Feature Friday: One Acts Take the Stage at Nipmuc

Some of Nipmuc's One Act directors and performers
(l to r) Krysta Desper, Rose Wiklund,
Joselyn Melpignano, Arianna Bonito, and Lisa Slavin

As we get ready for the weekend, the members of Nipmuc drama are making final preparations for one of the highlights of the year: The One Act Play Competition. An annual tradition at Nipmuc, the "one acts" provide our students with the chance to showcase their talents in these student-directed productions. From sets to choreography to directing - our students take leadership in these plays, making the event a celebration of their talents, ambition, and skill. Included below is a feature of some of the students and the plays they are performing this Saturday evening, 2/1 at 7pm in the Nipmuc auditorium.

Play #1: Teen Angel 

Summary: Teen Angel follows Peggy, a teenager living in the 1950s, through the experience of love, life, and death as she struggles to earn her wings to enter heaven.  Along the way Peggy finds help in strange and unexpected places.  Will Peggy solve the problem she left behind?  Will she ever find the balance of love?  Find out if a little faith, love, and angel dust is enough on Saturday night!

Comments from Student-Actor Lisa Slavin: 

"As a performer this experience has helped me read behind the lines and see the character for what it truly is in the show.  Originally I read my character as a serious, grandmotherly, omniscient being but as time went on and with the help from those around me, I discovered the humor this character held.  This experience has taught me how to create something with others and have fun feeding off each other’s ideas.  I learned this through the creation of a dance in the play – something I have never done before – but something that I will feel proud of for the rest of my days by far."

Comments from Student-Director Krysta Desper: 

"I loved the choreography and picking the 50s music.  Plus the costumes are fun! [Through the play I learned not to] be afraid to be silly and to never back down from a challenge." 

Play #2: The Big Bang Theory

Summary: It’s Christmas time!  But much to Leonard’s disappointment, Penny suddenly develops an interest in science when a new physicist joins the lab.  Meanwhile, Sheldon struggles to find an appropriate Christmas gift for Penny.  Even though the Christmas season is over,  you’re sure to feel the spirit of giving in this comedy.

 

Comments from Student-Director Arianna Bonito: 

"The One Act Competition is unique because it allows people who have never been on stage before to work with their peers in a less stressful environment than when performing a full show.  It allows them to try out acting and backstage crew to see if is something they would really want to commit to.  Also, it gives many people opportunity to grow as actors by being in larger roles than what they may be used to."

Play #3: A Wolf in Disguise 

Summary: A Wolf in Disguise is a drama about Sean, a leprechaun who falls in love with a shepherdess.  The romance takes a nasty turn when a mysterious wolf attacks her flock on the night of the full moon and Sean must protect her.

Comments from Student-Director Rose Wiklund: 

"The only play I’ve directed before was a Romeo and Juliet parody skit with my neighbors, so this was a big step since usually I act on stage.  I learned how to be a better leader, how to motivate my peers, how to critique actors and block dynamic scenes.  Directing a play requires different skills than acting in one, and taking a leadership role as a director is a rewarding experience."

Play #4: A Twisted Fairy Tale

Summary: This play is based off an episode of “The Monkees” called Fairy Tale.  It’s about a boy named Peter who falls in love with a princess who has to later save her from a villain named Harold who is trying to kill her.

Comments from Student-Director Joselyn Melpignano:

"I finally got to become a One Act Director and I’ve been waiting to do this since the seventh grade! Through the production I learned to be myself and not to be afraid of performing. I learned to be confident in what I do."

Good luck to all cast and crew members! All are invited to enjoy the performances on Saturday evening beginning at 7pm in the Nipmuc auditorium. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

 

Announcements January 27 - 31, 2014

Morning Announcements
All students going on the Bocado field trip today (1/29), please meet in the lobby at 12:25 p.m. to board the bus.

Any junior who had a parking permit during the first two terms, please see Mrs. Grady for your new parking space.  Parking stickers must be picked up by tomorrow, Wednesday, January 29th, along with payment of $25.

All those interested in Model United Nations - There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 28th in Mrs. Laflash's room 121, green wing.  Anyone interested in joining are welcome.

Do you like to read? Please join us at the first meeting of a newly-formed Student Book Club on Wednesday, January 29th at 2:10 in the media center. All are welcome.  See Mrs. Venkataraman in the media center with any questions.

Attention Seniors:  This is the last week to complete the on-line yearbook surveys, including the "likes/dislikes/memory/quote" survey.  Don't miss out of being included in your 2014 yearbook.

Babysitters needed!  Please see Mrs. Kyrka in room 217 if you would like to babysit during a teacher's meeting at Miscoe Hill Middle School on Wednesday, January 29th from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m..

Athletic Department Announcements
Come to the girls' basketball game on Friday, January 31st and cheer them on.  They are playing Blackstone Millville High School.  The first 50 students will get in for $1.00!

The weight room will be closed to girls only from 2:45 - 3:45 beginning next week (February 3rd) on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Guidance Department Announcements
Quinsigamond Community College will host a Careers Day in Business, Engineering and Technology on Saturday, February 8th.  Pick up a flyer in the guidance office for more details.

Need help completing the FAFSA form?  A webinar for parents and students is available on the guidance blog to help you.

Students interested in attending a college summer program are reminded to check out the guidance blog for information on various summer programs.

Information regarding part-time job opportunities is available in the guidance office.

Seniors are reminded to check the guidance blog for scholarships and also be sure to note all scholarship deadlines.  May scholarships require letters of recommendation and transcripts.  Please make sure you give your counselor enough time to process your application before the scholarship deadline date.

Feature Friday: Q & A with Junior Gabriella Carreiro

Gaby Carreiro at the U17 Women's
World Cup Soccer Championships

One of the most enjoyable parts of my role at Nipmuc is that it provides me with the chance to meet so many accomplished, talented, and ambitious students. The more you get to know the student body at Nipmuc, the more you will be impressed with their potential and their achievements. This is one of the reasons that I have started weekly posts to highlight students on my blog.

During this week's "Feature Friday" I am sharing the accomplishments of junior Gabriella (Gaby) Carreiro. Gaby is no stranger to anyone who's enjoyed the chance to follow Nipmuc soccer over the past few years. A standout forward on our varsity girls' soccer team, Gaby has also established herself as a nationally recognized player by making the United States U17 Women's National Soccer Team.

Over the course of the past year, in particular, Gaby has been on a tremendous journey through her soccer playing. In June she began traveling each month to Florida and California for week-long training sessions. In October she and her teammates went to Jamaica where they competed in the World Cup qualifying tournament. Gaby had the chance to shine at that tournament when scoring on a penalty kick in her game against Guatemala. I recently had the chance to ask Gaby a few questions about her accomplishments. Included below are some of the questions and answers.

Q: What was the most exciting part of this accomplishment? 
A: The most exciting part of this journey was the fact that I had the opportunity to play for my country. Every time you put on that jersey, every time you wear the crest, you carry with you a sense of pride for your country, for USA. It is a feeling not many people ever get the chance to experience. As you walk out onto the field, your can hear the CONCACAF [Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football] [music] playing and a huge crowd roaring behind you. You line up facing the stadium and in the midst of all the excitement you can see a small section of the USA fans where your proud parents stand. The USA national anthem plays, bringing a rush of chills down your spine and tears which fill up in your eyes. At this moment, you begin to understand how important this game really is and that your are playing for something much bigger than yourself, your country.

Q: What was the most challenging part of this experience?
A: The most challenging part of this experience was being away from home for 2 weeks. Although I had my parents in Jamaica with me, I missed my friends and other close family very much. You don’t understand how long 2 weeks can be until you actually experience it.  Also, while I was in Jamaica parents were only allowed to visit during specific visiting hours which were usually every two days... Even with the challenges, this experience was completely worth the sacrifices.

Q: Beyond your experiences with soccer, what will you take away most from this experience?
A: Beyond the soccer aspect of this journey, I will take away from this experience the many friendships I have made with people all across the country. A national team pulls together the best group of girls throughout the country no matter where they come from. I now have friends from Idaho and Kansas, places I would never have expected to meet new friends. It was amazing getting to know girls who are just like you, have the same goals as you, have the same drive as you, and are willing to do anything to play for this team and represent the Unites States. They understand the 3 mile runs at 5 am before school or the extra hours you spend working after practice has let out; they understand the sacrifices you have had to make to reach this one goal of making the national team. We came together in the beginning of 2013 and embarked on a journey together. A journey that consisted of a lot of missing school, missing friends, and missing family. All sacrifices we were willing to make to stand on that podium in Jamaica at the end of the year. This experience we all shared created the strong friendships that we now have walking away from this journey.

Q: What are your future plans regarding soccer and academics?

A: In the future I am hoping to play D1 soccer in college and become a teacher. I committed to Providence College as a sophomore and am very excited for the new memories I will make with that team. I also love working with children which is why I hope to become a teacher and a coach. Throughout my final year of high school and my four years in college, I hope to continue playing for the national team if I am given that opportunity again. The U20 World Cup is taking place in two years and it would be an honor to be a part of that.

Congratulations, Gaby. Thank you for representing Nipmuc and your country so well!

STEM Career and College Fair

Over the course of the year we have enjoyed the opportunity to implement the Nipmuc STEM Scholars Program, an initiative to expand the offerings available to students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Through the STEM Scholars Program we are providing our students with workplace readiness training, connections to colleges and universities, and job shadowing/internship experiences. These real world, authentic learning experiences complement the work students complete in our classrooms. 

As part of this program and our participation in WPI's "STEM for District Leaders" program, Nipmuc is providing a STEM Career and College Fair on Friday, January 24th to all of Nipmuc's students. At the fair we will welcome more than 30 representatives from STEM professions, universities, community groups, and organizations. These professionals and community members will meet with our students, answer their questions, and excite them about the potential of STEM. 

We encourage you to talk to your child about this fair and the opportunities provided there. We are excited to watch the STEM Scholars Program grow as we build upon the achievement in our classrooms and expand the programming at our school. 

STEM Career and College Fair Program: 

Extension of Term 2

Due to the snow day on 1/22, we will be extending term 2 until the end of the day on 1/23. Term 3 will begin on Friday, 1/24. 

Stay warm!