By Carly Flahive and Sara Houle
Thursday, April 7, Westborough High School will host their first annual lip sync battle, in honor of beloved former WHS Spanish teacher, Anne Piscia, who lost her battle to cancer last summer. The event was designed to raise money and awareness for a scholarship in her name. With great dedication to her students, faculty, and family, the scholarship will be given to a student with English as their second language who will be furthering their education.
“She dedicated her life to helping the underdog and took a special interest in those for whom English is a second language,” notes 2015 WHS graduate Susie Speed. A woman dedicated to bringing her community together, she was always trying to get the faculty together to do something fun.
“Mrs. Piscia has always wanted to have a lip sync battle,” says Principal Brian Callaghan. Last year in honor of Piscia the staff produced a music video choreographed to “Uptown Funk,” one of her favorite songs. The excitement and positive energy that this video brought not only to Piscia, but the community as a whole, sparked tremendous support for such an incredible person. “She loved music and art,” adds Callaghan, “so this event is truly something she would have loved to see happen.”
“Every time you can honor and raise money to help a family, it’s always nice,” mentions Callaghan. He adds, “We will always remember Mrs. Piscia and honor her memory and legacy. She embodies what we want out of our instructors.”
Despite the high expectations of the event, there is also plenty of uncertainty as to how it will go. Greg Rota, one of the organizers behind the event notes, “I think the event will be unpredictable, in a good way.” With roughly eight live acts featuring a variety of WHS teachers, as well as additional video performances, who knows for sure what to expect.
Through maintaining to build a strong community, WHS will honor a wonderful woman, teacher, colleague, mother, and friend. In what will surely be a fun event for a worthy cause, everyone is encouraged to attend the first ever WHS Lip Sync Battle at 7pm Thursday.
Tickets will be $5 and donations will be accepted at the door. Additionally, a GOFUNDME account has been set up in Piscia’s name. Please consider making a donation to a great cause. All proceeds from the event will be put into her scholarship fund.
To make a donation, click here.
