Trunchbull’s chocolate cake in SOAR’s production of “Matilda Jr.Aly Morrissey
Each year, the number of students signing up for the musical has grown, presenting some logistical challenges. Previous productions included third through eighth graders, but this year the minimum age was raised to fourth grade due to overwhelming interest.
“I’m just thrilled that 39 kids want to do musical theater,” said Darcy Boynton, one of the directors of the play and Program Liaison of the Board of Directors. “They don’t all fit on the [Salisbury Central School ] cafeteria stage, but we squish them in.
Boynton’s co-director is Stephanie Hahn, a member of SOAR’s Program & Event Committee. The two have worked together on all three productions.
“We didn’t even know each other,” Hahn said. “But we both said 'yes'.”
Boynton and Hahn are volunteers who have dedicated too many hours to count. They both praised Lauren Brown, SOAR’s Executive Director and only paid employee, for her support and dedication. And when asked why they said "yes" to such a venture, their answers were similar.
“I’ve always been a theater person, I love it so much,” said Hahn. “To be able to give these kids this experience is just so rewarding.”
“I believe so strongly in theater education,” Boynton added. “Theater is an essential part of education but it’s thought of as extracurricular. It helps with physical skills, emotional skills, and it creates empathetic people. It’s a team sport without the competition.”
Maris Jenter performed the title role in SOAR’s production of “Matilda Jr.”Aly Morrissey
On the subject of teamwork, it’s worth mentioning the sheer number of adult and teenage volunteers who jumped in to help. More than 20 individuals are listed in the program, along with a half dozen sponsors and organizations. The families of the performers also committed to a robust rehearsal schedule.
Choosing a play with a large ensemble is key to the program’s success.
“Matilda” allowed some of the younger actors to be highlighted as the title character’s rebellious classmates. Maris Jenter, a sixth grader, led the way as Matilda, capturing both the humor and the pathos of the role. Jackson Magyar, another sixth grader, stole every scene he was in as the terrifying Agatha Trunchbull. And Mollie Sosin, an eighth grade veteran of all three productions, shined as Miss Honey, using her quite grown up voice to captivate the audience.
“This is a wonderful group of kids who are so supportive of each other,” Boynton said. “Their enthusiasm is what pulled it together. They really cared about it.”
SOAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more about how
to support them at soarkids.org.
LAKEVILLE — The Hotchkiss School girls lacrosse won the 2025 Founders League championship with an 11-10 victory over Choate Rosemary Hall May 21.
The Bearcats battled back from behind by as many as four points.
MaryHelen McCooey scored the game-winning goal with about two minutes remaining.
The win marked the fourth consecutive Founders League title for Hotchkiss girls lacrosse.
The Marvelwood lacrosse team poses for a group photo May 20 after winning the HVAL title for the second year in row.
KENT — On Tuesday, May 20, Marvelwood School lacrosse defeated Woodhall School 15-9 in the Housatonic Valley Athletic League tournament final.
It was second straight HVAL championship win for the Pterodactyls and their fifth league title since 2018.
Marvelwood and Woodhall played twice this past season with Marvelwood winning both games. They met in the championship as the first and second ranked teams in the league.
In the pre-game huddle, Marvelwood Coach Zach Maizel pumped up his players and urged them to “be aggressive early.”
Eli Jamieson, No. 4, congratulates teammate C. Jones after a goal.Photo by Lans Christensen
Taking his message to heart, attackman Eli Jamieson scored in the first minute of game play. He scored twice more in the first period, which ended with Marvelwood ahead 6-3.
Woodhall played aggressively and stayed on the attack, but the first half ended 9-4 in favor of Marvelwood.
Jamieson was the key player on the Marvelwood squad, and he scored twice more in the final period to maintain the Pterodactyls’ lead.
Woodhall fought hard and possessed control for most of the final period, scoring five goals but falling to a final 15-9 Marvelwood victory.
HVRHS sophomore Ryan Segalla went three-for-three May 17 with Berkshire League gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m races. He was also on the gold-winning 4x400m relay team.
Berkshire League track and field wrapped up a season of competition with the league finals in Litchfield May 17. The BL festival followed with decathlon, heptathlon, steeplechase and hammer in Falls Village May 20 and Thomaston May 21.
The events included athletes from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Gilbert School, Lakeview High School, Nonnewaug High School, Northwestern Regional High School, Shepaug Valley High School, Terryville High School and Thomaston High School.
In the gold medal tally, Nonnewaug led with 12 golds, Housatonic won 10, Northwestern won six, Thomaston won six, Lakeview won five and Shepaug won three.
For Housatonic, Senior Mia Dodge won the girls 300m hurdles.
Mia DodgePhoto by Riley Klein
Sophomore Ryan Segalla won the boys 100m, 200m and 400m races.
Senior Kyle McCarron won the boys 800m and 1600m races.
The boys 4x400m relay team of Anthony Labbadia, Patrick Money, Kyle McCarron and Ryan Segalla won gold.
Junior Anthony Labbadia won the boys triple jump by a margin of more than three feet. He also earned second place in the boys 400m race.
Senior Patrick Money won the decathlon.
Senior Gabi Titone won the steeplechase. Junior Olivia Brooks took bronze.
The girls 4x400m relay team of Mckenzie Lotz, Harper Howe, Mia Dodge and Maddy Johnson took silver. The same team took bronze in the 4x100m relay.
Harper Howe took silver in the girls 400m race.
Gabi Titone took silver in the girls 800m race.
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class S state track and field meet will be held in New Britain on June 2.
Patrick Money
Photo by Riley Klein
Lime Rock Park is slated to host the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Friday and Saturday, June 26 to 28, in Lime Rock, Connecticut.
SALISBURY — First Selectman Curtis Rand agreed to sign approvals for changes in traffic patterns and a “hauler parade” for Lime Rock Park’s NASCAR event June 26 to 28 after a lengthy and detailed discussion at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen Wednesday, May 21.
Lime Rock Park is hosting a weekend of NASCAR events. In anticipation of a larger than usual crowd, park leadership has asked to have one-way traffic on Route 112 — Lime Rock Road — from the junction of Route 7 and Route 112 to White Hollow Road and the main track entrance between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and one-way traffic in the opposite direction between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28.
On Thursday, June 26, there will be a hauler parade. The trucks will form up at Salisbury School and proceed west on Route 44 starting at 4:30 p.m., with state police cars in the lead and bringing up the rear. Westbound traffic on Route 44 will be stopped as the parade gets underway.
Rand expressed frustration with many aspects of the plans. He was critical of park leadership for setting up arrangements with local businesses for the parade prior to coming to the town for a discussion.
Selectman Chris Williams said Lime Rock Park should have come to the town considerably earlier than the first notification a couple of weeks ago.
Selectman Kitty Kiefer said she has not heard anything positive from anyone she has talked to about the plans.
Lime Rock Park President Dicky Riegel and facility safety director Tom Burke, a retired State Police sergeant with Troop B, answered the questions and criticisms as they came.
Burke said there will be 30 state troopers both along the roads and at the track, and there will be 11 variable message boards deployed to alert motorists several days ahead of the events.
Asked why park representatives had not sent out plans to their immediate neighbors, Riegel said they couldn’t do that until they had an approval. With approval, the track will publicize the information about the traffic flow and the parade.
Riegel also apologized for not coming to the town sooner.
Public comment was uniformly negative.
After an hour or so, Rand asked the selectmen for their opinions.
Kiefer said she would deny both requests.
Williams said he would approve them but reiterated his earlier criticisms.
Rand made up his mind.
“I will sign these.” He said he was “going on good faith.”
“But if it comes up again I might easily say no.”