Category: Winchester News

  • Sen. Jason Lewis, state officials warn Winchester residents about federal cuts’ effects on state budget

    Sen. Jason Lewis, state officials warn Winchester residents about federal cuts’ effects on state budget

    Sen. Jason Lewis invited Chris Marino and Vivianna Abreu-Herández to a virtual meeting to discuss this year’s state budget. WINCAM/WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/TAVISHI CATTOPADHYAY

    State Sen. Jason Lewis hosted a meeting in late February with constituents to discuss the effects of federal tax cuts on the state budget.

    “The state budget is the most important piece of legislation that our state lawmakers and Gov. [Maura] Healey debate and pass every single year,” said Lewis, a Democrat who represents the 5th Middlesex District.

    Lewis recently announced he will not seek re-election in November.

    Lewis was joined by Viviana Abreu-Hernández, president of MassBudget, a public policy research and advocacy group, and Christopher Marino, assistant secretary for budget at the Massachusetts Office of Administration and Finance.

    Healey’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget of $62.8 billion represents a $1.8 billion increase over the 2026 budget. The budget’s funding, which mainly comes from taxes and federal funds, is allocated to hundreds of accounts and programs.

    Some of these programs are at risk, said Herández, because of what is happening at the federal level.

    President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which Congress approved in July, contained tax cuts that will cost the state $636 million this year, Hernández said.

    The federal tax cuts cause a domino effect to the state level that could hit human services programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Medicaid, DEI initiatives and caps on student loans, Hernández said.

    “What they are currently doing is the opposite of Robin Hood,” Hernández said. “They are taking from the poor by increasing eligibility criteria, reducing benefits and cutting the budget for these safety net programs that helped the most vulnerable population.”

    A few suggestions from grassroots organizations may help combat this revenue loss, Hernández said.

    The main solution is to opt out of enforcing federal tax cuts on the state level, she said. Another suggestion is to change the Global Intangible Low-Tax Income provision – which targets income from intangible assets such as patents, intellectual property, licenses and trademarks – from a dividend to income, subjecting it to higher taxes.

    Another concern Hernández has is this year’s ballot question that seeks to cut the state income tax from 5% to 4% over three years. It would require a $5 billion cut to the state budget, she said.

    Hernández suggested working opposite the federal government by increasing progressive revenue.

    In her proposed budget, Marino said, Healey prioritized maintaining state-local partnerships, investing in education, sustaining the transportation system, providing funding to vulnerable populations, supporting affordable and accessible housing, and ensuring that Massachusetts remains an economic hub.

    The major cost drivers in the budget are state employee health insurance, public school funding and safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

    The Massachusetts House of Representatives will present its own budget proposal in April, and the Senate will do the same in May. House and Senate members will negotiate the budget before sending it to Healey for a vote by July 1.

    In the public comment portion of the meeting, Jason Chen, a city councilor from Melrose, asked what scenarios panelists were planning for in the event of future federal cuts.

    Martino said the Healy administration had assembled a team to review federal policies and prepare for policies that could become national policies.

    Hernández reiterated the need to decouple from federal tax cuts and target multi-million-dollar corporations that hide money and avoid taxes and while making revenue off Massachusetts consumers. Lewis is sponsoring a bill to switch GILTI income from being classified as a dividend to income, increasing the amount corporations are taxed to the maximum federal law allows.

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester Community Music School set to expand, upgrade

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay

    The big events in Winchester Community Music School always take place in Nichols Performance Hall. With the school and its performances’ growing in popularity, the hall and many of its amenities are due for an upgrade.

    The performance hall is one of the main areas that the school seeks to enhance by fall as part of its SoundBreaking campaign, which aims to provide students with better music technology and renovate the building.

    The performance hall is especially important to the school, as it hosts more than 150 concerts with around 5,500 to 6,000 audience members in attendance throughout the year.

    Dianne Carboni, a 40-year-old adult learner at the school, recalled the Broadway on Highland performance drawing a big crowd. Even with every chair being filled, some people had to watch from the hallway.

    “It was nice because everyone was there to appreciate it,” Carboni said. “But, at the same time, it was funny because [the crowds] are getting bigger. More people want to come.”

    Renovations to the hall will include more seats; the new hall will have 135 seats, compared to the 80 seats in the original. It will also have improved acoustics, recording and livestreaming capabilities, and a design centering on ensemble performances.

    A rendering of the brand new concert hall at the Winchester Community Music School from the stage. COURTESY PHOTO/WINCHESTER COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

    Other expansions to the building will include dedicated studios for ensemble, percussion and private lessons. The building will have ADA-compliant upgrades.

    The vision for the expansion started in 2012 when student families and donors described the need for a larger performance space.

    The expansion will cost $5.7 million, and the school has reached 62% of its funding goal.

    Laurie Russell, the school’s executive director, said the funding comes from individual donations and grants.

    Even with the renovations, students will continue to learn in its facilities. The company doing the renovations, Burke Property Services, and school officials are coordinating on which areas are placed under construction and which will remain open.

    The nonprofit Winchester Community Music School has grown steadily since its inception in the 1980s as a program created by Corie Nichols and Sandy Thompson and run out of McCall Middle School.

    At first, the program had 30 students and three teachers. Now, the school, housed at 407 Highland Ave., has over 1,100 students and 60 teachers.

    The school provides lessons and ensembles to students and adult learners. Some of the adults have joined after seeing the success and enjoyment their children had from taking lessons there.

    Garrett Nagle, 58, started taking lessons after seeing how one of the instructors, James Doran, interacted with his youngest son, Cameron, during lessons and performances. While Nagle had dabbled in the guitar before, he said the school let him fully embrace his musical passion.

    “Jim just kind of brought me to another level,” Nagle said.

    Students, particularly adult learners, are drawn to the school’s community and the ability to perform in various ensembles and bands.

    Winchester Community Music School faculty, staff and students with the renderings of the new lobby and performance hall space. COURTESY PHOTO/WINCHESTER COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

    Andrew McCullough, a 74-year-old retired physician, is part of a few bands at the school. Though McCullough’s background in music goes back to his childhood, he’s only started playing violin and clarinet in the past few years. Now he’s formed a clarinet quartet.

    “It’s fun when you make music together,” McCullough said.

    McCullough said he is happy he gets to show younger students that music doesn’t have to end when their parents stop paying for lessons.

    “It’s a huge benefit to the community to be able to have a space where people can get together, adults and kids,” he said. “Kids can see adults playing music and say, gee whiz, there’s something to playing the violin.”

    The expansion plan has given students and their families something to look forward to.

    Russell recalled being in the lobby, watching a father and daughter planning out their new routes to class and where their performances would take place. The two were “grinning ear to ear,” Russell said.

    “It was just so fabulous to see that the families are super excited about what this means for them,” she said.

  • Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence hosting 23rd Trivia Bee

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay

    Winchester’s brightest fifth graders and adults will gather soon to compete in a fierce trivia competition that will raise money for Winchester schools.

    The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE), a nonprofit that provides grants for Winchester’s public schools, will host its 23rd annual trivia bee March 11 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

    Each adult team pays a $375 registration fee. Usually, the event raises between $16,000 and $18,000.

    The money goes toward grants in Winchester Public Schools. Grants have funded experiences and resources for students, including a visit from an archaeologist and new biotech equipment for science classrooms.

    The event begins with five teams of three fifth graders – one team from each of the five elementary schools competing in a round of trivia for a trophy, a stuffed bee sitting on a plaque, that will be kept in the winning school for a year.

    Last year, the fifth-grade team from Lincoln Elementary School won the fifth-grade Trivia Bee round. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Then, teams of three adults take to the floor to compete in seven rounds of trivia, with the winners of the first five rounds competing against one another in the remaining rounds. There are usually 56 teams for the adult portion, and the winning team will receive a trophy.

    “It’s a really incredible community event that brings together people that would normally never be in the same room,” said Maggie Vande Vrede, the foundation’s executive director.

    This year’s emcee will be Britney DeLorme, the head of the children’s services at the Winchester library. DeLorme will create questions for each of the trivia categories including pop culture, geography, history, sports and literature.

    Volunteers often dress up as bees, and attendees are encouraged to dress up as well to win the costume contest that runs alongside the event.

    In the past participants have dressed up in bee-themed costumes, while others have gotten more creative.

    Elana Rudiger, president of the education foundation, recalls a team dressing up as Wednesday Addams of “The Addams Family” a few years ago. Vande Vrede’s favorite was when a team, the BeeLTs from last year’s bee, dressed up as the ingredients of their namesake.

    The trivia bee is open to all, drawing in a crowd not just of competitors but also of onlookers, who come to cheer on their favorite teams.

    Last year’s winners were Lincoln Elementary’s fifth-grade team and the Parental Prodigies, the Winchester High School Parent and Faculty Association team. Winning the bee is a “great community honor,” Rudiger said.

    John McMahan, a second-grade teacher at Lynch Elementary School, has been participating in the trivia bee consistently since he started at the school 10 years ago.

    While the elementary school’s faculty team hasn’t won the bee, the fifth-grade team has. McMahan likened the atmosphere in Lynch that year to seeing Tom Brady win the Super Bowl.

    “They show off what they know, which is obviously really cool as a teacher,” McMahan said. “But then at the same time, seeing them get so jazzed up for a community event I love.”

    Last year, the adult trivia winners were the Parental Prodigies from Winchester High School. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Though many go for their love of trivia, the fifth-grade trivia round is always beloved by the crowd.

    “There’s a lot of pride there and a lot of excitement,” Vande Vrede said. “They always bring a crowd.”

    While trivia is competitive, the atmosphere in the town hall during the bee is lighthearted. Attendees quickly overcome their nerves once they sit on the trivia stage.

    “No matter how stressed out you are, you realize you’re doing it for fun,” Rudiger said. 

    Though the Trivia Bee tests competitors’ knowledge, it is also widely loved for the way it builds community within Winchester.

    “It’s one of those things that not every town has, but every town should because it’s just such a fun way to get the community together,” Rudiger said.

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence hosting 23rd Trivia Bee

    Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence hosting 23rd Trivia Bee

    The BeeLTs from last year’s Trivia Bee dressed up as a combination of a bee and the ingredients of BLTs, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Winchester’s brightest fifth graders and adults will gather soon to compete in a fierce trivia competition that will raise money for Winchester schools.

    The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE), a nonprofit that provides grants for Winchester’s public schools, will host its 23rd annual trivia bee March 11 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

    Each adult team pays a $375 registration fee. Usually, the event raises between $16,000 and $18,000.

    The money goes toward grants in Winchester Public Schools. Grants have funded experiences and resources for students, including a visit from an archaeologist and new biotech equipment for science classrooms.

    The event begins with five teams of three fifth graders – one team from each of the five elementary schools competing in a round of trivia for a trophy, a stuffed bee sitting on a plaque, that will be kept in the winning school for a year.

    Last year, the fifth-grade team from Lincoln Elementary School won the fifth-grade Trivia Bee round. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Then, teams of three adults take to the floor to compete in seven rounds of trivia, with the winners of the first five rounds competing against one another in the remaining rounds. There are usually 56 teams for the adult portion, and the winning team will receive a trophy.

    “It’s a really incredible community event that brings together people that would normally never be in the same room,” said Maggie Vande Vrede, the foundation’s executive director.

    This year’s emcee will be Britney DeLorme, the head of the children’s services at the Winchester library. DeLorme will create questions for each of the trivia categories including pop culture, geography, history, sports and literature.

    Volunteers often dress up as bees, and attendees are encouraged to dress up as well to win the costume contest that runs alongside the event.

    In the past participants have dressed up in bee-themed costumes, while others have gotten more creative.

    Elana Rudiger, president of the education foundation, recalls a team dressing up as Wednesday Addams of “The Addams Family” a few years ago. Vande Vrede’s favorite was when a team, the BeeLTs from last year’s bee, dressed up as the ingredients of their namesake.

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    The trivia bee is open to all, drawing in a crowd not just of competitors but also of onlookers, who come to cheer on their favorite teams.

    Last year’s winners were Lincoln Elementary’s fifth-grade team and the Parental Prodigies, the Winchester High School Parent and Faculty Association team. Winning the bee is a “great community honor,” Rudiger said.

    John McMahan, a second-grade teacher at Lynch Elementary School, has been participating in the trivia bee consistently since he started at the school 10 years ago.

    While the elementary school’s faculty team hasn’t won the bee, the fifth-grade team has. McMahan likened the atmosphere in Lynch that year to seeing Tom Brady win the Super Bowl.

    “They show off what they know, which is obviously really cool as a teacher,” McMahan said. “But then at the same time, seeing them get so jazzed up for a community event I love.”

    Last year, the adult trivia winners were the Parental Prodigies from Winchester High School. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Though many go for their love of trivia, the fifth-grade trivia round is always beloved by the crowd.

    “There’s a lot of pride there and a lot of excitement,” Vande Vrede said. “They always bring a crowd.”

    While trivia is competitive, the atmosphere in the town hall during the bee is lighthearted. Attendees quickly overcome their nerves once they sit on the trivia stage.

    “No matter how stressed out you are, you realize you’re doing it for fun,” Rudiger said. 

    Though the Trivia Bee tests competitors’ knowledge, it is also widely loved for the way it builds community within Winchester.

    “It’s one of those things that not every town has, but every town should because it’s just such a fun way to get the community together,” Rudiger said.

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester Walks in Solidarity with Minnesota, immigrant neighbors

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay

    As snow fell on Feb. 7, more than 100 people gathered at the Griffith Museum to walk to Crawford Memorial Church in a show of solidarity with immigrants amid nationwide ICE raids, arrests and deportations.

    “Winchester in Solidarity: Walking With Our Neighbors” was organized by the political activism group IndivisibleWin, the Network for Social Justice (NFSJ), and local faith leaders and community members to show support for immigrants, due process, democracy and community.

    ‘Winchester in Solidarity: Walking With Our Neighbors’ attendees walk out of the First Congregational Church holding various signs. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/TAVISHI CHATTOPADHYAY

    Communities across the country have planned events and demonstrations in support of the Twin Cities, which have seen frequent clashes between residents and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, and the arrests of thousands of immigrants.

    Rebecca Slisz, executive director of NFSJ, received emails and texts from faith leaders and community members suggesting she organize something. Ultimately, an email from Lily Werner, a Winchester High School student who had interned at NFSJ, was the final push to start organizing.

    “It just felt like the right time to do something visible in Winchester to show our concern for what is happening,” Slisz said.

    Left, A memorial listing the names of people who lost their lives to ICE. Attendees placed candles in front of it. Right, A sign from the ‘Winchester in Solidarity: Walking with Our Neighbors’ leans against a pew at the Crawford Memorial Church. It reads “ICE and DHS Out of Massachusetts.” WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/TAVISHI CHATTOPADHYAY

    The crowd was given candles and pamphlets before leaving around 4 p.m. to walk to the first stop, the First Congregational Church.

    During the walk, participants held signs with phrases such as “Ice Makes for a Slippery Slope,” “ICE and DHS Out of Massachusetts” and “When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty.” Many had come to show their frustration about the Trump administration’s actions in Minneapolis and around the country. 

    “Given all the chaos at the federal level, I think it’s important that we think about what we can do locally,” said John Bellaire, a candidate for School Committee.

    Others had joined the walk for the connection with their community members and speak with a collective voice.

    A variety of speakers and Cantor Beth Levin, who sang and played guitar, during the ‘Winchester in Solidarity: Walking with Our Neighbors’ event. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/TARA HUGHES

    “This is one of the few times we have the opportunity to speak as a community,” said Sue Doubler, an associate professor teaching science education at Lesley University.

    Once the crowd reached the church, there was a brief intermission with remarks from faith leaders and community members, and a musical performance from Cantor Beth Levin, who sang and played guitar. Attendees sang along to “Hold On,” a new protest song written by Minneapolis singer-songwriter Heidi Wilson, and “This Little Light of Mine.”

    The speeches emphasized the importance of supporting Winchester’s immigrant neighbors.

    “We will walk in solidarity with immigrants and all those who demand to be governed by laws,” said Bruce Alexander, a First Congregational Church member who took to the podium.

    Winchester residents and families came out to protest ICE and support their neighbors on Saturday, Feb. 7. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/TARA HUGHES

    The walk ended with another set of remarks from the faith leaders of Crawford Memorial Church, before attendees were encouraged to join the church for its annual chili cook-off, which benefits New England Justice for Our Neighbors, an organization offering free legal aid to immigrants seeking humanitarian-based visas.

    As people started to file out of the church pews, they passed a memorial listing the names of people who were killed by ICE agents and placed their candles in front of it.

    A sign at the ‘Winchester in Solidarity: Walking with Our Neighbors’ at the Crawford Memorial Church on Feb. 7. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/TARA HUGHES

    “We’re here for you,” Silsz said. “There are people in Winchester, community members, town stakeholders who care.”

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester Chamber of Commerce debuts successful first health and wellness fair

    Winchester residents try out the pickleball court on stage at the Winchester Chamber of Commerce’s first health and wellness fair in Town Hall. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/DANIELLE KRANTZ

    Hundreds of Winchester residents gathered at Town Hall Saturday for the Winchester Chamber of Commerce’s first health and wellness fair.

    Spring Into Wellness featured interactive demonstrations and activities, including pickleball, a trampoline workout, a presentation on avoiding scams and Winchester Community Music School performances.

    Attendees could also participate in giveaways and sample goods from local businesses.

    The event kicked off with a performance from the Pineapple Posse Ukulele Ensemble, the music school’s new adult ukulele group.

    Winchester residents check out the Chamber of Commerce’s health and wellness fair. Many local businesses participated in the event. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/DANIELLE KRANTZ 

    Dana Garmey, executive director of the Winchester Chamber of Commerce, said the idea for the fair came from neighboring chambers organizing similar events.

    “I think Winchester residents want to support local businesses,” Garmey said. “They might not know these small businesses are here in Winchester. So it’s a great opportunity for everyone to know each other.”

    The fair featured local businesses, health professionals and wellness advocates, all offering resources to help community members lead healthier lives. Thirty-three vendors attended, including Elite Freestyle Karate, PDA Dental Group, Friends of Winchester Recreation, Winchester Meals on Wheels and Turbo CrossFit.

    Lauren Herrmann, a Friends of Winchester Recreation member, said her organization joined the fair after hearing about it from Garmey.

    “We attend the same gym in town, which is Turbo CrossFit,” she said. “And she pulled me aside and just said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this great event coming up. Your mission and vision, you know, fit perfectly within it.’ And that was how we got involved.”

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    The pickleball demonstration, organized by Friends of Winchester Recreation, gave attendees tips and tricks and instructions on how to sign up. The group is trying to raise money to build dedicated pickleball courts.

    Music therapist Shayla McDermott, representing the Winchester Community Music School, discussed the therapeutic benefits of music.

    “One of my goals is just to allow more people to know about music therapy to build awareness,” said McDermott, whose school serves about 900 adults and children. “And I think music, whether it’s through music therapy or music education, brings so much wellness to people’s lives and also to the community as a whole.”

    The fair featured a variety of healthful food vendors. Playa Bowls offered free smoothie bowls, Nourish Your Soul had cold-pressed juice, while the Winchester Savings Bank provided bagels from The Bagel Bar.

    The fair included options for people interested in holistic approaches, including free massages, herbal tea and aromatherapy. Acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Lisa Jensen treats people with acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping and other forms of eastern medicine.

    A look at the Chamber of Commerce spring wellness fair. WINCHESTER NEWS STAFF PHOTO/DANIELLE KRANTZ 

    “It’s been really fun, sort of getting acquainted with neighbors and friends and also just growing my business,” Jensen said. “I think it really is just forming connections and getting to know people.”

    Henry Rolfe, an instructor at Elite Freestyle Karate, said the fair was great for the community to get to know local businesses.

    “I think it helps with showing just how much versatility there is in the community, as well as a place to bring not only friends and family but children as well, and give them something to look forward to,” Rolfe said.

    Garmey said the chamber hopes to make the fair an annual event.

    “What I’ve seen here today is that the businesses are networking with each other, and I think that is really important,” Garmey said. “And they’re making connections, and they’re going to follow up after the fair, which I think is really cool.”

    This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester students earn spots in competitive music festival

    More than half of the Winchester High School students who auditioned for the Senior District Festival have been selected for the competitive music event.

    The Senior District Festival, hosted by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Northeast District, is scheduled for Jan. 10, with the concert band and orchestra performing at 10 a.m., followed by the jazz band and chorus at noon.

    Students performed Nov. 15 for judges who ranked their auditions, selected top performers for ensembles, and recommended standout musicians for All-State Festival auditions, said Mary Costello, music director for Winchester Public Schools.

    “So it’s kind of an all-star type of experience for the kids,” Costello said. “It’s really quite an honor for the kids to be selected and then be part of a whole series of festivals.”

    Musicians from the Northeast Senior District Festival stand with their instruments moments after completing their performance. COURTESY PHOTO/CAMILLE GLANCEY

    For many students, such as Ha Yong Choi, a senior at Winchester High School, the process involves a blend of independent practice and mentorship. She is part of the choir and auditioned as a singer for the festival.

    “I practice two days per week. And I keep listening to my solo.” Choi said. “Mr. [Joel] Buford, my choir teacher, he helped me a lot. I came to Mr. Buford and checked sometimes, like, ‘Do I seem right?’”

    Camille Glancey, a Winchester senior who plays the cello, recalled being overwhelmed the moment she walked into North Andover High School.

    “Everyone is carrying some sort of case, or they’re singing to themselves, which is, I think, really fun to see,” she said.

    ​​When her number was called, she and the only other Winchester cellist were led to the quieter audition rooms. Waiting outside, she said, her nerves peaked.

    “Once the person before you leaves the classroom, then the judge will call you in,” Glancey said. “Then the next thing you know, it’s over and you’re walking back.”

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    Costello said the courage to audition is as commendable as success itself.

    “Auditioning is a scary thing,” she said. “It’s an intimidating thing. It takes a lot of preparation. It’s brave.”

    That bravery paid off for Winchester students this year. Out of roughly 60 auditionees, 30 were selected for the festival, and 18 moved on to All-State auditions, including Choi and Glancey.

    Glancey said she improved each year, moving from the 16th chair as a sophomore to the 4th chair this year, earning her the chance to audition for All-State.

    For Choi, who had auditioned since her sophomore year, success came with its own mix of relief and excitement.

    “I was kind of nervous this year because I thought I did really bad on my solo piece,” she said. “But I also really [wanted] to get [into] All-State also this year. So I was like, even if I get into senior district, I might not get into All-State. But I got a really high score. I was really happy.”

    Both she and Glancey highlighted the support and encouragement from teachers and peers as essential to their preparation. Students often practiced together, offered feedback and motivated each other despite the event’s competitive nature.

    Selected students will spend three days in intensive rehearsals, culminating in a final performance in early January. Those moving on to All-State will face even more practice and competition, including auditions in late January and a performance in March.

    Costello reflected on what makes the process meaningful.

    “I’m actually more proud of the number of kids who took the audition than I am for the ones that I’m obviously proud of, the kids who were successful in their audition,” she said. “We’re happy for the kids who were successful. It shows their commitment, how hard they’ve been working.

    Aayushi Datta is a student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.