About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
27 06, 2025

Floral Mural Transforms Andrew Square Wall into a Celebration of Community

2025-06-27T10:35:03-04:00June 27th, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News|0 Comments

A colorful flower arrangement has sprung up in the most unlikely of places in Andrew Square, elegantly draping the side of a commercial building at the corner of Preble and Vinton streets. Breathtaking in their large scale and rich hues, the flowers are part of a mural called Nations in Bloom, a public art project is designed to bring joy to the Andrew Square neighborhood. The meaning behind the mural is even deeper than that. The flowers depicted in the mural represent the various nationalities of those who live in Andrew Square and call the neighborhood home. If ever a wall begged for a mural, the bleak concrete expanse at the rear of 313 Old Colony Avenue was one. Last fall, leaders of the Andrew [...]

18 06, 2025

Honoring Service, Inspiring Hope

2025-06-18T19:56:00-04:00June 18th, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News|Comments Off on Honoring Service, Inspiring Hope

11th Annual Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarships Celebrate Legacy and Lift Future Leaders The 11th annual Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarship Awards ceremony, celebrated recently at Castle Island, was filled with pride, remembrance, and hope for the future. Hosted on sacred ground with the support of the Castle Island Association, the ceremony honored not only the legacy of Timothy Cook, a U.S. Navy Corpsman and Southie native, but also the promise and potential of local students who carry his spirit forward. Since its founding, the Timothy "Doc" Cook Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 to deserving young people, thanks to the continued generosity of neighbors, local businesses, unions, and organizations whose support has been both financial and deeply personal, said Joe Cook. The foundation, which aims [...]

13 06, 2025

2025 Graduate Justin Pina

2025-06-13T09:48:12-04:00June 13th, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on 2025 Graduate Justin Pina

Popular Excel High senior, nineteen-year-old Justin Pina, can almost make it look easy. Graduating with a 3.7 grade point average, the oldest of four boys, he is headed to Bridgewater State University in the fall, one school among many where he was accepted. “I went to the Condon, 1-8, and then Excel, 9-12, so have only been in South Boston. It is home, and I wanted to always come back to the schools. But now, Excel will be closing as it is now and there will be something different. That is sad to me. I liked it there and made a good connection with the teachers. There was a lot of respect, especially Mr. Laporte and Ms. Hwang. They were both a big help and [...]

10 06, 2025

Meet the Graduate: Brenny O’Brien

2025-06-10T16:08:00-04:00June 10th, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Meet the Graduate: Brenny O’Brien

By Carol Masshardt  Boston Arts Academy and South Boston’s Brenny O’Brien have proven to be one good fit.  She graduated with Honors in Theatre and Community Service, and a proud record of achievement. “When I was 3 years old, I saw a play and said, ‘I’m going to do that.’ I started performing at 4 and had my first professional role at 7, and it has gone on from there,” she said. Already an Actors Equity Guild member, Brenny has performed in numerous productions and is impressively well-versed in all aspects of theater. “I didn’t always love school until Boston Arts Academy,” she said. Among other staff, Maura Tighe, Artistic Director at BAA, was pivotal in Brenny’s development. “She got me the first audition from [...]

9 06, 2025

Meet the Graduate: Devoney DeBarros

2025-06-09T16:34:21-04:00June 9th, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Meet the Graduate: Devoney DeBarros

By Carol Masshardt Eighteen-year-old Devoney DeBarros, from South Boston, is graduating from Madison Park Technical Vocational School with an impressive record. A Herald-recognized Scholar-Athlete, he will soon graduate with recognition/honors in Math, College Writing, Biology and History. There is more still to know about and celebrate this senior, headed to Wentworth in the fall. “My dream is to make my mother proud,” he said. Devoney seems to know who he is and what matters beyond many his age. He is the second of four children of Janet Iraola, who works at the Hennigan School. His father, David Medeiros, works at the Marriott, and he is aware of their work and values. “My mother has done everything for me, and I want to return it. She [...]

4 06, 2025

Councilor Flynn to Hold CPA Information Session June 11th, 5:30-7pm

2025-06-04T14:23:20-04:00June 4th, 2025|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on Councilor Flynn to Hold CPA Information Session June 11th, 5:30-7pm

City Councilor Ed Flynn will host his annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) Information Session in partnership with the CPA Team on Wednesday, June 11th from 5:30pm-7pm in the cafeteria of Tynan Elementary School. This session is an opportunity to explore how residents can use CPA funds and learn how to preserve or create impactful projects in their communities. While South Boston organizations and applicants have been awarded millions of dollars toward worthwhile projects, the community also lacked any applications last year. Councilor Flynn is calling on neighbors and community organizations to apply this summer and ensure that the neighborhood also receives its fair share of CPA funding this coming round and beyond. Please note the deadline to submit an eligibility determination form for the FY [...]

29 05, 2025

2025 Graduate Callie Eastman

2025-05-29T09:00:23-04:00May 29th, 2025|Categories: Education|Comments Off on 2025 Graduate Callie Eastman

Graduating from the Boston Latin School, 18 year old  Callie Eastman is headed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to begin a new adventure. Any sprots team would be fortunate to have her in the stands as a loyal and enthusiastic fan, and she expects her new environment will offer that and more! “I chose LSU in part because of the warmer weather (though it is actually hot,) but really because of the spirit. When I visited the campus, everyone wore school colors, and there was a positive spirit. I never really played sports, but I love everyone being together. It was what I liked most about Boston Latin School. It didn’t matter how good the team was, but going with my friends was awesome,” she [...]

27 05, 2025

2025 Graduates: Meet Cate Martin

2025-05-27T09:55:45-04:00May 27th, 2025|Categories: Education|Comments Off on 2025 Graduates: Meet Cate Martin

By Carol  Masshardt “In my opinion, my class is the best in the world,” said Catherine “Cate” Martin. Soon to graduate from Excel High School with a 4.02 grade point average, her  accomplishments and talents are beyond what grades can measure.  It is easy to imagine that the spunk, thoughtfulness, wit, and artistic ability will carry this UMass-Boston bound and lifelong South Boston daughter far into a bright future. “My junior and senior years at Excel were great. It opened up a bigger social group. Friends I made were the highlight. People from other countries, like Cape Verde, became good friends, and that is just cool and awesome,” she said. Her interests are many and she brings imagination to life and learning. Cate’s drawings and [...]

22 05, 2025

South Boston Celebrates Opening of Rebuilt Little League Field Honoring Heroes

2025-05-22T19:04:19-04:00May 22nd, 2025|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News|Comments Off on South Boston Celebrates Opening of Rebuilt Little League Field Honoring Heroes

South Boston marked a proud and emotional milestone with the grand opening of the Thomas C. Foley Field at Major Christopher F. Lee Playground Wednesday evening. The long-awaited restoration was celebrated in a spirited ceremony attended by city officials, community members, and the families of the field’s namesakes. Joe Christino, president of South Boston Little League, opened the evening by thanking the community, city officials, and generous supporters who made the new field possible. “I'm really thrilled to finally be here tonight to be opening this field. It's been a long time coming,” he said. “I want to thank everyone for being here tonight, including our board of directors, coaches, volunteers, umpires, and most importantly, all the young players in our league who are going [...]

5 05, 2025

Councilor Flynn Calls For 7 Night “Resident Parking Only” In South Boston

2025-05-05T10:22:00-04:00May 5th, 2025|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Councilor Flynn Calls For 7 Night “Resident Parking Only” In South Boston

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss implementation of a 7 nights per week “Resident Parking Only” policy in all areas of South Boston that do not currently have overnight parking restrictions. For several years, Councilor Flynn made this recommendation for many reasons - including in the interest of fairness and consistency with residents in neighborhoods throughout South Boston, as City Point has had 7 nights per week “Resident Parking Only” for over a decade, as well as other neighborhoods in similar proximity to Downtown currently having enforcement of an even stricter “24/7 “Resident Parking Only” policy than what Councilor Flynn is proposing. For years, residents have highlighted the impact of decades of unprecedented growth in South Boston on parking and [...]

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