Happenings

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 [...]

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 [...]

By Rick Winterson The South Boston Neighborhood House is holding its Annual Benefit and Auction gala Friday, March 28 from 6-10 p.m. at the Seaport Hotel. You are invited to attend “the House is Where the Heart is” event to dine, drink, dance, and do good for the community.  In Executive Director Kathy Lafferty’s words, it’ll be a real gala. Many of you know about the gala’s Live Auction that occurs every year. This year's nine Live Auction items include concerts, sporting events, and private dining that is nothing short of elegant. And the 2025 Silent Auction is already underway – just log onto the www.sbnh.org website and go to the auction link. You can then bid electronically on any of these Silent Auction items or you can [...]

By Ginger DeShaney In a remarkable hands-on experience, a group of Condon Community Center kids built a 10-foot row boat from scratch, learning not only the art of crafting a boat but also gaining valuable life lessons along the way.  These young builders – Jacob Davis, 11; Charlie Brea, 9; Naib Yohannes, 10; and Marcus Lacaussade, 11 – worked tirelessly over the course of several weeks to build the boat they named the “Billy Allen” in honor of an amazing Condon coach who was promoted to a different community center. They even brought it to a boat show! Under the guidance of instructor Tim Smith from Community Boat Building, the kids learned how to safely handle tools, measure and cut materials, and assemble the boat [...]