Five Newton students are currently on tour in Mexico with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO): Newton North violinist Takahiro Higuchi, Newton South violist Olivia Hong and cellist Steven Hu, The Winsor School violinist Isabella Lai, and New England Conservatory cellist Hayden Ren. They are among the 120 students, ages 12 to 21, chosen for the BYPO through highly selective auditions. Now in its twelfth year, the BYPO is acclaimed for its superb and memorable performances. The BPYO’s tuition-free model allows talented young artists from all backgrounds to participate. On its current Mexico tour, under the direction of conductor Benjamin Zander, the BYPO will perform concerts in five cities, conduct workshops and side-by-side rehearsals with more than six youth orchestras, attend master classes with university students, and hold an open rehearsal for local youth musicians.
Levi Mngomezulu, 12, is starring as Kufre in the world stage premiere of Kufre n’ Quay, presented by Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theater. The play runs July 10 – 26 at the Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre (174 Ipswich Street, Boston). It is the fifth of nine plays of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, produced in collaboration with the Huntington Theater. It is Mngomezulu’s first professional role, among a cast of professionals and students from the Boston Arts Academy. Tickets online or by phone: 617-635-6470.
Dr. Regina Wu has received the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Kip Tiernan Award for “extraordinary leadership in philanthropic and human service, [exemplifying] GBFB’s mission through outstanding involvement, dedication, and leadership in working with others to help end hunger in the community.” She is recognized for her role on the Newton Food Pantry’s Board of Directors, where she onboarded professional staff, launched the Freedge program, and secured a donation of land for a new food pantry opening in 2026. She now serves on the board of Food for Free, which aims to advance food justice throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
David Sellers, Executive Director of Newton’s John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, has received the Chief Executive Officer of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs. Through the Boys & Girls Clubs’ federation model of governance, Executive Directors of clubs serve on Councils making key decisions at state and federal levels and providing support and training to clubs’ boards of directors. Sellers is a member of the Massachusetts Area Council and serves as Clerk. The award recognizes his leadership and service at state and local levels.
Susan Kaplan, Carl Cafaro, Jonathan Greer, Elizabeth Kesselman, Bill Keeney, Scott Schute, Ted McAuliffe, Jacqueline R. Blau, Nicholas Cafaro, Erik Morland, Edward Darragh, Jenna Carroll, and Jason DeVito have been recognized on the 2025 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.”
The following residents were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester.
- Quinnipiac University:
Maxwell Amster, Katherine Christianson, Jonathan Eilon (with honors), Alexandra Laurie, Danielle Morrill (with honors), and Jillian Reingold. - Fairfield University:
Ava Bistoff, Angus Chen, Julia Conn, Elizabeth Cosgrove, Anna DiSciullo, Alessia Falchuk, and Dalia Kravets.