Student Feature Friday - DECA Students in Action

"Authentic teaching and learning requires a live encounter with the unexpected." - Parker Palmer

Senior DECA students
Pete Schiloski and Shane Dougherty

Some of the most powerful and impactful educational moments emerge unexpectedly when the lessons of the classroom get applied in an authentic way to the real world. In this week's feature, I'm privileged to be able to share an example of this type of "live encounter with the unexpected" by sharing the impressive work of seniors Peter Schiloski and Shane Dougherty. 

As dedicated contributors of Nipmuc's DECA program, Peter and Shane have sought ways to make an impact through their study of business and marketing. Last January the duo dedicated their DECA project to raising awareness and funds to fight ovarian cancer through the "Chill Out Challenge for Cancer." This year they've taken on a new challenge as they brought the power and optimism of their study of entrepreneurship to a group of 8-12 year old students in Worcester. Connected to the students through St. Gabriel's Parish, Peter and Shane used their project as a way to inspire students about the excitement and potential of pursuing entrepreneurship. 

Through the project they worked with students in after school sessions, providing "Shark Tank-like" workshops and challenges as a way to teach and inspire. A key part of their message was about branding. More specifically, about building a personal brand that makes investors believe in a product. Through the lessons, they emphasized the importance of character and integrity as the foundation of success and happiness. 

I was impressed to hear about what the students learned from Pete and Shane. Even more impressive, though, was what our seniors learned from the students they mentored. As they told me about their experience, I recognized the impact this service had on them. By applying their learning in an authentic way, they had a "live encounter with the unexpected" that will have a lasting impact on their ability, ambition, and altruism. 

Included below are some questions and answers from our interview.

Shane Dougherty

Q.  What was the most memorable part of this experience?
A.  The most memorable part of this experience was seeing the children's eyes light up at the end of our second day when we told them that they too can be successful entrepreneurs one day. Throughout our experience I was under the impression they might have believed their circumstances would stop them from being entrepreneurs.  After giving them two days’ worth of lessons and several examples of entrepreneurs, they soon realized they too could be entrepreneurs.

Q.  How has this experience help you grow as a student and a person?

A.   As a student this experience made me very grateful for how good we have it at Nipmuc. We are very fortunate to be surrounded with great learning tools and an environment that we can learn in. As a person, I have realized that I want to do more things to help children in need. They are the people that need our help. They did not do anything wrong; they were born into unfortunate circumstances.  I am very grateful for this experience.

Peter Schiloski

Q. How did we get the idea for our project?
A.  We were initially trying to host a charity concert that would benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Unfortunately, due to time and cost constraints we were not able to pursue this idea. We decided to help underprivileged youth because we felt this was an area we could make the largest impact.

Q.  What impact did you hope to make in this project?

A.   When we began this project we had one key goal. We wanted to teach our students about basic entrepreneurship concepts which would then show them that they are capable of one day creating and owning a business.

 

 

 

Announcements January 25 - January 29, 2016

Morning Announcements
Boys basketball plays a pivotal game on Saturday (1/30) vs. Oxford.  Show up for "Spirit Saturday" and support our team.  Game time is 2:30 p.m.

Want to help senior citizens in Mendon? Help by donating non-perishable food items and household items such as paper towels, tissues, anti-bacterial soaps, hand sanitizer, etc.  Mrs. V's advisory group is collecting all items to donate to the Mendon Senior Center.  Please bring your donated items to the office and place them in the boxes provided.

Attention to all Seniors:  Please bring your official college acceptance letters as well as a copy of any financial award notifications you receive to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.

The Nipmuc Book Club will meet on Thursday, 1/28 after school.  Please remember to bring your current book, The Scorpion Rules, so Mrs. V. can collect it.

The Class of 2016 is hosting the Third Annual Mr. Nipmuc on Saturday, January 30th at 7 p.m. Mr. Nipmuc is a male talent and runway competition featuring Class of 2016 Nipmuc boys.  Tickets are $5 at the door.  See President Chris Bechara for more information.

The DECA Volleyball Tournament will be held on Saturday, 2/6.  Please have your sign-up sheets in to Mr. Perras or Mr. Cody by Friday, January 29th.

Applications for the March afternoon driver education class are available in the main office and on the school website.  Afternoon classes will start March 7th, every day after school from 2:15 - 5:00.  Return your completed application and check made out to NRHS to the office by March 4th.

Announcements January 19 - 22, 2016

Morning Announcements
Due to the impending snowstorm on Saturday, the DECA Volleyball Tournament has been postponed.  It will be now held on Saturday, 2/6.  Please have your sign up sheets in by Friday, 1/29.

Attention Seniors:  Please bring a copy of your official college acceptance letters as well as a copy of any financial award notifications you receive to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.

Attention AP Students:  We are now taking payments for AP exams.  The cost is $92 per exam.  Please give payment to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.  If you need to make payment arrangements, please see Mrs. Larracey or Mrs. Grady.  Final payment is due on Friday, 1/22.  If paying by check, please make our to MURSD.

Student Feature Friday - Nipmuc Students Place First at DECA District Competition

Each January as the new year begins, Nipmuc's DECA program ramps up for another year of local, state, and international competition. On Friday, January 8, ninety-three students headed to the DECA district competition, hoping to take their first steps toward the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee during April. In this week's "Feature Friday" post, I'm thrilled to be able to highlight the achievements of six Nipmuc students who set themselves apart from the field of competition with first place finishes. 

Congratulations Abigail,  Angelica, Conor, Cameron, Kevin and Drew!

Abbey Colombo & Angelica Puchovsky

Team of Abigail Colombo and Angelica Puchovsky:  Buying and Merchandising

Abigail Colombo
Q. What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?
A.  Going into DECA Districts last Friday, my partner Angelica and I felt very prepared. Leading up to the competition, Angelica and I were able to take mock exams and present practice role plays during our Marketing class. It was very helpful to be able to present role plays to our peers and teacher and receive feedback on how we could improve for Districts. All of our hard work and preparation in class definitely helped us to be so successful at the competition!
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A.  The highlight of my day was when we were announced as the first place winners. It was a very stressful day between taking the test, presenting the role play, and waiting for awards, but it was all definitely worth it! Winning first place is by far one of the most memorable moments of my high school career.
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. I am most excited for the opportunity to improve our scores at the state competition and hopefully qualify for the ICDC competition. The state competition is definitely more competitive than districts, so I'm excited to see how well Angelica and I do against stiffer competition.


Angelica Puchovsky

Q. What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?

A. Throughout the past two years I have taken a variety of business classes.  My partner Abbey and I have worked very hard. By completing practice tests and performing role plays for students we were able to accomplish our ultimate goal, winning first place.
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A. The highlight of my day was definitely getting called up to the stage and being awarded the first place trophy. We had worked extremely hard and were so nervous before they called up the winners. Finally reaching our goal truly felt amazing.
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. Abbey and I are very excited to see what the future holds for us at states. I think we have a chance to accomplish a lot, and potentially reach our larger goal of making it to internationals. We will have to work even harder than before, but I definitely believe we can do it. I'm very excited to go to states and am so happy I was able to have had this opportunity.  

Team of Cameron Busby and Conor Morford:  Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Conor Morford & Cam Busby

Cameron Busby
Q.  What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?
A. My work and preparation for the competition at Nipmuc prepared me very well. I did practice tests during class which increased my business vocabulary which helped with the test and role play during the competition. I also did practice role plays with my partner which helped to prepare us for the role play in the competition. 
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A. The highlight of my day was hearing my name and my partner’s name being called and being told we got first place in our category.
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. I am most excited for the higher level of competition at the state competition and trying even harder to try to make it to ICDC.

Conor Morford

Q.  What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?
A.  In preparation for the district competition, my partner and I took multiple practice tests as well as go through a few examples of role plays from past years. I'd also like to thank Mr. Cody for making us present one of those cases to our entire class, which really prepared us for the actual competition. 
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A. The highlight of my day at the district competition was the awards portion where we were able to see all the teams that placed from Nipmuc. 
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. I am most excited to go through the whole process again but at a higher level of competition as my partner and I move forward to states.

Drew Nelson & Kevin Murphy

Team of Kevin Murphy and Drew Nelson:  Travel and Tourism

Kevin Murphy
Q.  What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?
A. I prepared for this competition by taking a marketing class. In marketing we prepared by learning about different aspects of business and we also learned how to prepare for the  DECA competition by practicing role plays and taking reactive tests. 
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A. The highlight of my day was when I first got called up and knowing that I had qualified for states, but then I heard my name get called for first which came to me as a surprise.
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. I am most excited about getting the opportunity to compete in a more state-wide competition. I am also excited to get the chance to go to internationals if I qualify. 

Drew Nelson
Q. What work have you done at Nipmuc that prepared you for the competition?
A. At Nipmuc this year, I have prepared for the DECA competition by taking marketing with Mr. Cody. In marketing, we had time for my partner and I to practice activities that we would have to do at the competition. DECA contributors had time to practice for the one hundred question test and the main activity, the role play. There were many categories contributors could have taken and Kevin and I did travel and tourism.
Q. What was the highlight of your day?
A. Throughout the DECA competition, the highlight of my day was the feeling I knew I did great and taking home first place. I knew that I did great before and after the role play because of the interesting marketing plan Kevin and I made for the case we were given. Honestly, I was probably jumping up and down before I even won.  I was so excited about the experience I had.
Q. What are you most excited for as you move forward to the state competition?
A. Going forward towards the state competition, I'm most excited about staying at the Marriott Hotel in Boston and getting another chance to compete with my partner. It's going to be even more of an experience when I get to stay with my friends over night at the fancy hotel. I can't wait for this next step and ready to take another chance to compete.





Announcements January 11 - 15, 2016

Morning Announcements
Environmental Club will meet during both breaks today (Thursday, 1/14) in room 123.

There will be a Model UN meeting after school on Thursday, 1/14, in room 333.

The lock-out is upon us! Grab your sign-up sheets at the school store and start making your teams.  You can have up to 8 people on a team and it's $8 per person.  Please have your team's form in to Mr. Cody or Mr. Perras by January 20th.

Attention AP Students:  Payments for AP exams are now being accepted.  The cost is $92 per exam.  Please bring payment to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.  If you need to make payment arrangements, please see Ms. Larracey or Mrs. Grady.  Final payment is due on Friday, January 22nd.

Attention Seniors:  Please bring a copy of your official college acceptance letters as well as a copy of any financial award notifications you receive to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.

Congratulations to the following Impact Award winners:  Aaron Kearnan, Eric Tolliver, Ryan Horn, Mike McGowan, Megan Baumgarten, Ciara Larence, and Kristin Krauss!  Please see Mrs. Field in room 122 for your award and t-shirt.  And thank you for making an impact!

Student Feature Friday - Senior Sarah Tong Honored at Superintendent's Award Luncheon

Nipmuc's WCSA Scholar Sarah Tong

Each January the Worcester County Superintendent's Association recognizes some of the best and brightest students in central Massachusetts at its scholars luncheon. Held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, this year's event highlighted the academic, leadership, and personal achievements of a talented group of students. The luncheon provided the chance for honored students from each high school to be recognized and awarded a gift.

Dr. Maruszczak and I were thankful to be joined at the event by Nipmuc senior Sarah Tong. Ranked at the top of the senior class, Sarah represented Nipmuc's students and was honored for her academic accomplishments and contributions to the school.

I had the chance to speak with Sarah about this award and what it means to her.

Q. What does it mean to you to be honored by this award? 

A. Receiving this prestigious award is extremely meaningful to me. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be recognized for my hard work and perseverance throughout these four years at Nipmuc.  It is an honor to represent this strong and supportive school.

Q. What are your plans for life after Nipmuc?
A. After Nipmuc, I plan on pursuing my undergraduate degree in biology and physiology to later fulfill my dream of becoming a physician assistant. I would also love to continue my training and passion for dance by seeking out opportunities to perform and choreograph.

Q: What was the most memorable part of the event?
A. Meeting and learning about each and every scholar from our community, Worcester County, was most memorable to me. Being surrounded by all these amazing and accomplished fellow students in one room made me realize how distinguished and unique we all are.

Announcements January 4 - 8, 2016

Morning Announcements
Support Lung Cancer Awareness at the White Out Game - January 8th, 6:30 p.m. - Nipmuc vs. Sutton.  Only $2!  Bring awareness of lung cancer to our community and show support to those who have been diagnosed or at risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer.  Half of the proceeds made will go to the non-profit organization - Lung Cancer Alliance. Please support our Nipmuc Warriors and make a difference for lung cancer!

Attention Nipmuc Ski Club: Our first ski trip will be Wednesday, January 6th.  We will be having a MANDATORY meeting for all participants on Tuesday, January 5th at 2:15 p.m. in the cafeteria to discuss bus assignments and rules.

National Honor Society portfolios are due in Mrs. Kyrka's room 217 on January 6th. 

NHS meeting of CURRENT members is  Thursday, January 7th in the auditorium at 7 a.m.

NHS E-Board Meeting - Wednesday, January 6th.

Attention AP Students:  Payments for AP exams are now being accepted.  The cost is $92 per exam.  Please bring payment to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.  If you need to make payment arrangements, please see Ms. Larracey or Mrs. Grady.  Final payment is due on Friday, January 22nd.

Attention Seniors:  Please bring a copy of your official college acceptance letters as well as a copy of any financial award notifications you receive to Mrs. Grady in the School Counseling Center.

Want to win an Amazon gift card?  Stop by the media center and check out a new book.  Read it and put your name in for the gift card.  See Mrs. V. for more information.

Applications for the January Driver Education class are available in the office and on the school website.  The evening class will be held Tuesday & Thursday nights for 5 weeks from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. starting January 12th.  Return your completed application and check to the office by January 11th.