My Home: Boston Strong

By Katie Curran, staff reporter

I was born in Boston. I've grown up with Boston. Boston is my home. I could have never imagined what had happened to my home of Boston in one week.

    It was April 15, 2013 on a bright sunny morning in Boston.  It was the 118th Boston Marathon, where runners from all across the world come together for a friendly competition.  It was planned to be the perfect day with perfect weather and a perfect day of events. But then everything changed at 2:49 pm.

    I remember where I was at that exact second, in our car on our way to Boston, the perfect way to spend our April Vacation. The Boston Marathon had been bombed. Two bombs were set off, killing 3 and injuring 282 innocent victims (according to more recent reports by the Boston Health Commission). At that second, no one knew it was a bomb.  Reports first said it had been a gas explosion, but everyone quickly found out the real news.  No one knew at the time what the next week would consist of in Boston. A whole story would unfold.  

    Everyone was frantic and upset, and no one knew what was going to happen next.  An unrelated fire broke out at the J.F.K museum. The news began to blow up.  Boylston Street was shut down for an ongoing investigation. The FBI and state police went on a search for the Boston bombers.

    I was staying at a hotel in Cambridge when things began to unravel. A Multi-Faith service was held in South Boston for the public and victims. President Barack Obama, along with a variety of other political and religious leaders, spoke to give their condolences to all those affected by the bombings. Luckily, I was able to head home to the Cape before the city went into lock down. On April 18, the FBI released a video of the two bombers. Overnight, a treacherous series of events occurred, resulting in the loss of life of M.I.T. Officer Sean Collier. I woke up to the news stating that the first bomber had been killed and that the second bomber was on the run.  

    I felt as though I was watching something that was out of a movie on tv.  My eyes were glued to the television as the news covered the intense situation all day.  I had never seen anything like it and probably never will again in my life. After the hard work of dedicated officers, Boston’s mind was eased. The second bomber was caught.

    My April vacation consisted of complete utter shock and disbelief.  However, I noticed that there was one thing that always remained in the hearts of the Bostonians: unity. We are Boston Strong. The community of Boston cannot thank the wonderful first responders and officers enough, who quickly jumped into action to save the lives of so many. Their selfless acts will never be forgotten. They ran towards the explosions not knowing what to expect. They ran into an empty city, not knowing what would turn up at each corner. They risked their lives.

    The injured and killed were helpless and innocent, with lives full of so much potential. Three spectators were killed: Krystle Campbell, Lu Lingzi, and Martin Richard.  They will never be forgotten.  

    Many Americans have reached out to help Boston.  Boston has proven to be extremely resilient and strong. The One Fund Boston has been set up to reach out to those affected and has already raised over $25 million in donations. Everyone in our community has made a difference. We are Boston Strong.

  

Sturgis Baseball Wins Three Games in Historic Week

By Jacob Tobey, staff reporter  

VIDEO: Kyle Garvey strikes out a Sturgis West batter.  Video taken by Jacob Tobey. 

The Sturgis East baseball team had a rough week of play before February vacation. They had high hopes before the season began, but what they hoped to be wins starting off the season became losses. The Storm started off by playing in Nantucket and just could not get anything done offensively, as the opposing pitcher threw a no-hitter (the pitcher did not allow a hit throughout the whole game) in the 5-0 defeat. Sturgis lost their next game in a 14-2 blowout against Pope John Paul, with their defense and pitching out of sorts this time.  

After a week off to regroup and talk about what they needed to do better, the Storm played their rivals, Sturgis West, on Monday, April 22, and won easily 12-0. Senior captain Kyle Garvey was on the mound and pitched masterfully the whole game, collecting seven strikeouts. A milestone was also made by Garvey as he became the winningest pitcher in Sturgis East history with eight wins. Senior captain Ben Duncan was a big contributor with three runs batted in (RBI) and with a great performance at first base. Junior right fielder Austin Taubert was also a factor in the boys’ win as he went 3 for 4 with two singles, an RBI double, and a stolen base. Sophomore Ryan Havey and junior Luke Chevalier were great defensively at second base and shortstop, respectively. 

On Wednesday, the Storm played Nantucket again at their home field of Lowell Park in Cotuit, and beat the Whalers 6-0, becoming the first Sturgis sports team in school history to ever defeat Nantucket. Chevalier pitched a superb complete game shutout, recording nine strikeouts and two walks. Sturgis’s defense was back to its best, committing no fielding errors during the game. Austin Taubert and sophomore left fielder Kevin Agostinelli aided the Storm’s offense, each having two hits and one RBI. 

Connor Bryant commented on how it felt to beat Nantucket in his senior year at Sturgis, “ It was incredible. We had been talking about it for years and had always been on the verge of winning, but always losing at the last moment. To finally pull out the win just really speaks to how good this [Sturgis’s] team is.”

The Storm finished up the week at Upper Cape Tech on Friday, April 26. Coming in with a two game winning streak, the boys wanted to finish the week strongly. They won 3-0 as Garvey pitched another fantastic complete game shutout, striking out 6 batters and improving his win-loss pitching record to 2-1 this season. Agostinelli had two RBI’S and junior Ryan Bracken had one RBI, as well as an outstanding catch at second base to prevent a line drive single. 

Despite the successful week, the Storm was met with very bad news on Thursday, having learned that they will be without their starting second baseman Ryan Havey going forward. Havey is out indefinitely with what seems to be a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. He was having a strong debut season as he just transferred to Sturgis this year, via the lottery, from Sandwich High School. Havey will have a MRI early next week, so look for an update on his status in the coming days. 

Havey discussed his injury with Stormwatch reporter Jacob Tobey, “Well, I’m angry that it happened but I think everything happens for a reason. I think Ryan Bracken will step up [as the new second baseman] and really contribute to the team in a positive way. I’m going to go to physical therapy and try to come back faster and stronger for next year.” 

Having already benefited from a “do it for Havey” mentality against Upper Cape Tech, the Storm will continue to use this injury as motivation to work hard and win. The Storm will look to improve on their current record of 3-2 against Pope John Paul II, clearly the toughest opponent left on the schedule, today at Lowell Park.

Sturgis Baseball Targets “More” Success in 2013

By Jacob Tobey, staff reporter

It’s that time of year again, and opening day for Sturgis baseball  is just a few days away. After a respectable regular season record of  8-8 followed by a loss to West Bridgewater in the state tournament last year, the Storm will seek victory as they open up against Nantucket away this Saturday.

    One of the keys to success this year for Sturgis will definitely be senior captain Kyle Garvey, who has been quite the player in his Sturgis career and looks to continue his excellence in his final season.

    “Well, I think we will go 10 and 6 this year,” Garvey projected in an interview with Stormwatch reporter Jacob Tobey.

    Garvey did not shy away from sharing his own lofty goals for the season as well:  “Personally, I am trying to win 8 games as a pitcher, hit .600 [batting average], make states, and win in the states. I also want to set the Sturgis pitching record for most wins.”  

    Ever since Sturgis baseball has been around, several teams have made it to the state tournament but have never moved on past the first round.  

    Senior captain Connor Bryant commented on this annual obstacle, “We have always said, ‘we need to make the tournament' and we do, but we never get past that first game. This year, our coach's idea for a word to describe our season is ‘more.’ We need to want more, no matter how far we go. This year, our goal is not only to make the tournament, but to be the first Sturgis team to win a game in the tournament."  

    That desire that the team holds will take them a long way and hopefully propel them to success in the tournament. Bryant preaches leadership as he will try to direct a team with three underclassman in the starting lineup and seven underclassmen on the varsity squad overall.  

    "I try my best to lead by example, but I am not the most athletically talented kid, per se, but on the field, I try to be loud, always cheering on my teammates and just giving instructions.”

    With a ratio of eight upperclassmen to seven underclassmen on the varsity roster, chemistry is another big piece of the puzzle in putting a winning team out on the field. Bryant stated, “The team this year is the closest one I have been a part of in my four years [at Sturgis]...Chemistry is key for our team; it is what has made us successful in the past when our level of talent was lower. Now, our chemistry is what is going to put us over the top this year."  

    The Storm clearly want to do well this season, as last season was a disappointment in some of the players’ eyes because Kyle Garvey had injured his back in the first inning of the state tournament game and couldn’t pitch the rest of the way. Sturgis went on to lose 10-2 to West Bridgewater.

    When asked about which game he looks forward to the most, Garvey answered, “Probably Nantucket because we have never beaten them and we should have last year, but we never did”  (Sturgis lost 5-3 and 6-2 last year). Seeing that this is the first opponent on their schedule, Saturday’s game should be one to remember as the Storm travel across Nantucket Sound, ready to check off their first win of many in 2013.