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SL Football falls for second straight week

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Last Friday night was far from pleasant for the Silver Lake High football team.

For the second straight week, they met one of the toughest opponents from the Patriot League and because of that, they were handed their second straight loss of the season. This time, the Lakers fell, 61-7 to the Duxbury Dragons at home. The Lakers are now 3-2 on the season.

The Dragons, who are one of the top teams in the state, were dominant in the first half. They scored three touchdowns in the first quarter and three more in the second quarter to take a 40-0 lead headed into halftime. On the other hand, the Lakers struggled to do much of anything when they had possession. On each of the Lakers first six drives of the game, they were unable to get a first down. In fact, they only had two first downs in the first half.

Although the Lakers were overmatched in the bout, they were able to enjoy a moment of success in the loss. Dan Collins had a two-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Earlier on that scoring drive, he had a 57-yard run to give his team the ball in favorable field position. A successful extra point kick made it a 47-7 game at that point.

The Dragons kept playing hard for the rest of the contest, so they were able to add two more touchdowns to further pad their lead. They also continued to prevent the Lakers from doing much offensively.

The Lakers move on to face Plymouth North (1-4) on the road this Friday, Oct. 13 (7:00 p.m. start time). While their upcoming opponent may have a losing record, they have played an exceptionally tough schedule, losing games to Hingham, Duxbury, Whitman-Hanson and Dennis-Yarmouth, who is the best team on Cape Cod.

A win this Friday would essentially guarantee the Lakers a playoff spot.

Silver Lake Girls soccer rolling over competition

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It may come as a bit of a surprise that the Silver Lake High girls’ soccer team started the year at 2-2 with the way they have been playing lately.

Although they had a .500 win percentage early in the season, they have been one of the top teams in the state since. To start the week, they had won seven straight games to improve to 9-2 on the season, putting them in position to be one of the higher ranked teams in the postseason this season. After all, at the start of the week they only needed one more win to clinch a playoff spot with about half of their season remaining.

In that impressive winning streak, the Lakers outscored their foes, 31-1. They shut out six of their seven opponents with Caity Smith giving them strong performances in net.

On the attack, the Lakers have been strong all year. In their 8-0 win over North Quincy on Friday, Oct. 6, they had many different contributors who were able to kick on goals. Calliste Brookshire, Hannah Vogt, Holly Reeder-Morning and Morgan Palma all had strong performances offensively.

The Lakers also made it to the postseason last year, but they are far and away a strong team this season. In 2016, the Lakers enjoyed success, but finished the year 8-8-2. In seven less games this season, they already have more wins.

One major reason the the Lakers have been able to enjoy this sort of success this season is because they have a massive senior class of 13 players. Those seniors include: Melanie Coughlin, Ali Crawford, Carlee Fahey, Emily Ford, Kirsten Ghelfi, Sydney Kehoe, Tayla Mayberry, Shannon Murphy, Morgan Palma, Caity Smith, Meghan Supple, Jillian Wohlgemuth and Morgan Wohlgemuth. Since the Lakers rely heavily on that highly-talented senior class, this is their year to potentially make a deep postseason run.

The Lakers next game is this Saturday, Oct. 14 (4:30 p.m.) against one of the strongest teams in the Patriot League: the Whitman-Hanson Panthers.

A reunion of Halifax firefighters and infant cardiac patient

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In a surprise emotional reunion, parents Colby and Rachel Whelan of Halifax offered their 3-month old daughter Avery to the arms of Captain Matthew Cunningham on Sunday at the Halifax Fire Open House.  With visible emotions, Cunningham cuddled the baby he helped save on July 19.

“She is the best birthday present”, he said as he looked at her bright eyes. The desperate call fell on his birthday, a day he will not soon forget.

“It’s the type of call that you hope you go your whole career without getting,” said Captain Cunningham who spoke after the reunion aside fellow paramedics and Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.

“I’ve been on similar calls that unfortunately didn’t go as well. Luckily for all of us, circumstances could not have been better,” he said

That crucial day they had a full medical crew available, an address neighboring the fire station, and Rachel herself, CPR certified, all working in favor for little Avery who at just 12 days  old  was in full cardiac arrest.

Her training taking over, Rachel was given pre- arrival directions by the 911 dispatcher and paramedics continued to revive Avery moments later until they reached Signature Health Care Brockton Hospital.  Avery had open-heart surgery the next day at Tufts Children’s Hospital in Boston.

“The incredible response time and focus you gave in this emergency- you saved her brain. You saved her life,” said Avery’s father Colby as he spoke to EMTs and Viveiros on Sunday.

Avery will need continuous medical care; however, Rachel describes her as a happy, feisty baby who is doing ‘awesome’. “Better than we can imagine,” she said.

Also responding that day were PJ Hogan, Shamus Ricciarelli, and Joe Gibbons, with Chief Jason Viveiros who drove Rachel to the hospital as medics sped away with her infant.

“That call validates everything that we do, all the years of school and re- certification classes we undergo. That call is why we do what we do. I’m just glad that the outcome was positive and that I was able to be a part of it. “  “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about Avery every single day since July 19. To see Avery come in with her parents completely, neurologically unaffected by what she went through, and being able to hold her, gave me a feeling of satisfaction that I hadn’t yet experienced in my 13-year career,” said Cunningham.

Halifax garden, stop signs, cremation choices

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Meeting with the Halifax Board of Selectmen Tuesday night, Candace Kniffen of the Halifax Beautification Committee, reviewed the rules governing the newly established gift account for the maintenance and upkeep of the Fitzgerald Garden.

Kniffen told the board that donations have been coming in and she and her committee would like to use some of the funds for hiring a landscape company in the spring to do the routine maintenance and upkeep of the garden, which honors the late longtime beloved Halifax volunteer Peg Fitzgerald.

Kniffen also said that she had approached the Silver Lake horticultural program for their help in landscape design and choosing plants that are likely to do well in the garden.  She asked selectmen if they would approve extending the garden plan to include foundation plantings around the Town Hall building itself, to complement the garden.  Their response was a resounding “yes”!

She asked selectmen if they need to acknowledge gifts to the garden account or if the Beautification Committee can do it.  Selectman Kim Roy told Kniffen that they would like to be informed of gifts to the account and might like to send an additional note of appreciation, but that should in no way interfere with her committee sending thank you notes.  Kniffen also said that she mentions at the bottom of her letter to donors that their gift is tax deductible and that the letter should serve as the donor’s receipt for tax purposes.

Abandoned properties

Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told selectmen that the town treasurer has told him she has about 18 abandoned properties in foreclosure, as the town attempts to clean up these parcels and make a plan as to how to get them either into saleable condition, demolish them, or take any other action. 

At the last selectmen’s meeting on Sept. 26, three boards came together to discuss how to deal with these properties that in many cases are a blight to the neighborhoods and can be dangerous.  At that time, Seelig asked their boards’ input on how to craft new by-laws to more easily classify abandoned properties and describe the action(s) to be taken by the town.

Seelig said that he had hoped they would have a new by-law on the special town meeting warrant this November, but information from the boards has been slow to come and rather than have a hastily written by-law which might not serve well, he would like to have a carefully crafted by-law to present to the town at the annual Town Meeting in the spring.  “We have basically run out of time to have them at the Special Town Meeting in November,” Seelig said.  He suggested they delay any action until the May annual town meeting.  “If we’re going to change the multi-family by-law, it needs to be done thoughtfully,” he said.

Special Town Meeting

Selectmen have scheduled the Special Town Meeting for Monday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., pending school availability.

Laurel and Circuit streets ‘Thickly Settled’

Residents of Laurel and Circuit Streets met with selectmen, to plead their case for stop signs at the four-way intersection, as well as signs to limit speed.

Seelig told selectmen that a new bill signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker allows towns to post new signs limiting speed to 25 mph, declaring the area “thickly settled” without all the former testing and red tape.  Seelig sent a notice to all residents of the two streets asking their opinion and he told selectmen that he received a number of responses, all favoring the reduced speed limit and signage.  Police Chief Ted Broderick favors the 25 mph limit, Seelig said.

Philip Salvatore of Laurel Street said that he favors the 25 mph ‘Thickly Settled’ signage.  Selectman Tom Milias said, “This does give law enforcement another tool.”  Gene Lyczynsky of Circuit Street, when asked if he would like to add anything, said, “You guys got it all!” 

Selectmen will confer with the highway surveyor after unanimously voting to implement the plan.

Cremation options

Highway Surveyor Steve Hayward brought in plans for a Cremation Wall to give a dedicated space for cremation urns, rather than have each take up a grave plot.  The Halifax cemetery is running short for space and Hayward said he would like to be able to offer other options.  He brought several photographs of some of the choices available, including a wall with niches for urns, a circular structure with spaces for urns, or a combination of both.  Selectman Milias said he thought the matter was “worth pursuing.”

Selectman Roy asked Hayward, “Do you want to design it?”  “I’d love to,” was Hayward’s answer.

Hayward also told the board that he has had a couple of complaints regarding plantings or decorations being damaged by mowing, and he wants to post the cemetery rules and regs by the water spigots so everyone knows what they are.  Selectmen agreed.

Trucks vs. school buses

Brendan Moquin, representing Morse Bros., appeared before selectmen to answer concerns that their gravel removal operation was interfering with school bus traffic on Lingan Street and Indian Path.

Moquin said that the gravel removal project will be completed within four to six weeks.  He said that he has coordinated with the contractor, and got the school bus schedule so there will be no further interference.

Selectman Troy Garron, who lives in the area, said that he has not seen any further violation.  “Indian Path wasn’t part of the deal.  Never was,” Milias exclaimed. 

“If the rule is broken again, I will be pulling the permit,” Roy told Moquin.  They will not tolerate further interference.

Selectmen’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Harbormen give Lakers first loss of the season

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Not every team can have a perfect season, and the Silver Lake High football team had theirs come to an end last Friday night.

After winning their first three games of the season, the Lakers were handed their first loss of the season, 39-22, by the Hingham Harbormen on the road.

The Harbormen struck first in the game–and it did not take the Lakers long to respond. In the first quarter, Tanner Boyd threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Ohlson to tie the game at six apiece. Boyd completed his pass to Nate Thacker on the 2-point conversion to give his team an 8-6 lead.

That lead would not last very long, however. The Harbormen scored on a 45-yard screen pass under one minute later to take a 12-8 lead. Less than five minutes later, they added another score on a 21-yard quarterback run. They hit their extra point and took a 19-8 lead into halftime.

The Lakers fought back and Phil Lashley (22 carries, 106 yards) scored from two yards out in the third quarter. They also hit their 2-point conversion to make it a 19-16 game.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Harbormen had a 60-yard touchdown pass just 20 seconds later to pad their lead.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Lashley punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to bring the Lakers within five points, but that was as close as they would come to a win.

The Harbormen padded their lead with two more scores in the fourth quarter. First, they threw a 25-yard touchdown pass and a few minutes later, it was a 10-yard touchdown run that gave them a 39-22 lead. At that point, the Lakers did not have enough time to make a comeback.

The Lakers move on to face Duxbury next Friday, Oct. 6 at home (7:00 p.m. start time).

Lakers Boys Golf Looking Strong

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Once again, the Silver Lake high boys’ golf team is likely one of the stronger programs in the Patriot League.

The Lakers, who are off to a 5-2 start to start this week, are coming off a year where they had golfers make it to the Division 2 South Sectional and while that usually indicates a more experienced squad, experience has not been an issue for the team this season.

The team’s top golfer, Dillon Brown is back for his senior year–and, of course, he is the team’s captain since he was also their top performer last season. His co-captain and classmate, Owen Fontaine, also brings some experience to the mix.

Having those two guys at the top of their lineup gives off a vibe that the Lakers have an elder team, but that could not be further from the truth. Four of their six varsity starters will be back next season which could lead to further growth for the team.

What is especially beneficial for the Lakers is that their No. 3-5 varsity regulars will be back for multiple seasons after this year. That shows the potential this team has to excel for a long time. Specifically, sophomore Tyler Mason, freshman Tyler Brown and freshman Mike Sylvester are occupying those spots and the Lakers are winning matches.

Although those might be the golfers who occupy the top spots, the Lakers do have a few more players who can contribute at that level including: junior Dylan Capaccioli, sophomore Kevin Cardarelli and senior Matt Breslin. Since Capaccioli and Cardarelli are returning next season, they are both in a good position to earn everyday roles next season.

The Lakers next meet is Tuesday, Oct. 10 against the Quincy Presidents at home (3:30 p.m. start time). The Lakers play their home matches at the Country Club of Halifax.

Town Counsel explains new marijuana law updates from Town Counsel

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Monday, Atty. Amy Kessel from Kopelman and Paige Law, updated the Plympton Board of Selectmen on new information regarding regulating recreational marijuana.

Nov. 8, 2016, Massachusetts voters approved the Question 4 referendum which made the recreational use of marijuana and marijuana establishments legal. Governor Charlie Baker signed this into law on December 30, 2016.

Kessel said the law “contained inconsistencies and raised many questions.” A revised version of the law was signed by Governor Baker on July 28, 2017, “An Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana.”

The Act makes several changes to the laws that were approved by the voters. According to Kessel, several of these changes addressed regulation at the municipal level.

Kessel said, “The most significant changes from the municipal perspective involve the licensing process, the optional local tax surcharge, and amendments to the optional local restrictions or prohibitions that can be considered.”

Under the new provisions regarding the licensing process, municipalities are allowed to establish a moratorium (delay) on licensing recreational marijuana establishments until December 31, 2018. Kessel informed selectmen that the attorney general is not allowing any moratoriums past this date.

Plympton already has a recreational marijuana moratorium in place until June 2018. Extending it to December is a possibility, but afterwards the town will have to decide on a zone for it.

Selectmen John Traynor said, “I don’t see banning it, given the vote, but we’ll need to have strict laws around it.”

The new act does allow for cities and towns to regulate marijuana in ways they see fit. According to G.L. c.94G, s3, Kessel said, “Municipalities seeking to generally regulate the time, place, and manner of marijuana establishment operations may adopt ordinances and bylaws that impose reasonable safeguards on the operation of marijuana establishments, provided they are not “unreasonably impractical.”’

Other things Kessel mentioned that could be regulated were processing and manufacturing that could be deemed a public nuisance, restrictions on public signs, and setting up civil penalties for violating regulations.

Another optional regulation that municipalities can use is an optional local tax surcharge. Attorney Kessel recommends taking this action.

The act allows a city or town to tax a marijuana sale at 3% the total sales price. This increases from the 2% set up in the previous legislation. The tax does not apply to sales or transfers between other marijuana establishments.

In order for a town to adopt this new sales tax, it must be voted on and passed by a majority at Annual Town Meeting.

The new act also requires that municipalities enter in host community agreements with all recreational and medical marijuana facilities. The act authorizes a community impact fee, in which the town may charge up to 3% of the establishment’s gross sales. Kessel recommends instituting this fee.

Kessel said the impact fee can only be used on things that are “reasonably related” to impact cost. She said something like a D.A.R.E. officer would qualify.

All of these regulations will be overseen under the state’s appointed Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Kessel provided the following timeline of steps the commission took and is taking to start regulating the sale of recreational marijuana.

August 1, 2017-Cannabis Advisory Board

• Appointment of a 25-member Cannabis Advisory Board, with members appointed by a variety of officials and organizations, charged with making recommendations on guidelines, rules and regulations for the recreational use of marijuana.

• The President (or a designee) of the Massachusetts Municipal Association shall hold one seat.

September 1, 2017-Cannabis Control Commission

• Appointment of a five-member Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), by the Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer.

• The CCC will have authority to adopt regulations and issue licenses for commercial production and sale of marijuana, much like the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for alcohol.

• The CCC shall also assume authority over the licensing of medical marijuana treatment centers, which will be transferred from the Department of Public Health before December 31, 2018.

March 15, 2018-CCC Adoption of Regulations

• Adoption of regulations, guidelines and protocols by the CCC for the issuance of licenses for recreational marijuana establishments by this date.

April 1, 2018-Acceptance of License Applications Begins

• Acceptance of applications by the CCC for recreational marijuana licenses pursuant to G.L. c.94G will begin not later than April 1.

• Important: The CCC will be governed by the zoning bylaws or ordinances in effect at the time of the application. Municipalities must inform the CCC of any bylaw or ordinance that would make the applicant noncompliant if the license is issued.

June 1, 2018-License Issuance

• The CCC may begin issuing licenses. The CCC must approve or deny applications within 90 days.

Update on Potential Ring Road/Main Street Project

The Board of Selectmen said Police Chief Patrick Dillon voiced support for the project to widen the intersection of Ring Road and Main Street. Dillion said, “The new design will create better sight lines.”

More police enforcement was also offered as a short-term solution. The Board was told by Chief Dillon that the police department will offer more speed enforcement, especially during school hours. 25 miles per hour speed limit signs are also part of the short-term plan.

The Board of Selectmen said that Chief Dillon believes this intersection is the worst in town.

Town Administrator Hiring Process Update

Community Paradigm informed the Board of Selectmen that 35 applicants in total applied for the town administrator position. Bernie Lynch from Community Paradigm is working on narrowing down the applicant pool to seven candidates.

These seven applicants will move on to interviews with the Board of Selectmen appointed screening committee. Then, the screening committee narrows down the list to three finalists who the Board of Selectmen interview.

Other News

The Board of Selectmen voted to officially sign the contract with Municipal Resources Inc (MRI). MRI will be conducting a study of the operations of the fire department.

The last part of the new Animal Control incident form was approved by the Board of Selectmen. This part of the form was withheld from full approval last week due to some language regarding the Animal Control Officer. The form has since been revised and approved.

The following 1-day liquor licenses were approved by the Board of Selectmen

• Brook Retreat for the October 21, 2017 Black Tie and Blue Jeans on the Bog

• Mirbeau Spa for the October 14, 2017 Cranberry Bog Dinner Excursion

New owners at Plympton Gas and Convenience

A hearing for Plympton Gas and Convenience’s liquor license will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017. The Board said that ownership of the store has been transferred, so the store is not allowed to sell alcohol until they receive a new license.

The same manager and staff were retained by the new owner. Selectmen Chair Christine Joy said, “This might make the background checks quicker, but it could take some time.”

Coveney offers support and hope

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Derek Coveney is following his mission to support and offer hope to others. He recently returned from providing emergency flood relief and clean up with Team Rubicon USA  in some of the hardest hit areas in Texas following Hurricane Harvey. Entire neighborhoods and large expanses of Houston were flooded for weeks and he saw an opportunity to offer hope to those who lost everything.

Derek, now 21, a paid call Halifax firefighter, doesn’t come from a line of public servants. In fact he didn’t know that he would be a firefighter at all, but at the age of ten his world changed.

“10 years ago this October 5th will be my mom’s anniversary. She suffered a brain aneurysm. I found her having a seizure on the floor. She survived the incident and does have physical limits but that  is when I realized what I wanted to be.

I had the Halifax Fire Department here in my house helping me-us,” he said.

Two long- time Halifax firefighters,  Andy Scanlon, now a Pembroke firefighter, and Captain Bosworth gave Coveney hope in a time of crisis and later gave him inspiration to discover his passion to become a first responder.

“It was really cool having the Halifax firefighters there and now I am that person,” he said.

“I saw as a kid that firefighters brought that comfort and I wanted to be that person for someone else. It is amazing. I love being able to be that person … to give someone a chance and not feel hopeless. “

With his service in Texas, he was in charge of a small group who were ripping out wallboard, debris and anything that water may have touched.

The assistance was for some of the many financially challenged areas, some families who did not have insurance to assist with the demolitions.

“We saw that hopeless and helpless look on many faces,” said Coveney.

“We go in and provide ‘muck outs’, which is tearing out anything that has been damaged in the floods, interior debris removal and full demo services. Although the debris is someone’s belongings … that is their stuff, “ he said.

Seeing the immense piles of debris taking up the width of entire streets with water receding was an eye opening, and sometimes emotional, experience for them.

“Seeing resilience as these families came back from being flooded in previous storms, that struck me as amazing.

Nothing compares to working with guys who are there to make a difference. There was a lot of emotions,” he said. 

“We tried to show them (the residents) we had boots on the ground. We were instilling some hope – we were there to help.  Many people lost everything.”

As an incident commander over his volunteers, Coveney said the group offered a vast spectrum of all walks of life – “coming together and bonding like you can never believe,” he said.

There are many volunteers that come out.  Team Rubicon is doing extremely hard labor and they are happy doing it. They come from all walks of life, many retired or current first responders.

A graduate of Silver Lake Regional High, class of 2014, Coveney learned in high school about becoming a first responder.

“They allowed me to be a cadet in the high school for three years. I would go after school to see how the fire service worked. I became a volunteer and I’m continuing to serve. I received the opportunity to be a firefighter and paramedic …  the program got my foot in the door.”

His goal is to eventually become a full time firefighter.

He is looking forward to helping more people in future deployments.

In a statement from his fire chief:

“I’m very proud of Derek and the way he has stepped up to help the people of Texas. He exemplifies what is means to be a public servant,” said Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.

About Team Rubicon:

“Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. With over 48,000 volunteers across the country, Team Rubicon has responded to over 200 disasters across the United States and the world,” according to the Team Rubicon USA website/ Harvey relief. www.teamrubiconusa.org.

SL Football wins exciting game on homecoming

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Maybe it took longer than they wanted, but the Silver Lake High football team was able to prevail on homecoming last Saturday.

In overtime, the Lakers were able to pull off a 20-14 win over the Quincy High Presidents. With the win, the Lakers improved to 3-0 on the year.

The first quarter of the game was rather uneventful. There was no score, although it would not take the Lakers much time at all to take the lead. Midway through the second quarter, Phil Lashley punched in a 4-yard touchdown run to put his team up 6-0.

With three minutes left in the first half, Quincy ended up taking the lead. They returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown. Their extra point attempt was good, which gave them a 7-6 lead. Even so, they would not go into the locker room for halftime with a lead.

The Lakers retook the lead on fourth down with five seconds remaining in the first half. Quarterback Tanner Boyd connected with Diamani Williams on a 25-yard touchdown pass. The Lakers also had a successful 2-point conversion, giving them a 14-7 lead.

In the second half, the Lakers gave up another touchdown and Quincy hit their extra point. Since the Lakers could not score in the second half, the game went into overtime.

The Lakers defense was sharp; they prevented their opponent from scoring on their first overtime possession.

When the Lakers got the ball, however, it did not take them long to score. On their third play, Lashley, who ran for over 150 yards on the day behind a stout offensive line, punched in a 3-yard touchdown to give his team the lead and the win in overtime.

The Lakers move on to face Hingham on the road this Friday, Sept. 29 (7:00 p.m. start).

Laurel Fallis sings National Anthem at TD Garden

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After weeks of preparation, the moment finally arrived. “I’m actually doing this,” said Laurel Fallis, 13, of Plympton.

That’s what was going through her mind as she sang the National Anthem in front of a packed TD Garden at the televised Boston Bruins game Thursday Sept., 21.

“I felt very proud of myself,” said Laurel who is soft-spoken at times but instantly becomes animated as she describes her developing abilities and love for music.

Accompanied by her mom Roseann, dad Kevin, and brother Brennan, 8, who all took in the game.

Laurel was as ready as she could be.

She walked out to the B symbol on the rug over the ice taking her place in the center she had kept her tune with a pitch pipe in hand and she reminded herself to have fun. Then she sang her heart out.

She describes the night with a beaming smile and pure self-satisfaction. 

“You could barely hear the word brave…because the whole stadium was cheering and I heard a gasp. It felt awesome and I was relieved. And… my knees were shaking,” she recalled with a laugh.

After singing in front of thousands of people  … you have to wonder what is next?

Her morning routine includes humming and singing as she readies herself for school at Silver Lake Middle. She is involved in soccer, drama, and volunteers with her Girls Scouts troop.

With help from mom Roseann, they plan to continue to submit videos to numerous upcoming auditions locally and nationally.  When she is old enough, she envisions herself on The Voice.

“Singing for the Bruins was an ‘amazing opportunity’. We are very proud of her,” said Roseann.

Finding out she was accepted to perform at the Bruins game came via a cell phone call from her mom who was at home with the email confirmation.

Fallis imitated in a stage whisper how she reacted when her mom told her the incredible news.

She tried to keep their voice down on an otherwise silent bus as she processed the exciting announcement.

“I had her on my cell phone and I was talking in the phone and she said ‘You got accepted’ I was saying…

”What?  Are you kidding? …that’s nuts,” said Fallis.

She began to rehearse the National Anthem with her vocal coach Martina Ferrante of Plympton.

Fallis also takes piano and guitar lessons with Doug Bangham of Carver School of Music who has been a driving force in her stage confidence, said Roseann

“Doug has been a big part of her comfort, presence, and poise.  Roseann reminded her “you are 13, make sure you have fun!”

She intends to continue local theatre at SLRSD and plans to keep reaching for the next level. She foresees herself with a future career in music but don’t let her quiet demeanor fool you because this young lady has plans to raise the roof.