WHITMAN — In its first year, the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization hosted and crowned the new Miss Whitman Sunday evening.

Renee Banks, 22, of West Bridgewater was crowned and titled Miss Whitman along with Chelsea Vuong who took first place and titled as Miss Tri-Town. Vuong, 22, is a Harvard University student.

Christine Morse of Whitman is the Executive Director of Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization, Inc. With her preliminary   pageant skills to lean on, she decided to assist other girls in raising scholarship money through the Miss Whitman Scholarship Organization.

“I used to participate in the local preliminary pageants when I was 17 and 18 when I lived in California,” said Morse who has resided in Whitman for almost 15 years. “I was involved in the Miss Boston Scholarship Organization for 11 years with a short break in between,” she said.

“I believe in this organization and being able to give the opportunity for young women to learn wonderful life skills, from interviewing to public speaking, and stage presence.  This is the reason I wanted to start my own local,” she said.

Our program is considered a local preliminary to Miss Massachusetts, which is state preliminary to Miss America. All of the candidates raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to participate at each level. To participate in the local, the amount to raise for each contestant is $100, with all judges, board members, and volunteers for the day of the competition as unpaid volunteers. We provide scholarships to the candidates for their education. All money raised goes towards scholarships and small operating costs with accordance to the Miss America guidelines, according to Morse.

Considering her first year she had slightly higher operating costs than usual, but normally they would be fairly limited, she added.

The amount of scholarships given out is based on what monies can be raised and from locals willing to provide scholarships.

Each scholarship is paid directly to the school with proper invoice and documentation.

The candidates participating can live, work or go to school in the state of Massachusetts.

Being that this is our first year, the competition was open, meaning that anyone in the state can participate she said. As we get more established, I will close the competition, which will mean that I can choose where the pools of candidates live, work or go to school.

“I plan on including Whitman and the surrounding towns,” said Morse

In accordance with the programs guidelines the competition consisted of personal interview, on stage questions, and evening gown/social impact statement. Miss Whitman is a non-profit organization at this time and Morse is currently working on the paperwork to make it a 501(c) 3.

“I thought the competition went very well,” Morse said. “We had 10 wonderful candidates and they did a great job!”

I was able to give away $1400 in scholarships this year, which I think is awesome for our first year.  The venue was beautiful and accommodated us fabulously.  Overall I thought it was great and our two new titleholders are fabulous and can’t wait to compete at Miss Massachusetts at the end of June, she said. “Both ladies will be a wonderful representative of Whitman and can volunteer at any local events.”

During the event as contestants prepared for their next round dancers from Boss Academy of Hanson performed several routines.Information from the organizations can be found at: Miss America; Miss Massachusetts  and Miss Whitman.

WHITMAN — A vigil was held on the soccer fields at Whitman Middle School on Friday, Feb. 21 in honor of four members of the Smith family who perished in a car crash while on vacation in Orlando, Fla., last week.

Organizers included Whitman Youth Soccer President Helen Iannone, Vice President Stephanie Blackman, Boys’ Director Jamie Sousa as well as several other community sports leaders and volunteers. The memorial included impactful statements and memories from Jamie Sousa who coached Jaxon. She was connected to the family and shared love of the sport with him.  She offered heartfelt memories of her time cut short with the young athlete.

Jaxon Smith was only 11, a middle school student in Hanson. He was killed in the crash as well as his younger sister, preschooler Scarlett, 5, his mom Julie, and grandmother Josephine Fay of Weymouth.

Will Litchfield, a soccer teammate of Jaxon’s was given a new pair of footwear by the family. The package had arrived for him when they arrived home from Disney after the tragedy.

He clutched the package that was given to him by Erin Condon, Jaxon’s cousin.

“I feel proud,” said Litchfield as he walked off with his friends, candles in hand.

A statement was released by the family, thanking the town as well as numerous others in their support after the fatal accident.

‘’The Fay/Smith families greatly appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers as we process the events of this horrific tragedy,” it read. “We are truly heartbroken. Among the many individuals, groups and organizations that have assisted during this difficult time we wanted to highlight the efforts of the first responders in Orlando, the medical staff at the Orlando Regional Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital Disney, Jetblue, TSA and The Massachusetts State Police. We also want to thank the Hartman family who assisted in Orlando. We continue to grieve for the loss of our loved ones.  Thank you for your outpouring of kindness.”

On Friday night, the soccer field was packed with sports teams, including several boys soccer teams in which he played over the years along with fellow students, teachers, neighbors and friends of the family; as well as those offering support to the grieving community at the Whitman Middle School soccer field.

Eric Frank a resident of Whitman for 40 years, a father of three, and a soccer league volunteer and coach for 10 years said it was devastating to learn of the tragedy. His son played with Jaxon on fall of 2018.

Parents were seen embracing and consoling their children and their friends who held lights in memory of the Smiths.

Corinna Mac Donald a 3rd grader and her little sister Layla  a first-grader were visibly saddened at the event. They knew the family and her friend through cheerleading and she wanted to tell her friend Shalie that she hopes “she isn’t sad.”  She tried to write a message of hope on the memorial boards that the family would receive from the organizers in the days following the event. They were pinned to the soccer board so everyone could sign them.

The Smiths were remembered by other moms as a small town family who were hands-on, raising polite, respectful kids.

In statements earlier in the week released by the Whitman Hanson Regional School District Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak  schools would have counseling services for students and staff in the weeks to come.

The students throughout the Whitman-Hanson school district are showing kindness and spreading love to one another and the community this Valentine’s Day.

Kelly Tanis advisor for the National Honor Society at Whitman Hanson will be hosting an intimate gathering with a French twist with students from the French club. Another program the NHS has been involved with is “Buckets of Love.”

For the last several years they have carried a tradition of bringing Valentine’s and smiles to a local nursing home. In past years they have chosem a facility with a connection to a student in the group.

This year they will head to Weymouth to play French trivia, puzzles, and snacks to spread love.

In “Buckets of Love,” students were responsible individually or in a group to fill a bucket with items (from a list of age appropriate toys and necessities) that will be donated to a South Shore homeless shelter.

The project involved approximately 22 students and the group was preparing the packages Feb. 11 to be delivered for Valentine’s Day.

“What makes me happiest is seeing how interested the students have been in giving back. I am proud and they are proud to be part of it. The feeling is amazing,” said Tanis.

The students are not being individually recognized for the project it is modest within the NHS, she said.

Teacher Ellen Galambos also posted photos on Twitter following a project with her calligraphy club at W-H. The handmade hand-written Valentine Cards were created finished and dropped off to the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth to brighten the days of others.

The Happiness Crusaders at the Conley School will be planting seeds of affirmation and love inside the elementary school as they greet the morning busses with a tunnel of love.

Fourth-grade teacher Kerri Doherty, who oversees the Crusaders Club said the purpose of the group is to spread love, joy and kindness in school and in the community.

Studies have shown the quickest way to feel better is to do for others and Valentine’s Day will be full of good cheer as she and approximately 12 Crusaders will hold pompons and affirmation cards that read: “You are special,” “You are unique,” and “You are loved,” to name a few of the encouraging statements.

Staff at the Duval School will be on the lookout for students showing kindness to a friend. They are giving out pink hearts to recognize students.

“We are hoping this will encourage empathy by helping others in need,” Assistant Principal Mary Beth Teebagy said.

The Boosterthon Team will also be delivering positive messages and kindness cards from the Duval students to children at Boston Children’s Hospital.

WHITMAN — Through emotion and tears, a crowd gathered at dusk on Sunday in Whitman with white candles that shone brightly in memory of a child who had her life taken away.

Lyric Farrell, 2, of Whitman was remembered Sunday, Jan. 19 — those who gathered celebrated the life of a little girl whose life was cut short leaving all to wonder how? and why? — as the golden sunlight set over photos of a smiling face,

Oversized pink ribbons adorned the doorway of  Miss Kay’s dance studio as owner Kay Duffy  offered her parking lot to host the vigil after learning of Lyric’s affection for music and dance.

She was also remembered for the hugs she gave all her daycare friends, and as a light who shared her radiance with everyone.

“She left her mark on us,” said Jackie Freestone, Lyric’s former day care director.

“We were blessed to know her. Her memory shines on,” said Michelle Carter also her teacher at the same center for the last six months.

Miriam Theodore, a pastor at the First Congregational Church of Whitman offered remarks at the memorial, and event co-organizer Jenn Marley handed out pink pins and helped to light candles during the vigil with friend Heather Clough, both mothers and both of Whitman. Clough spoke at the vigil.

Gently reminding those in attendance to use the vigil to remember the light Lyric brought to those around her.

“As members of the community kids are so important here- there is so much for them to do and there are so many ways for them to express themselves,” Coughlin said to the crowd. “It is a sad occasion and we can only imagine what Lyric could’ve grown up to do and she deserved more.”

Encouraging the use of their voices to make changes Clough encouraged the group to seek out organizations that can assist children alluding to the open court case.

“If you believe things need to change there are organizations to join … to turn the ‘could have- should have’ to ‘I will, I can.’” added Clough.

Teachers from Lyric’s daycare among the crowd were visibly upset as they talked about Lyric’s struggles in the weeks she had been returned to her mother.

Freestone said she raised red flags about the changes in Lyric’s behavior after slowly transitioning out of her grandmother’s care.

“I used to bring Lyric to the worker for DCF,” Freestone said. “I hated to send her but we had to.”

Lyric reportedly died of a non-accidental head injury, which left her on life support. She passed away on Dec. 31.

The open case is currently being processed in Brockton District Court with Shaniqua Leonard of Whitman Lyric’s biological mother being charged with reckless endangerment of a child. She is facing additional charges as the case evolves, according to statements through the Plymouth Country DA Timothy Cruz.

WHITMAN — Whitman Park was teeming with activity as families emerged for a peek at the sun during a spring-like day on Sunday, Jan. 12.

With temperatures reaching over 70 degrees, forecasters and the National Weather Service proclaimed the centuries old record was beat by Sunday’s short heat wave.

Max Capelotti, 6, and his sister Valerie, 4, of Rockland spent time running and jumping around the playground with their mom and dad nearby.  Miles, 8,  and Charlotte Davidson, 10, of Whitman  had races back and  forth on the field  with a  “no jackets” rule catching on quickly as children came down the slide. Another pair of soccer players squared off in shorts one even going shirtless in the sun.

There were no boots or cross-country skis to be seen along the dirt paths. However Jessica Smith walked with her two children Collin, 4, and Annabelle, 6, as they rode their bikes diagonally on the dry fields toward the park.

The Barry-Gill family of Whitman could be heard laughing as they raced down the hill — rolling from the top to the bottom — the flag pole directly behind the Civil War Monument is normally  frozen at this time of year; with parents keeping watch as their children sled down and race back with their snow tubes. The hill was bare Sunday.

The Whitman family normally sleds on the hill, but said they were thrilled to be outside on such a beautiful day.

Mom Sherri Barry-Gill took photos from the bottom of the mound as her daughters and husband Mike Gill rolled as fast as they could towards her.

Amari Romera, 4, of Whitman took a walk with his parents and proudly showed off his Popsicle it appeared that it too was not going to stay cold as he sipped the liquid from the plastic.

Others could be seen walking their dogs, teens on bikes pedaled by and families threw pebbles in the frog pond. Two couples sat on the benches overlooking the pond resting their heads back a bit as if to sun their faces.

An unlit holiday tree somehow appeared out of season on its stand in the middle of the pond. The gift of a cold weather reprieve however short was gladly accepted by so many smiling faces on Sunday.

HANSON – Just two hours before a time of celebration New Year’s Eve, two local men were rescued from the icy waters of Maquan Pond — both found semi conscious and clinging to an overturned canoe.

Hanson Fire Chief Jerome Thomspon said the two men who were still in the hospital as of Wednesday were barely able to communicate when first responders reached them Tuesday night.

Between the time of the 911 calls at 10:35 p.m. for reported “yells  for help” coming from the pond, and the time the firefighters made contact with the men, they had already been in the  ice-covered pond for a half hour.

Firefighters in survival suits deployed an ice rescue sled as they made their way over the ice in darkness however, their boat could not break through the tricky, deceptive thickness of the ice, which made the rescue challenging.

Broken chunks of ice were visible and an overturned canoe that floated inland on Wednesday could be seen wedged off shore behind the Needles Lodge.

The men, who are 50 and 33, are reportedly residents in Hanson but have not been identified by authorities. There has been no clarification on why the men were out in the small craft in the late, frosty night.

Thompson, who praised the efforts of all the responders on Thursday, had emphasized Hanson Fire Department members drill annually in ice rescue and, despite the preparation, each circumstance can be different.

“Any type of rescue is labor intensive,” he said. “It was a coordinated effort – with a positive outcome.”

Both men were transported to South Shore Hospital in Pembroke ambulances suffering from exposure. A Whitman ambulance was called to stand by, and evaluated the firefighters that performed the rescue. Fire personnel were assisted at the scene by Hanson Police.