Introducing NipmucPrincipal.com!

Please be aware that "The Principal's Blog" has moved to a new address. You can now access Mr. Clements's blog at NipmucPrincipal.com. If you have any questions, please contact John Clements at jclements@mursd.org.

Thank you!

Student Feature Friday - Nipmuc Students to Travel to Belize

For more than ten years, Nipmuc has partnered with World Challenge Expeditions to offer students opportunities to travel, broaden their horizons, and develop their leadership abilities through service. This year fourteen Nipmuc students - accompanied by teachers Megan Brazil and Courtney Leja - will become the next cohort of students to experience this life changing adventure. In just a few weeks, our travelers will depart for Belize on a trip that will take them to the jungle, the mountains, the pine forests, and the islands. Perhaps most importantly, our students will also have the chance to make a difference by working to refurbish a school in Belize. I had the chance to ask our students about their summer adventure and what to look forward to in the weeks to come.

What are you most excited about for your upcoming trip with World Challenge?

Aleah Castonguay - I'm most excited to explore the country of Belize and be able to learn about their culture and interact with the people because their main language is English. Last time I went on a World Challenge trip, it was to Costa Rica and I was unable to communicate because they only spoke Spanish.

Alex Chu - I'm most excited to spend time with my friends in a foreign place. Not only am I going to one of the most beautiful places in the world but I get to go there with my friends.

Carly Egan - I'm excited to be able to see the world from a different view than I have now. It's going to be a challenge stepping out of what is comfortable, but life isn't supposed to always be comfortable and that's the thrilling part.

Collin Flanagan - I'm bringing a soccer ball to first play with everyone on the trip, and also to play with the local kids while taking a break from helping build/repair/renovate their school. I'm very excited for that.

Jesse Godfrey - There are two things I'm very excited for this trip.  One is to be able to hang out with my friends like Jason, Jack, and Carly in a new place I have never been.  But I'm also excited to be able to learn about their culture like the food they cook.

Max Martyak – I’m excited for the chance to go out of the country and experience living in an entirely new environment for two weeks.

John McCarthy – I’m excited to see the smiles on their faces when we finish our work with their elementary school and make it a place they are happy to go to.

Jason McKenzie - I'm excited for the treks, helping with the schools and children, and the warm weather.

Cooper Offord - I am most excited about the new experiences that I will have. I am excited to be in a foreign country and know that I will learn many lessons that will better me as a person on my trip.

Dallas O’Hagan - I am very excited to be able to travel to a third world country and being able to give back. On this trip I will be able to experience new cultures and a different way of living that I am not familiar with. This will allow me to become a well-diversed individual and prepare me for later difficulties I will face in life by collaborating with others and aiding others in need.

Diana Richard - I am so excited to visit a different country and go on and epic adventure with the group I'm in. I'm very much looking forward to help build a school and hike through the rain forest.

Max Robakiewicz - I'm most excited about experiencing a new culture and views in Belize. I think it is going to be fun to try the new foods and hike in the jungle. I think it's going to be a great experience and I'm excited to spend it with friends.

Ben Thomsen – I am most excited about hiking through the jungle of Belize.  I’ve been hiking before but hiking through a Belize jungle will be very different than the mountains in New Hampshire.

Noah Tolliver - I think it's going to be an exciting experience all around; it will be very interesting to learn about other cultures and experience the lives of other people around the world.

Announcements June 13 - 17, 2016

Morning Announcements
Attention all students!  Tomorrow - Friday, 6/17 - there will be 2 ice cream trucks here during all lunches.  Please bring cash if you are interested in buying something from the trucks.

All girls interested in playing volleyball in the fall - There will be a an informational meeting this Friday, 6/17, after school in the gym.

Congratulations to the 2016 Adin Ballow Essay Contest winners!  (1st) Rene Venable, (2nd) Sheena Nguyen, and (3rd) Zahra Ali.  Come see their work on Wednesday night's Writers' Night - Nipmuc Media Center 7 p.m. - All are invited.

Attention AP English Literature and Composition Students:  Please pick up the AP Lit summer assignment in Mr. Evans's room 216 during any green wing break before school closes.

All students taking AP Computer Science next year need to see Mr. Cochran in room 306 during break  sometime this week to get their summer assignment.

AP Chemistry students can pick up their summer work in room 123 during breaks and after school.  Pick up by Friday!

Attention AP Psychology students:  Please pick up the psychology summer assignments any green wing break before the end of the school year from Mr. Perras's in room 316.

Attention students taking AP Euro next year - Stop by Mr. MacIsaac's room 335 on Tuesday, 6/14 at either break for a quick meeting.

Students taking AP U.S. History next year - Meeting during both green and blue wing breaks on Thursday, June 16th in Ms. Manzella's room 337.

Attention all AP Biology students for next year: During any green wing break starting Tuesday, 6/4 - Pick up your summer work from Ms. Wilson in room 121.  If you can't meet during those times, please see Ms. Wilson before or after school.

Anyone interested in playing field hockey next year - please meet this Wednesday, 6/15 after school in the cafeteria.

All athletes interested in fall sports - On Wednesday, 6/15 - after school - there will be a meeting for Volleyball (meet in the gym) and Cross Country and Girls Soccer (meet in the cafeteria).

The Class of 2019 invites you to Pinz in Milford on Monday, June 20th from 3-5 p.m.  For $20 you get 1 hour of bowling, shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza, soft drinks, and a $5 arcade card.  For tickets, see Ms. Soto during both breaks and lunches.

Attention all students:  Yearbook orders for the 2016 yearbook can be placed online at http://nipmucyearbook.weebly.com/ by clicking on the Josten’s service tab.  Cost is $50

Fall Cheer tryouts will be held Monday and Tuesday, 6/13 & 6/14, from 6-8 p.m. in the Nipmuc gym.  Athletes must have a participation form filled out in order to tryout.

The Upton Men's Club is looking for volunteers to help during the annual fireworks event - Saturday, June 25th.  There is a sign-up sheet in the main office.

All students who have checked out library materials and are not currently using them, please return your items to the media center.  Also, there is an assortment of water bottles and clothing that were left behind from the After Prom Party.  Please stop by and see if they belong to you.

 

 

Student Feature Friday - Students Start Chess Club at Nipmuc

Juniors Dylan Applegate and Kayma Snook

Student leadership manifests itself in many ways at Nipmuc. One of the most powerful ways our students can make an impact is to establish a club or activity that gets our students excited about coming to school. In this week's "Feature Friday" post, I'm excited to share the leadership of Dylan Applegate and Kayma Snook who collaborated to start a chess club at Nipmuc. In a short period of time, they've been able to get our students excited about chess, welcoming students of all ability levels to this new group that meets each Monday. I'm thrilled to feature them and excited to see how our chess club grows in the years to come!

Dylan Applegate
Q: How did you come up with the idea for chess club?
A: Kayma and I often played chess in French when we finished our work. (Here is where there is some debate...) One day, after destroying her in the easiest chess match of my life, I proposed the thought of starting a club. From there we went to the office and asked what to do.  We then asked Mr. MacIsaac to be our advisor and printed flyers - all in the same block.

Q: What are some of the strategies you have used to introduce students to chess and get them excited about your meetings?
A: Aside from spamming amongst my friends, “Every Monday, Mr. MacIsaac’s room, 2:00 to 3:30 - Be there!” I've also tried to recruit some friends from other grades. Kayma brought most of our members in by convincing her huge network of senior friends to come and play.

Q: What was the highlight of this year’s chess club?
A: I'd say the highlight of this year’s chess club was the first two meetings, when the room was packed full of people from all grades talking, having fun, and playing chess. Since then the attendance has settled down considerably, but club is still a ton of fun.

Kayma Snook
Q: What has been the greatest challenge and success in getting chess club started at Nipmuc?
A: The greatest challenge in starting chess club was getting the word out and getting all types of people interested in chess. Our club welcomes people of any skill level or no skill level at all. While most chess clubs require some experience, ours does not and it’s been challenging trying to convince beginners that they can have fun and also benefit from the club.

Q: How would you like to see chess club grow next year?
A: In terms of the club’s growth, I would like to see many new members next year. Both seniors and underclassmen with all skill levels or just anyone with a curiosity to learn or observe are welcome!

Q: What was the highlight of this year’s chess club?
A: The highlight of this year's chess club was the time we had about 20 in attendance. We all just hung out and listened to music while the advanced players taught the beginners the basics. People of all different ages, groups and skill levels came and everyone got along very well.

***

I am thrilled to see our chess club get off the ground so successfully. Thank you, Dylan and Kayma!

Announcements - June 6 - 10, 2016

Morning Announcements
Students taking AP U.S. History next year - Meeting during both green and blue wing breaks on Thursday, June 16th in Ms. Manzella's room 337.

All athletes interested in fall sports - On Wednesday, 6/15 - after school - there will be a meeting for Volleyball (meet in the gym) and Cross Country and Girls Soccer (meet in the cafeteria).

Attention students taking AP Euro next year - Stop by Mr. MacIsaac's room 335 on Tuesday, 6/14 at either break for a quick meeting.

Attention all AP Biology students for next year: During any green wing break starting Tuesday, 6/4 - Pick up your summer work from Ms. Wilson in room 121.  If you can't meet during those times, please see Ms. Wilson before or after school.

There will be a Nipmuc Media Center Barnes & Noble Book Fair on June 11th & 12^th at the Bellingham, MA store (270 Hartford Ave.).  A B-fest will also occur – teen activities on both days. The book fair will also include online purchases from June 11^th-17^th. Please look at the media center website for the ID # when ordering.  All proceeds benefit the Nipmuc Media Center.

The Class of 2019 invites you to Pinz in Milford on Monday, June 20th from 3-5 p.m.  For $20 you get 1 hour of bowling, shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza, soft drinks, and a $5 arcade card.  For tickets, see Ms. Soto during both breaks and lunches.

Sophomore and Junior students who are taking AP Language next year should meet with Mr. Clements in room 220 at either break on Thursday of this week for summer assignments.

Thinking about Writers’ Night?  See Mr. Michael Clements to have your work shown on Wednesday, June 15^th.

Attention all students:  Yearbook orders for the 2016 yearbook can be placed online at http://nipmucyearbook.weebly.com/ by clicking on the Josten’s service tab.  Cost is $50.

Attention all students: Nomination forms are now in the office for student council and class office.  Forms are due back to the boxes in the office this Friday, June 10^th.  Speeches will take place on Tuesday, June 14^th.

Fall Cheer tryouts will be held Monday and Tuesday, 6/13 & 6/14, from 6-8 p.m. in the Nipmuc gym.  Athletes must have a participation form filled out in order to tryout.

The Upton Men's Club is looking for volunteers to help during the annual fireworks event - Saturday, June 25th.  There is a sign-up sheet in the main office.

All students who have checked out library materials and are not currently using them, please return your items to the media center.  Also, there is an assortment of water bottles and clothing that were left behind from the After Prom Party.  Please stop by and see if they belong to you.

 

Announcements May 31 - June 3, 2016

Morning Announcements

The Upton Men's Club is looking for volunteers to help during the annual fireworks event - Saturday, June 25th.  There is a sign up sheet in the main office.

All students who have checked out library materials and are not currently using them, please return your items to the media center.  Also, there is an assortment of water bottles and clothing that were left behind from the After Prom Party.  Please stop by and see if they belong to you.

Nipmuc Honors Scholars Celebrated by Milford Area Chamber of Commerce

Front row, left to right: Julia Salvaggio, Mary Morcos, Stephanie Poly, Karin Plante, Sarah Tong, Elizabeth Hilton, Aaron Kearnan, Kristina Dubois, Amanda St Germain, William Applegate

Back row, left to right: Class President Christopher Bechara, Carly Thibodeau, Abigail Colombo, Kiley Larocque, Isabel DesRoches, Megan Mathieson, Samantha Capalucci.  

Not pictured: Marla DiPoto

As we make our way to the end of the school year, our attention turns to our seniors and the culmination of their time at our school. On May 17 we began the celebration of the Class of 2016 with the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars Dinner. Held at Lake Pearl Luciano's in Wrentham, this annual event recognizes the top ten percent of students in the Milford area. Students and their families enjoyed a banquet celebration which included the announcement of students in the top ten percent at each school and the awarding of several scholarships. Senior Class President Christopher Bechara introduced each of Nipmuc's recipients and highlighted the many ways that they have acted as leaders and achievers during their time at our school.

One of the highlights of the evening included senior Will Applegate's receipt of the "Excellence in Science Scholarship" for his achievement in the sciences during his high school career.

The students who were honored at this event included:

William Applegate, Samantha Capalucci, Abigail Colombo, Isabel DesRoches, Marla DiPoto, Kristina Dubois, Amanda St Germain,  Elizabeth Hilton, Aaron Kearnan, Kiley Larocque, Megan Mathieson, Mary Morcos, Karin Plante, Stephanie Poly, Julia Salvaggio, Carly Thibodeau, and Sarah Tong. 

Congrats to the top 10% of Nipmuc's Class of 2016!

Announcements May 23 - 27, 2016

Morning Announcements
Mrs. Kykra's 1st semester satire classes - please pick up your portfolios in room 217!

Seniors - If you have not yet returned your iPad, please do so today - Wednesday, 5/25 - at the Help Desk in the lobby. 

Seniors:  Mrs. Callahan will be available to sign off on locker checkout on Thursday!  See her in the school counseling center.

The Upton Men's Club is looking for volunteers to help during the annual fireworks event - Saturday, June 25th.  There is a sign up sheet in the main office.

Do you love our seniors?  Show them how much by giving them a Hershey kiss.  On sale for 25 cents each during breaks and lunches in the cafeteria from 5/20 - 5/24.

All students who have checked out library materials and are not currently using them, please return your items to the media center.  Also, there is an assortment of water bottles and clothing that were left behind from the After Prom Party.  Please stop by and see if they belong to you.

Student Feature Friday - Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy Graduates

Left to right - Max Robakiewicz, Kealani Peters, Sarah Nasif, Ashley Round

Over the course of the school year four Nipmuc students - Sarah Nasif, Kealani Peters, Max Robakiewicz, and Ashley Round - participated in the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy. Run by the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation (BVEF), the leadership academy provides students with the chance to work with a cohort of student-leaders from high schools across the Blackstone Valley. The group meets regularly to participate in leadership training, gain familiarity with important historical sites in the valley, and organize a community service project. I was proud to attend the recent graduation from the program and see how well our students represented Nipmuc. Included below are some thoughts from our leaders about their experience.

Sarah Nasif
Q: What was the most impactful part of being a member of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy?
A: Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy most noticeably helped me to realize the way that one can silently be a leader. In my class, there were introverts and extroverts. When it came to showing leadership, especially in their community service projects, both types of people succeeded and shined.
Q: Tell me about your community service project and what the project taught you about leadership.
A: I orchestrated a volunteer event to landscape the Upton Senior Center. From my event, I learned how to network and professionally communicate with people, especially for donations. Gaining floral and supply donations involved proper emailing and appropriate follow ups with donors as well as showing thankfulness. My project also taught me that leadership involves having a solid plan, which is why I constructed a list of steps for how the volunteers and I would plant.

Kealani Peters
Q: What was the most impactful part of being a member of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy?
A: The most impactful part of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy for me was meeting new people from other places and really connecting with them. I am so glad to have done this program and had a lot of fun with it.
Q: Tell me about your community service project and what the project taught you about leadership.
A: I collected coloring books, crayons, markers, stickers, etc. for the Milford Hospital Pediatrics Unit. I collected over 150 coloring books and many other supplies. It helped me realize that being a leader is about being organized, coordinated, and taking charge.

Max Robakiewicz
Q: What was the most impactful part of being a member of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy?
A: The most impactful part of being a member of BVYLA is the chance to meet new people and not only making new friends but also being able to incorporate their ways of leading into my leadership philosophy in order to become better at leading.
Q: Tell me about your community service project and what the project taught you about leadership.
A: My community project was collecting items for Milford Regional Medical Center's Comfort Care. They are an organization which gives goods to dying patient's families to comfort them during such a tough time. This taught me about leadership through being able to understand how much a role of a leader can impact people such as setting up donations for a good cause.

Ashley Round
Q: What was the most impactful part of being a member of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy?
A: The most impactful thing I took from BVYLA is applying my leadership skills with new people. Getting the chance to meet other leaders in the district was a great experience. Over the weeks, my leadership skills definitely grew because of the new friends I met. I think everyone took a little something from everyone, and it was a great group to be a part of.
Q: Tell me about your community service project and what the project taught you about leadership.
A: My community service project took place at Memorial Elementary School in Upton. I worked with kindergarteners after school in Mrs. Smith's class. The day I went to visit the students was St. Patrick's Day. I created a plan to do St. Patrick's themed activities with the students. I read them a book and then we did an additional activity with a pot of gold. Each student got to pick coins out of the pot and then they added their coins together. It was a lot of fun to work with these children. One of the biggest attributes of being a great leader is being a good role model. This definitely showed me how you have to be a good example to everyone you are around because you never know who is looking up to you. Especially younger children, at the age they are soaking in all the information they can get. Being older, they look up to you. I had a great time working with these students!

Announcements - May 16 - 20, 2016

Morning Announcements
Seniors:  Mrs. Callahan will be available to sign off on locker checkout today!

The Upton Men's Club is looking for volunteers to help during the annual fireworks event - Saturday, June 25gth.  There is a sign up sheet in the main office.

Do you love our seniors?  Show them how much by giving them a Hershey kiss.  On sale for 25 cents each during breaks and lunches in the cafeteria from 5/20 - 5/24.

Spanish Immersion meeting today in room 241 from 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. for the following seniors: B. Bukunt, S. Capalucci, T. Brossi, A. Cormier, M. Mathieson, R Morrison, K. Nocera, J. Hill, S. Dowd, J. St. John, K. Scott, T. Ellero, A. Mirageas, S. Dougherty, T. Leacy, K. Woods.
 
Come to see Nipmuc Drama Guild's Annual One Act Competition!  This year there are 3 shows directed by Sam Crocker, Cam McCulloch, Evelynn Slavin, Karley Collins and Sam Jokela.  Tickets will be sold at the door on Thursday, May 19th at 7:30 p.m.

Seniors!  Please pick up your graduation tickets from Mrs. Linehan as soon as possible.

Mandatory NHS meeting at both breaks on Thursday, 5/19 in room 217.

There's another school-wide competition!  Now ending May 20th, all grades can participate in Coin Wars to raise money for PKD research.  The jars can be found in the office.  Follow - pkd_knowledge on Instagram or contact Chloe Hoff (hoffc19@student.mursd.org) for more information.

All students who have checked out library materials and are not currently using them, please return your items to the media center.  Also, there is an assortment of water bottles and clothing that were left behind from the After Prom Party.  Please stop by and see if they belong to you.

The last book club meeting will meet after school this Thursday, 5/19.  The book, Salt to the Sea, will be discussed.  All members please return all public library books by Thursday.

Looking for something fun to do this Friday, 5/20?  Well, look no further!  Come to the Rockin For SuperTy Benefit Concert in the Nipmuc auditorium at 7 p.m.  come to help end pediatric cancer and help us rock Nipmuc!

Student Feature Friday - Nipmuc Friends of Seniors Club Promotes Computer Literacy

Pictured left to right "Friends of Seniors": Zackary Lapointe, Daniel Whitcomb, Brock Wickstrom,
William Whitcomb, John McDonald, Jake Barefoot, and Scott Estabrook

In sharing the achievements of students in my Feature Friday posts, I sometimes have the opportunity to highlight the work of unsung heroes, students who have shown dedication to making a difference in the lives of others without ever seeking recognition or praise. In this week’s post, I’m proud to share the dedication of an impressive group of Nipmuc volunteers. Each of the boys in today’s feature have been volunteers at our local senior centers, spending an hour each week in Mendon, Upton, and Uxbridge helping our communities’ senior citizens to learn about and use technology. The students began their work through the Nipmuc Friends of Seniors group and found a way to continue this service throughout their years at Nipmuc. In speaking with them about their work, they are quick to point out the meaning that they found in the activity and the positive impact it had on their own lives.

Enjoy this week’s features of our unsung heroes!

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of this volunteer experience?
Jake Barefoot
I don't know if I can choose the single most rewarding part of this experience. For the past two years I have been given the opportunity to volunteer with friends, learn the importance of consistency and responsibility, learn how to communicate solutions, meet some very interesting people, and see the seniors drastically improve their ability to use technology. It has been a blast teaching community members, and making friends with the seniors who are there every week.

Scott Estabrook
To me, being able to develop a relationship with the senior citizens was the most rewarding part of the volunteer experience. It was always nice to hear about their life stories, and seeing how just us being there to talk to them, even if we couldn't help with their computer issues, made their day.

Zackary Lapointe
The most rewarding part of this volunteer experience has been being able to give back to the community. I often help out my own grandparents with technology, teaching them how to use their cell phones and iPads as well as helping them figure out any technological problems. However, there are a lot of senior citizens who don't have anyone to teach or help them, so it's nice to be able to help others learn how to use technology at the senior center.

Daniel Whitcomb
The most rewarding part of volunteering at the senior center has been the relationships I have formed with many of the senior citizens. After holding a computer class there every week, I learned a lot about the people I met. More importantly, I learned a lot from these senior citizens who have a lot of knowledge to offer to our generation.

William Whitcomb
I think the most rewarding part about helping out at the senior center was speaking to the seniors each week and building relationships with them. I feel like I could walk in there with a group of friendly faces waiting for me two years from now. It was amazing to get to know these people and help them out the best we could each week.

Steven “Brock” Wickstrom
I would have to say that the most rewarding part of my volunteer work would be the skills I have learned at my time at the senior center. At the center, I helped seniors mainly with technology-related issues, so I feel that thanks to this experience I have learned valuable skills relating to helping people understand a concept or idea that is foreign to them. I feel that I now have more patience when helping people understand concepts that are difficult for them and can better understand people when they are having difficulty with something. I have also been able to form connections with both those that work at the senior centers and the many regular attendees who came to the center looking for technology-based help. It has been very interesting working alongside citizens much older than me, helping them with concepts foreign to them and very familiar to me.

Announcements May 9 - 13, 2016

Morning Announcements
Attention Nipmuc! Yearbook superlative, clubs and activities photos will be taken on Monday morning (5/16).

It's time for another friendly competition!  This week, all grades can participate in Coin Wars to raise money for PKD research.  The jars are in the office.  Remember - Coins add to a grade's points and dollar bills subtract.  Follow pkd_knowledge on Instagram or contact Chloe Hoff (hoffc19@student.mursd.org) for more information.

Do you like to travel? Did you hear about the fun adventures students had in Italy over April vacation?  Well next year during April vacation we will be traveling to Spain and you can come with us! There will be another parent night, if you haven't already attended one, on Tuesday, May 17th at 7 p.m. in Room 239 .  See Ms. Reardon with any questions.

Would you like to see what Mr. Ferris, Mrs. Kyrka, Mrs. Towne, Mrs. Hefez and many other faculty and staff members wore to their proms? Come to the media center to see the historical prom collection.  See who wore what dress and who wore what tux.

Attention Sophomores!  A representative from Herff Jones will be here in the cafeteria during lunches on Thursday, May 12.  If you need your ring resized or want to order a ring, please come by at lunch on May 12.

Do you want volunteer hours?  Spend time landscaping the Upton Senior Center on May 15th from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Pasta lunch will be served for full-day volunteers.  Contact Sarah Nasif if interested.  nasifs18@student.mursd.org                    

Nipmuc Students Attend DECA International Competition in Nashville



Nipmuc DECA at the Grand Ole Opry

"It was a meaningful trip because it helped with preparing me for a future career in marketing and gave me the opportunity to learn new 21st century skills needed in college and workplace readiness, such as collaboration, communication, and networking."  -Junior Sean Kelleher  

As junior Sean Kelleher stated in the quote above, Nipmuc students's participation in our DECA program continues to be a powerful way to connect learning in the classroom with the real world. Over the course of the past 10+ years, Nipmuc DECA has become a model program, providing students with a chance to find their passion for business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. As part of the DECA - an international business/marketing education program - students have the chance to complete year-long projects that they put to the test through local, state, and international competitions. So many students find a excitement for their studies and a path to their futures through DECA and the support provided by Mr. Gary Perras and Mr. Ryan Cody.

One of the goals for any DECA student is to have the chance to attend the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each spring. This year Nipmuc sent its largest group of attendees to the ICDC, held in Nashville during the third week in April. Students had the chance to network with business-minded students from across the country, participate in workshops, compete with a pool of 18,000 international contestants, and experience life and culture in Nashville.

Congratulations to all of this year's ICDC attendees including: Hannah Barrows, Chris Bechara, Matthew Benoit, Jaclyn Bianchi, MacKenzie Callahan, Samantha Capalucci, Timothy Carey, Alyssa Cicconi, Abigail Colombo, John Dacey, Shane Dougherty, Kristina Dubois, Jack Ernst, William Gavin, Alison Goddard, Sean Kelleher, Thomas Keville, Kiley Larocque, Brandon Lefebvre, Meaghan MacKay, Kathryn McManus, Paige Murphy, Ryan Nelson, Angelica Puchovsky, Katie Sauer, Peter Schiloski, Abigail Sterling, and Joria Todd.

Left to Right: Matthew Benoit,
Brandon Lefebvre, Sean Kelleher

I had the chance to speak to several of the conference attendees to share their experiences. Congrats to all attendees including three finalists - Chris Bechara, Shane Dougherty, and Pete Schiloski - who had the chance to be recognized on stage in front of nearly 20,000 DECA members. I hope you enjoy reading about their most memorable moments from this awesome experience. 

Chris Bechara

The most memorable and meaningful part of the ICDC trip to Nashville was talking to students throughout the entire world and learning what being an entrepreneur has done for them. Discussing their passions for their businesses was also an amazing experience. 

Matt Benoit

The most meaningful part of my trip to Nashville was being able to experience a completely different culture from where I come from. I was able to see live music, beautiful views, and experience southern hospitality everywhere I went! The most meaningful part of the ICDC was sitting in the Bridgestone Stadium, looking at the thousands of people from around the world, realizing that all of my hard work had paid off. 

Shane Dougherty

The most memorable part of the trip was being called up on stage as a finalist in front of 18,000 students. There were more than 230 groups in our category. To be a finalist we had to have placed in the top seventeen. That was an assurance that all our and Mr. Perras's hard work paid off. 

Sean Kelleher

The most memorable part was the opportunities Nipmuc DECA experienced, including a concert at the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Sounds baseball game, the Massachusetts DECA party at the Wild Horse Saloon, the opening and closing session for DECA ICDC, and the tour/focus group of Universal Music Group in Nashville. It was a meaningful trip because it helped with preparing me for a future career in marketing and gave me the opportunity to learn new 21st century skills needed in college and workplace readiness, such as collaboration, communication, and networking.

Paige Murphy

Nipmuc Focus Group with
Doug Phillips, Director of Digital Marketing
for Universal Music Group, Nashville

To me, the most meaningful part of my trip to Nashville was being able to present the project that my group members and I worked very hard on. For months, our time and effort went into carrying out a community service project, and being able to present it one last time was one of the most rewarding things. Having the opportunity to do something like this was a great challenge and will most definitely carry over into my future experiences. 

Peter Schiloski

The most memorable part of my DECA ICDC trip was the whole southern experience we were able to take in through our travels. This trip allowed me to see a different style of life than my own which is something we do not get to do every day.