Back-to-back State Champion Kevin Hack at the championship meet.
(photo credit John Tlumacki/Boston Globe)
Nipmuc is thrilled to celebrate the tremendous accomplishment of State Champion High Jumper Kevin Hack. After establishing himself as the best high jumper in Massachusetts during his sophomore year in 2014, Kevin has once again distinguished himself as the best of the best. He earned the State Championship this year after jumping an astounding 6' 8", nearly reaching the record in this competition.
I had the chance to ask Kevin about his amazing season and second State Championship in a row.
Q: What is the most memorable part of your season?
A: I have to say looking back on this season it was full of amazing memories and it is tough to choose a favorite. Overall my most memorable part of the season so far is winning the state championship for the second consecutive year. Achieving this was one of the proudest and most memorable moments of the season.
Q: What does it mean to you to win the state championship?
A: Winning the state championship this year meant more to me than just having the title. To me it was a way of telling myself that all my hard work has paid off. That everything I have been working for this year has all come together and made it worth my time and effort. Overall there is no way to describe the feeling of clearing that bar and knowing on the way down that I've won. It's a feeling I'll never forget and hopefully one I get to experience again in the future.
Q: What are your goals for next year?
A: Next year my goals are to win states again as well as the New England Regional meet. As well, I would like to clear 7 feet. This has been my goal for over a year now and I hope that if I put in the hard work I'll be able to achieve this goal.
Nipmuc Track Athletes Nicole Murphy, Richie Schioloski, and Kurt Robakiewicz
In addition to the accomplishments of State Champion Kevin Hack, Nipmuc has three additional track athletes who competed at the highest level during the month of Feburary. I am proud to feature seniors Nicole Murphy, Kurt Robakiewicz, and Richie Schiloski who took part in district/state competitions.
Nicole Murphy
Q: What is the most memorable part of your season?
A: I think the most significant memory of this season was the difficulty of these past snow storms. With loads of snow falling weekly that resulted in slippery, icy roads and uncleared tracks, I was forced to be creative when running and completing track workouts. I think running in the snow and training outside is what makes it all the more fun. It made it challenging but it was a new experience and for that I am grateful.
Q: What is your proudest moment from the season?
A: I am most proud of our team. With low numbers, and no indoor facility that either of us could train in, we used our resources to the best of our ability and stuck together. Even though we all competed in very different events, we encouraged each other. I am proud of our unconditional spirit to reach the state meet with individual dedication.
Kurt Robakiewicz
Q: What is the most memorable part of your season?
A: I would say that my most memorable part of the season would simply be growing with the track team. As you may know, our track team does not have a lot of people on it and we can barely fill every event; but even so, we have a lot of talent on our team and we have done very well this season. As a result, my favorite memory for this season was bonding and growing as a team. With our small numbers, even though most of the team was composed of new people, we quickly learned one another's names, one another's strong suits, and each other's weaknesses and did our best to work together to coach one another to oust all of our weaknesses.
Q: What is your proudest moment from the season?
A:When I look back at this indoor track season, I am most proud of Kevin Hack because, as I mentioned, we all coach one another and I especially helped to coach him, and seeing him break his personal record again and again was just as rewarding to me as it was to him.
Richie Schiloski
Q: What is the most memorable part of your season?
A: Looking back on the year, the most memorable part of my season was setting the Nipmuc record in the shot put.
Q: What is your proudest moment from the season?
A: I am most proud of all the accomplishments that our team accomplished this year even though we had very little space to practice.
Morning Announcements Interested in joining Ultimate Frisbee? Stop by our practices in the gym every day after school 2-3:30. Questions? Speak with Alex Martin, Stephanie Esker, or Jesse Charpentier.
There will be no Yearbook meeting today (Wednesday, 2/25). We will begin meeting weekly starting in March.
Seniors! If you have not done so already, make sure to go to the yearbook website and complete the Senior Likes/Dislikes survey. The deadline to complete this has been extended to Monday, March 2nd.
Need service hours? See Ms. Waterman in room 338. She needs help with AP Science Mock Exams being held Saturday, 3/21/15.
Did you enjoy Nipmuc's performance of Grease? Then come to see our play Almost, Maine this weekend. There will be four shows with two casts. The first cast will perform Friday, 2/27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2/28, at 2 p.m. The second cast will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, 2/28, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, 3/1. The cast will do the same shows with different interpretations. Make sure to buy tickets online in advance to guarantee good seats! $10 adult and $7 student and seniors.
Attention World Challengers! The first meeting for all students travelling to Belize in July 2016 will be held on Thursday, 2/26, in Ms. Leja's room 310 immediately after school. Any students who are interested in joining the trip, but have not yet signed up are welcome to join as well.
NHS Members - 1st rehearsal for induction is Friday, Feb. 27th. Still need one more long speech and some other volunteers. Please sign up in Mrs. Kyrka's room 217.
Seniors - The first payment for the senior trip is due ASAP. We need your t-shirt size, down payment, and decision on Codzilla boats before the second deadline of February 27th.
Applications for the March afternoon driver's education class are available in the main office and on the school websites. Afternoon classes will begin March 2nd, every day after school from 2:15 - 5:00. Return your completed application and check made out to NRHS to the office by February 27th. School Counseling Center Announcements Students who will be taking AP exams - Please bring your payments for each exam you will be taking to the School Counseling Center. The fee is $91 per exam. Payment for the exams must be paid in full by March 20th. If you have any questions regarding payment, please see Ms. Larracey.
Juniors will begin meeting with counselors for course selections for their senior year. As a reminder - make sure that you have reviewed your teacher recommendations in iPass with your parents before choosing your classes.
News from the Athletic Department The girls' varsity basketball team will play in the Central MA tournament on Thursday, 2/26, at 7 p.m. at Tyngsboro High School. The girls finished the season with a 13-7 record for their highest seed in over 10 years. Congratulations girls!
If there is enough interest, a fan bus will be provided. The cost is $5 per student. Sign up in the main office before the end of school on Wednesday, 2/25.
Nipmuc Swimmers Shannon Dowd (2nd from left),
Taylahna Rowland (4th from left),
and Carly Thibodeau (far right).
The 2014-15 school year has been distinguished by the tremendous achievement of our student athletes. As we head into the vacation week, I’m excited to report on another Nipmuc team that is experiencing exceptional success. This weekend, the Nipmuc-Northbridge-Grafton swim team (a cooperative team comprised of students from each of the towns) will make their way to the state championship swim meet at MIT.
Three Nipmuc students – juniors Shannon Dowd and Carly Thibodeau & freshman Taylahna Rowland – will compete on Saturday following their awesome performances at last weekend’s sectionals.
I’m thrilled to feature these students as we wish them well tomorrow in the states! Good luck!
Shannon Dowd
Q. What is your event?
A. 100 Breaststroke, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay
Q. When did you start swimming competitively?
A. I started swimming competitively at age 8 on a swim team called Whitinsville Blue Dolphins.
Q. What is your favorite memory from the season?
A. My favorite memory from the swim season was the league meet which is the last swim meet of the season before sectionals and states. Everybody on the team was so excited and we had a great time.
Q. What are you most excited for in competing at the state finals on Saturday?
A. I am most excited about competing in the state finals on Saturday because I get to share the moment with the people who trained by my side all season in order to qualify for the big meet.
Taylahna Rowland
Q. What is your event?
A. 200 Medley Relay, 200 Individual Medley, 100 Backstroke, 200 Free Relay
Q. When did you start swimming competitively?
A. I started swimming when I was 2. I started swimming competitively when I was 7.
Q. What is your favorite memory from the season?
A. My favorite memory was the sectional meet when all our relays qualified for states.
Q. What are you most excited for in competing at the state finals on Saturday?
A. I'm most excited to try and place in the top twenty since I'm seeded in the top twenty. I really want to do well so we will be able to set team records as well as individual records.
Carly Thibodeau
Q. What is your event?
A. Butterfly, but I’m going to States for 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay
Q. When did you start swimming competitively?
A. I started swimming competitively when I was 10 years old in 4th grade for the recreational team Milford Stingrays.
Q. What is your favorite memory from the season?
A. My favorite memory from the season is the first time we qualified a relay for Sectionals. Our team previously had only sent one girl’s relay to Sectionals in team history, so it was very gratifying to know our hard work and training paid off, and that I got to be a part of that team history. I was so excited that I had contributed to our success! And my positivity resulting from qualifying lent itself to a very good rest of the meet, celebrating with my teammates and beating other times.
Q. What are you most excited for in competing at the state finals on Saturday?
A. I'm excited for States on Saturday because it is a chance to gain recognition and accomplishment for my team. The energy in the air at big meets like this is invigorating, as well as the team spirit. We have all worked incredibly hard these past few months, and to be able to make it to the highest level of competition, even though we come from a small team, is very exciting.
Good luck Carly, Shannon, and Taylahna! Next week I'm excited to feature our four track athletes who are also competing in the state competition this weekend. Go Warriors!
Nipmuc Regional High School is pleased to announce that fifty-eight
students in the class of 2015 have qualified to receive the John and Abigail
Adams Scholarship based on their performance on grade 10 MCAS English Language
Arts and Mathematics tests. This scholarship entitles students to four years of
free tuition upon their acceptance to a participating
Massachusetts public institution of higher education, including a University of
Massachusetts campus, a Massachusetts state university, or a community college. This is an exceptional achievement, especially when considering that 76% of the Class of 2015 earned an advanced score on the math test and 61% of the entire class earned an advanced score on the ELA test. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Emily Agro Madison Armstrong Lindsay Bailey Ateha Bailly Eloise Baynham Nathan Bentley Jillian Bertrand Kimberly Bohan Daniel Burke Perez Patrick Carey Gabriella Carreiro Chereen Chalak Jesse Charpentier Lauren Comfort Regan Conrad Tyler Costello Dylan Coyle Madeline Davidshofer Kristen Denson Drew DiPoto Lindsay Doyle Brandon Esker Stephanie Esker Cullen Farragher Jenna Fitzgerald Katie Friberg Lillian Gillette Chelsea Gorius Molly Gould Lauren Guertin Roma Gujarathi Jeremy Hall Catherine Hill James LaCroix Tyler Lefebvre Samuel Manning Elizabeth Manser Brynn Mitchell Elena Morganelli Ian Murphy Madision Neri Hannah Nielsen Elizabeth Nigro Eoin O’Connell Evan Offord Jay Patel Devon Poe Madison Polay Kurt Robakiewicz Andrew Saltzberg Erika Scott Julia Sharp Allison Shaughnessy Jaycie Stoopack Elias Tamagni Philip White Melody Wiklund Melissa Wojnowski
Morning Announcements NHS members giving induction speeches - Please give Mrs. Kyrka your speeches ASAP. NHS members - Please check signup sheets in room 217 - we still need help!
Applications for the World Challenge trip to Belize are due to Miss Leja by Friday, February 13th. Please drop your application and payment off to her in room 310. Anyone who needs an application can also stop by her room to pick one up.
Attention Ski Club members! There will be a Sunday ski trip to Killington on March 8th. There is only one bus, so signups are first come/first served. The bus will depart Nipmuc at 6 a.m. and return at 8 p.m. Checks and permission slips are due to Ms. Brazil in room 139 or Ms. Leja in room 310 by Friday, February 13th.
Anyone interested in a Mr. Nipmuc DVD can stop by Mrs. Soto's room 313 and order one. They are $10.
Attention Seniors! The first payment for senior trip is due ASAP. We need your t-shirt size, down payment and decision of Codzilla boats before the second deadline of February 27th.
Driver Education Classes for March - Applications are available in the main office and on the school website. Afternoon classes will start March 2nd, every day after school 2:1`5 - 5:00. Return your completed application and check made out to NRHS to the office by February 27th.
Yearbook pictures for winter athletes (including swimming and ice hockey) will take place on Tuesday, February 10th at 1:20 in the gymnasium.
School Counseling Center Announcements
A reminder to Seniors:Please bring your decision letters to the School Counseling Center. Also, remember to check Naviance regularly for scholarship information and see Mrs. Hefez if you have any questions. Lots of great opportunities!
For students who will be taking the SAT on March 14th or 15th, the deadline for registration is February 13th. Please visit www.collegeboard.org to register.
Patriot Ambulance is offering an EMT Basic Course in Marlborough beginning April 7th. Those interested must be 18 years old. Please stop by the counseling center for more information.
A representative from Daniel Webster College will be at Nipmuc on Thursday, February 24th at 11:00. Please stop by and sign up to attend if you are interested. This is a great time for juniors to begin exploring college options!
A representative from New York Film Academy will be visiting Nipmuc on February 24th at 12:30. Please sign up in the School Counseling Center if you are interested in attending this information session.
The YMCA in Frankin is offering job opportunities to graduating students for Lifeguard/Swim Instructor positions. There are also classes available for Lifeguard training as well as summer position openings. Details available in the counseling center.
Many colleges are offering summer courses! If this is something you may be interested in, there are several brochures for you to read in the counseling center. Please stop by to see what’s available.
All students are reminded to check out the school counseling blog and the School Counseling Center bulletin board for information on college open houses, SAT/ACT information and general SCC announcements.
We're looking forward to seeing everyone later this morning. The delay schedule is listed below:
Order of classes: EFGAB
Block 1: 9:30am – 9:40am (10 minutes)*
Block 2: 9:43am – 10:23am (40 minutes)
Block 3: 10:26am – 11:05am (39 minutes)
Block 4: resume regular schedule
Block 5: regular schedule
*Rather than skipping first block completely, students will attend first block to check-in with their teachers, take attendance, and submit homework/projects. Drive safely - Mr. Clements
Gatorade Player of the Year Gaby Carreiro
(Photo Credit - Don Treeger - The Republican)
NIPMUC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STANDOUT NAMED GATORADE MASSACHUSETTS GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CHICAGO (February 5, 2015) — In its 30th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, announced Gaby Carreiro of Nipmuc Regional High School as its 2014-15 Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Carreiro is the first Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Nipmuc Regional High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Carreiro as Massachusetts’s best high school girls soccer player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in May, Carreiro joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Alexi Lalas (1987-88, Cranbrook HS, Mich.), Heather O’Reilly (2001-02, East Brunswick HS, N.J.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).
The 5-foot-2 senior midfielder and forward led the Warriors to a 22-1-1 record and the Division 3 state championship this past season. Carreiro scored 28 goals and passed for 12 assists with 11 tallies in six postseason games. She notched four goals in a 5-0 win over Wahconah High in the state semifinals and followed that with two more scores in a 5-0 win over Lynnfield High in the state final. A two-time Dual Valley Conference Player of the Year, she missed a pair of regular-season games to train with the U.S. Soccer Under-20 Women’s National Team. Ranked as the No. 19 recruit in the Class of 2015 by TopDrawerSoccer.com, she concluded her prep soccer career with 52 goals and 42 assists.
Carreiro has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom. She has volunteered locally as a peer tutor and youth soccer coach in addition to donating her time to a fundraising campaign to benefit Rachel’s Challenge, a program designed to motivate, educate and bring positive change to students.
“This season was Gaby’s most dominating,” said Scott Taggart, head coach of Algonquin High. “She was the most dynamic player in the game with us. Quite frankly, I spent the whole game holding my breath when she was in possession hoping we could contain her.”
Nipmuc's coach Howard Cohen calls Gaby "the finest girls' soccer player that Nipmuc High School has produced." He further stated, "She works harder than another player I have ever coached, often training before school and after our afternoon training session. She defines the difference between playing and competing. Yet, through all her accomplishments and recognition Gaby remains humble. [She] possesses the right mixture of a relentless work ethic, a keen sense of competitiveness, and the skill and artistry to transcend her game to the highest level."
Nipmuc Athletic Director Bill Leaver recognizes Gaby's determination, stating "what has always impressed me most about Gaby is her drive and motivation. . .She considers obstacles as challenges and embraces them to prove herself."
Carreiro has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at Boston College beginning this fall.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade high school sports leadership team in partnership with USA TODAY High School Sports, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
Carreiro joins recent Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Soccer Players of the Year Eve Goulet (2013-14, Sutton High School), Kristi Kirshe (2012-13, Franklin High School), Hayley Dowd, (2011-12, Peabody High School), Sam Mewis (2010–11 & 2009-10, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School), Danielle Dakin (2008–09, Minnechaug Regional High School), Hayley Brock (2007-08, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School), and Amy Caldwell (2006-07, Braintree) among the state’s list of former award winners.
You can view the video announcing Gaby's award here:
Press Release Contact: Matt Schiffman (312-729-3672)
(l-r) Jenna Fitzgerald, Erika Scott, and Gaby Carreiro display their letters of intent.
On Wednesday, elite high school student-athletes from across the country celebrated National Signing Day – the first official opportunity for a student to formally commit to a college or university. Nipmuc joined in the celebration with an event to honor three members of the state championship girls’ soccer team. Seniors Gabriella Carreiro, Jenna Fitzgerald, and Erika Scott gathered with friends and family as they took the next step in their scholastic and athletic career. Across the country there were nearly 420,000 high school soccer players. From that number only approximately 8% will have the opportunity to go on to the next level of competition. In this week’s feature I am thrilled to feature these tremendous student-athletes and celebrate their accomplishments.
Gaby Carreiro
Q. Where are you attending?
A. Boston College
Q. Why did you choose to attend and play soccer at Boston College?
A. I chose to play soccer and attend Boston College because I love the intense athletic and academic environment. The school is a perfect distance from home and in the city; which is where I hoped to be. The soccer team also plays in the ACC, a competitive division where I hope to bring my skills to the next level and have an impact in the game.
Q. What is your best memory from being part of Nipmuc soccer?
A. The best memory from being a part of Nipmuc soccer was definitely winning the state championship. It brought about a sense of community, being able to look up in the stands and see the entire school and town cheering you on. My favorite moment from the game was when my sister subbed me out in the last 10 minutes, hugged me, and whispered I love you. I walked off the field, with tears in my eyes, knowing we had won the game and this was the end of my high school soccer journey. It was one of those happy-sad moments.
Q. What are you most excited for as you get ready to graduate and take on the challenge of being a student-athlete at the collegiate level?
A. I am most excited for the new experiences and new memories I am going to make. Boston College will allow me to play with a new team and discover myself at a higher level of soccer. It is the next step in our lives, as we become successful independent adults.
Q. What does it mean to you to be selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year?
A. Being selected as Gatorade Player of the Year is an amazing honor. It is a reflection of my hard work and dedication to the sport over my entire career. It is a way to give recognition to my school and give back to my community as they have supported me in my efforts throughout the journey. I have no words to say to explain my gratefulness, except thank you for this opportunity.
Jenna Fitzgerald
Q. Where are you attending?
A. Southern New Hampshire University
Q. Why did you choose to attend and play soccer at SNHU?
A. I chose to attend and play soccer at SNHU because of the close campus and small class sizes. They have my major of Psychology and I like the coach and team.
Q. What is your best memory from being part of Nipmuc soccer?
A. My best memory of being a part of Nipmuc soccer is our first game of the season verses Westborough when my little sister Leah and I both scored and won our game 2-0. Then on our Central Mass. championship game Leah and I both scored again to win 2-1 against Holy Name. Knowing that my entire family was in the stands and that I was able to play my senior year with my little sister was the most memorable moment for me being a part of Nipmuc soccer.
Q. What are you most excited for as you get ready to graduate and take on the challenge of being a student-athlete at the collegiate level?
A. I am excited about being on my own and discovering how far I can push myself. Graduation is right around the corner and then when summer comes I have to prepare myself to play and move away from home. Also I am most excited about how I will be able to play against Erika at Merrimack at the collegiate level.
Erika Scott
Q. Where are you attending?
A. Merrimack College
Q. Why did you choose to attend and play soccer at Merrimack?
A. I chose to attend and play soccer at Merrimack because the school has a very good academic reputation and a good soccer reputation. Also I like the campus, the majors they offer, and the soccer coach.
Q. What is your best memory from being part of Nipmuc soccer?
A. My best memory from Nipmuc soccer is definitely winning the state championship but more specifically the bus rides home from the state semifinal game and the state final game. The team was so happy and we were yelling every word to our favorite songs.
Q. What are you most excited for as you get ready to graduate and take on the challenge of being a student-athlete at the collegiate level?
A. I am most excited to be a part of a new team and to be able to play at a higher level of soccer. I am also excited to play against Jenna who is attending SNHU ;)
Morning Announcements
There is a Yearbook meeting today, Wednesday, 2/3, in room 235.
Monthly National Honor Society meeting will be held on Friday, 2/6. This meeting is important!
Domestic Violence Awareness: The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of women who were murdered by current or previous male partners during that time was 11,766. That's nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war. To show your support against domestic violence, wear black on Friday, February 6th.
Applications for the March afternoon driver education class are available in the main office and on the school website. Afternoon classes will start March 2nd, every day after school 2:15 - 5:00. Return your completed application and check (made out to Nipmuc Regional High School) to the office by February 27th.
Congratulations to Scott Capuzziello for taking home the crown and title of Mr. Nipmuc 2015!
Congratulations also to runner-up Sam Manning. Thank you to all who came out to support the Class of 2015. Anyone interested in a copy of the Mr. Nipmuc DVD should stop by Mrs. Soto's room 313 to order one. DVD is $10.
Attention Seniors! The first payment for senior trip is due ASAP. We also need your t-shirt size, down payment, and decision on Codzilla Boats before the second deadline of February 27th. School Counseling Center Announcements
A reminder to Seniors:Please bring your decision letters to the
School Counseling Center. Also, remember to check Naviance regularly for scholarship
information and see Mrs. Hefez if you have any questions. Lots of great
opportunities!
For students who will be taking the SAT on
March 14th or 15th, the deadline for registration is
February 13th. Please visit www.collegeboard.org to
register.
Patriot Ambulance is offering an EMT Basic
Course in Marlborough beginning April 7th. Those interested must be
18 years old. Please stop by the counseling center for more information.
A representative from Daniel Webster College
will be at Nipmuc on Thursday, February 24th at 11:00. Please stop
by and sign up to attend if you are interested. This is a great time for
juniors to begin exploring college options!
The YMCA in Frankin is offering job
opportunities to graduating students for Lifeguard/Swim Instructor positions. There
are also classes available for Lifeguard training as well as summer position
openings. Details available in the counseling center.
Many colleges are offering summer courses! If
this is something you may be interested in, there are several brochures for you
to read in the counseling center. Please stop by to see what’s available.
All students are reminded to check out the
school counseling blog and the School Counseling Center bulletin board for
information on college open houses, SAT/ACT information and general SCC
announcements.
