Monday, April 27, 2015

Announcements 4/27 - 5/1/15

Morning Announcements
Today is the last day for buying Prom tickets!  Tickets will be on sale in room 313 during breaks  and in room 239 for the rest of the day.  Deadline to purchase is 2:30 p.m.

Attentions students who took Art during first semester - Please see Mr. Campbell or Mrs. Clish sometime THIS week to finalize your Art Show portfolio.  The Art Show will begin set up next week.

NHS Members - Important meeting this Thursday, 4/30, at 7 a.m. in the auditorium.  Sign up for events - especially town meetings!  Members running for e-board will give speeches.  Voting will be in Mrs. Kyrka's room 217 on Friday, May 1st.

Walk for Hunger participants - There is a mandatory meeting for all those participating in Walk for Hunger on Thursday, 4/30, during both breaks in room 210.

The School Counseling Center and Student Health Services Department of Nipmuc have joined forces to plan a Wellness Week this week for Nipmuc students and faculty.  With a focus on stress reduction, the goal is to offer the opportunity for students and faculty to practice relaxation and healthy lifestyle skills.  The assignments for Wednesday's and Thursday's Advisory will be posted int he cafeteria.  Enjoy Wellness Week!

Attention Seniors!  Your senior event permission slip is due to Mrs. Linehan ASAP.

School Counseling Center Announcements
A reminder to Seniors:  Please bring your decision letters to the School Counseling Center as well as the school you have chosen to attend. As an important reminder: check Naviance for scholarships that may still be available. Please see Mrs. Hefez if you have any questions. As a note, all scholarships available are posted there. Lots of great opportunities!
Students who would like to attend college visits will find open house dates in Naviance. There are several upcoming visits for many different interests. Check it out!
Quinsigamond Community College is offering a Free Math Boot Camp for students who would like help with their math skills or are interested in strengthening them. The Boot Camp is being held in August at the Southbridge Campus. For more information check out the flyer posted on the School Counseling Center bulletin board.
Upton Junior boys who are interested in applying for Boy’s State may stop by the Counseling Center for information.
Many colleges are offering summer courses! If this is something you may be interested in, check out the Counseling Center blog for a list of information we have received. There are also several brochures for you to read in the counseling center. Please stop by to see what’s available.

 

Friday, April 17, 2015

Student Feature Friday - Sophomore Jill Carey Elected Vice President of CDMASC

CDMASC VP Jill Carey
One of the defining parts of our school culture is the meaningful role that student leadership plays in guiding Nipmuc's activities, decision making, and priorities. Over the years I have enjoyed the chance to work with many student leaders. I continue to be impressed with the way our students seek opportunities to make an impact on their school and community. 

In this week's feature I am excited to highlight a student who has shown this type of impressive leadership in her two years at Nipmuc. Sophomore Jill Carey is a student council member and a member of Nipmuc Together. She has worked with me as a member of interview committees and helped to craft the vision of 1:1 learning at our school. Now Jill has another accomplishment to add to her resume. She has recently been elected Vice President of the Central District Massachusetts Association of Student Councils. This honor comes with the responsibility of representing student councils across our region of the state. She follows in the footsteps of current CDMASC President (and Nipmuc senior) Eli Tamagni in taking on leadership at this level. 

I had the chance to hear from Jill about her role and taking on this new responsibility. 
Q. How did you first decide to run for Vice President of the Central District Massachusetts’ Association of Student Councils (CDMASC)?
A. As a freshman, I attended the state conference in Hyannis and fell in love with the people and the organization. I knew then that I would find a way to become more involved with MASC. This summer, while at MASC camp, I decided I was going to run for Central District Regional Executive Board. My camp counselor actually suggested I go to the meeting for perspective candidates. That's what really pushed me over the edge. I was really worried that I was too young to be running yet, but I decided to go for it, and I'm so thrilled that I did!


Q. What do you hope to achieve as Vice President of the Central Massachusetts Executive Board?
A. In my upcoming year on the board, I hope to achieve many things. I want to help CDMASC reach new heights and do more as a region to help others. We are involved with the Special Olympics and increasing our support for those athletes is really important to me. We are the largest region in Massachusetts so we have the greatest ability to make a difference. I think we have baJILLion possibilities; in fact that was my campaign slogan!


Q. What is most exciting to you about this leadership challenge?
A. I'm most excited to dive in and start working hard with the rest of the executive board. We have this amazing opportunity as high school students to make decisions that help those around us. I think this experience will also teach me a lot about myself and leave me with knowledge that will help me in the years to come.


Q. What do you think this new role will enable you to bring back to the Nipmuc Student Council?
A. My hope is that during my time on CDMASC board, I will be able to come back to Nipmuc and encourage others to get more involved. 


Monday, April 13, 2015

Announcements April 13 - 17, 2015

Morning Announcements
Review for Mr. Connors' and Mr. Cohen's AP U.S. History classes will be held next week, Wednesday, 4/22 and Thursday, 4/23 from 9-11 a.m.  Mr. Connors class, go to Google classroom to acknowledge if you will attend any of the 2 review sessions.

Nipmuc Drama's fourth annual One-Act Play Competition is this Thursday, 4/16, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.  The plays are directed by our very own seniors.  Come support them and catch a great show!

To anyone using a locker in the boys' varsity locker room:  Only school-issued green locks are allowed.  Any non school-issued locks must be removed by this weekend or it will be removed for you.  Any questions, see Mr. Leaver.
 
At 3:30 this afternoon - 4/15 - Warrior history will be made as the boys' junior varsity volleyball team will play in their first home game vs. Douglas.  Stop by and support the boys!

There will be  a SADD meeting on Thursday, 4/16 at 7:10 a.m. in the gathering room.  Please join us! All are welcome.

Come catch the Gold-winning Nipmuc Jazz Ensemble play during both breaks in the auditorium  this Friday, 4/17.  It's a performance you don't want to miss!  Bring your friends.

Interested in participating in the Walk for Hunger? There will be a meeting in room 210 on Tuesday, 4/14, during both breaks for all those interested.  We will review the event and sign people up - so please bring your iPads!

NHS Members - Don't forget the new member breakfast will be this Wednesday, April 15th in the gathering room.  Older members must bring food!

Senior Athletes:  Please check the sheet across from the athletic office for your name and varsity sport in which you participated.  Let Mr. Leaver know if there is a problem as soon as possible.

Attention Seniors!  If you did not attend the Graduation Information Meeting on Wednesday night, pick up your senior packet from Mrs. Linehan as soon as possible.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Student Feature: MAJE Gold Medal Winners

Members of Nipmuc's Gold Medal Winning Jazz Ensemble
Congratulations to Mr. Harding and the 19 students who recently participated in the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators State Finals. The group took home the gold medal, distinguishing themselves as one of the best high school jazz ensembles in the state. In addition, three Nipmuc students - Isabel DesRoches, Megan Mathieson, and Aiden Thieme - took home Outstanding Musicianship Awards from the competition. The ensemble will now have the chance to perform with other state gold medalists in May. Included below are responses from the students about their experiences in the competition.

Click here to listen to the jazz band's performance from district festival held on March 4. (music begins after the brief intro ~50 seconds into the recording...what a performance!)

Brett Alibozek
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. Throughout my four years of jazz band, we came so close to winning every year. To win a gold medal at states in my last year was the most exciting part, and an experience I will always remember.

Tim Brien
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. I was one of two people, along with Kurt Robakiewicz, standing on the side of the auditorium waiting to accept our group's award. And I have to say that the most exciting part by far of winning the gold medal was simply hearing the word gold and looking back at the jazz band and seeing all of their faces. There were really only 2 looks - pure shock and pure excitement. None of us had expected this medal because we thought we were about equal to our jazz band last year when we received a middle score silver. Coming back with the gold medal was almost surreal.

Scott Capuzziello
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part was the intense waiting when our school found out what medal we received. In the middle of our performance when we have a real good section and everything sounds good and flows smoothly, it's feels good and knowing all our hard work paid off in the end.

Jesse Charpentier
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of winning the gold medal was, in my senior year, being able to set a precedent of greatness for the Nipmuc Jazz program.

Sam Crocker
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. That the journey had finally paid off. All the rehearsals and time practicing at home was rewarded in that moment.

Isabel DesRoches
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of winning a gold medal at the MAJE state competition was knowing that our intense, hard work paid off. Mr. Harding pushed us to our limits during each rehearsal, and although some of us loathed him for that, the time and effort were certainly worth it. The gold medal validated to us, and those who don't know much about our music program, that what we do and love is great.

Q. What does it means to you to be recognized for outstanding musicianship at the competition?
A. Being recognized for outstanding musicianship at the MAJE State Finals competition gave me a huge boost of confidence. Unlike Megan and Aiden, the instrument I play in jazz band (bass) is my secondary instrument, and I have played it for less than two years. I was honestly shocked that I was recognized for the same level of musicianship as musicians that have been mastering their instruments for 6 or 7 years. I felt like the calloused fingers, cramped hands, and intense work were all worth it. In addition, it was pretty cool to share this experience with Megan, who has been my best friend since we met at piano lessons before kindergarten. We spend days during the summer practicing together, so sharing such an honorable recognition with her seems fitting.

Megan Mathieson
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state finals competition was that we had all worked so hard to prepare for the competition. It was amazing to have our work pay off and to be able to share the experience together.
Q. What does it means to you to be recognized for outstanding musicianship at the competition?
A. Jazz band is really important to me, and I was really honored and excited to receive the outstanding musicianship award. Misters Ron Lewis, Mike Morel and Simon Harding have had a lot of faith in me and have dedicated a lot of their time in helping me to be a better jazz player. Jazz music is a group effort, and it took every single person's work to get the gold medal. I'm lucky to play with such a talented, fun group of people.

Cameron McCulloch
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. From what I know, we are the first Nipmuc Jazz ensemble to get gold in state finals. That has to be the most exciting part, knowing that we made "Nipmuc history". It is something special and I'm glad I got to be a part of it.

Elizabeth Nigro
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. It was really exciting to win the gold medal because it showed us that hard work pays off. We've rehearsed two to three days a week all year, and we were thrilled when we got to move on to state finals. I'm so happy that I finally got gold as a senior!

Matt O’Brien
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of earning a gold medal at State Finals is the satisfaction that comes along with knowing we are finally victorious. After attaining a silver medal last year, we came into this year more energized than ever. By earning this gold medal, Nipmuc Jazz is finally on the map.

Eoin O’Connell
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting thing about winning a gold medal at the MAJE State finals was knowing that we worked hard to get our songs to sound as good as we could, and that we can play at a professional venue with other well-known jazz bands. We put a lot of effort in and it's great getting recognized.

Sarah Plunicki
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part was realizing that all of our hard work and after school practices had paid off. We were competing against some of the best jazz ensembles in the state for a gold medal and it was an amazing experience being in state finals with them all.

Kurt Robakiewicz
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of winning the gold medal at MAJE was knowing that all of our hard work leading up to the MAJE competitions paid off in the end and it is so rewarding to know that we are the first Nipmuc Jazz Band to ever achieve this goal.

James Rogan
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. I would say the most exciting part was hearing the announcer announce that we had received a gold medal. Everyone was so happy that our work finally paid off in a big way.

Trenton Ryder
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part was the fact that we won gold. I honestly did not think that we won a gold medal. The stage that we performed on was difficult for the performers in the respect that it sounded very different to us, on stage, then to the audience members. To us, the band sounded unbalanced and I was under the impression that it was the same to the audience members. Later we found out that it sounded completely different to the judges and audience. Winning gold was an unexpected, pleasant surprise.

Alison Slavin
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of MAJE was when they told us that we had won a gold medal. This was because we would get the opportunity to play again as a group, outside of the school district.

Aram Taft
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. Honestly the performance went great but I was surprised we got a gold medal, we had a few hiccups in the solo sections but other than that we did quite well for how much we practiced in the weeks prior. The most exciting part was that with that gold medal is we will now move on to perform in a featured hall with the other gold medalists.

Aiden Thieme
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. I think the part I found most exciting about getting a gold medal was just the explosion of happiness that shot through every member of the band. We were all overwhelmed. Everybody in the band worked so hard this year to get there, and winning knowing that your work paid off, it's a feeling you can't do justice with words. And it's moments like these that allow you to take a second and go "Wow, I love what I do."

Q. What does it means to you to be recognized for outstanding musicianship at the competition? 
A.  It meant a whole lot to have been given the outstanding musicianship award at the festival!  I always feels great when a judge, who had probably never heard you play before, enjoys your playing enough to award you with an honor like that.

Matt Verrone
Q. What was the most exciting part of winning the gold medal at the MAJE state competition?
A. The most exciting part of winning the MAJE state competition was the anticipation leading up to the announcement of how we placed.









Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Announcements 4/6 - 4/10/15

Morning Announcements
Senior Athletes:  Please check the sheet across from the athletic office for your name and varsity sport in which you participated.  Let Mr. Leaver know if there is a problem as soon as possible.

Attention Seniors!  If you did not attend the Graduation Information Meeting on Wednesday night, pick up your senior packet from Mrs. Linehan as soon as possible.

Yearbook photos for clubs, activities, and senior superlatives will be held Thursday, 4/9.

VHS applications for the 2015-2016 school year are now available in the media center.  If you are interested in signing up for a VHS class for next year, please see your school counselor and then pick up an application from the media center.  All applications are due by Friday, April 10th.

A meeting for all students involved in SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions - will be held on Thursday, 4/9, 7:10 a.m. in Room 235.  New members are welcome!