West Orange HS Sports Media Association Marks 2 Big Milestones

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news releases come courtesy of the West Orange High School Media Association. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The West Orange High School Sports Media Association (WOHSSMA) is celebrating an incredible milestone: 1 million views of their 10,000+ photos captured since the organization’s inception in Spring 2022! This is a remarkable achievement that showcases the dedication and hard work of the team behind the camera.

The photos include a wide range of subjects, from media day headshots to action photos, special events, and more. These images capture the excitement and energy of high school sports, giving community members and fans a glimpse into the world of their favorite local teams and neighborhood players.

The WOHSSMA has pioneered the makings of a visual record of the school's sports history, and their work and stories will be enjoyed by generations to come. This milestone is not only an achievement for the team behind the camera but also for the school, the players, coaches, community, and the fans. Their work will help to keep memories alive and allow people to relive the moments that made high school sports so special.

"The West Orange High School Sports Media Association has truly outdone themselves with this incredible milestone. Their dedication to capturing the energy and excitement of our school's sports programs is evident in every single photo they take. Their work brings the community together. We are so proud of their achievement and can't wait to see what they accomplish next." said Assistant Athletic Director/Advisor Peter Ficuciello.

“Hitting 1 million views of our photos within the first year is an incredible accomplishment for our small but powerful team. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students in our organization and the support of our school and community,” said WOHSSMA founder, Mason Bashkoff.

Sports included in the million-views milestone include Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Swimming, Fencing, Track & Field, Tennis, Lacrosse, Softball, Cheerleading, and even the Marching Band. Photos can be viewed at https://wohssports.smugmug.com/

Highlights include:

• Boys Soccer Sectional Championship win over Clifton, Football Sectional Championship win over Phillipsburg, First-ever home Fencing match at West Orange High School
• 2022 Fall Homecoming and Hometown Champions’ Celebration

The WOHSSMA extends its gratitude to the coaches, boosters, and athletes for their support in helping them reach this incredible milestone.

For more information about the West Orange High School Sports Media Association or to get involved, email wohssportsmedia@gmail.com

STUDENT SCHOLAR ATHLETE PROGRAM

The West Orange High School Media Association also recently announced the launch of their new 'Student Scholar Athlete Program' on February 1, 2023, which coincides with the 37th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). The program is the brainchild of West Orange High School Media Association founder and Class of 2023 scholar athlete, Mason Bashkoff.

The program will feature a different Varsity athlete every week, and will be sponsored by a local business in town to help continue the association's mission of connecting the high school athletics program to the West Orange community. Each athlete will be recognized for their athletic and academic achievements as well as their community involvement. The program aims to highlight the importance of balancing academic and athletic pursuits and to inspire other students to strive for success in both areas.

The weekly feature will kick-off on their social media (@wohssports), syndicate to their website (www.wohssports.com) and travel throughout the network of teams and players in the West Orange High School ecosystem. The program will also place posters of the weekly athlete in strategic locations around town and feature a special offer to students and the community from the local business sponsor.

"We are thrilled to launch this program and to celebrate the achievements of our Student Scholar Athletes," said Mason Bashkoff, "We hope to inspire other students to strive for excellence in both academics and athletics while also connecting our high school athletics program to the West Orange community through the support of local businesses."

“Launching this program to coincide with National Girls & Women in Sports Day is important because it highlights the ongoing struggle for equal access and opportunity for women and girls in sports,” said West Orange High School Athletic Director, Stephan Zichella. “By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of female athletes, we can inspire future generations to advocate for their own rights and to push for progress in this area.”

This program is sponsored by Pepe’s BBQ located at 977 Pleasant Valley Way. Pepe’s is offering a special deal for students and families. Mention the ‘Athlete of the Week Offer’ or show our weekly graphic at checkout and receive 15% off your order from February 1-28, 2023. Please note, this offer cannot be combined with any other discounts.

The association is currently seeking local businesses to sponsor future runs of the program. Any interested businesses can contact the WOHSSMA for more information at wohssportsmedia@gmail.com.

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