the devils` advocate - Monomoy Regional School District

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Homecoming
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Co-op field
hockey team
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THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE
Volume 15, Issue 1
CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL
November 22, 2011
Student Spotlight
Brian
Bogue
stays fit
for MMA
By Amanda Malone
Section Editor
IN TRAINING--Brian Bogue is working to
win a martial arts fighting title.
July Millett Photo
In a typical day at Chatham High School (CHS), one would not expect
to find a rising star in their second block gym class, or in any of their classes
for that matter. However, students here have come to recognize senior Brian
Bogue as an up and coming Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.
“I pick things up, and put them down,” Bogue says in his humorous way
when asked what his fighting is all about. This is an understatement; Bogue
devotes a majority of his time getting his body into the best shape possible,
whether through conditioning, weight lifting, strengthening techniques, or
putting himself on intense diets. These diets include low to no sugar intake,
but extreme amounts of complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and high
protein foods.
Part of his workout takes place in the CHS fitness room, which Bogue
says he is thankful for, as well as the equipment made available to him there.
It has been helpful for training and has given him opportunities to continue
his regimen in school.
Bogue says that the best part of what he does is on fight day or when
he can achieve a new personal record. He is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jujitsu
and a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Jujitsu is an art of weaponless fighting
employing holds, throws, and paralyzing blows to subdue or disable an
opponent, but this is not where Bogue first saw himself. From the ages of
five to 10, Bogue did peewee karate, which he says continued to influence
the rest of his life.
At first, Bogue wanted to pursue a career in kickboxing, but after the
realization that this career would produce no real income, Bogue said he
changed his mind and now is on the pathway to a career in the UFC. Bogue
“Smarten up and don’t be upset; the world is a good
place. Life is what you make of it.”
Senior, Brian Bogue
hopes to be in the UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship, by the age of
20-22 and fighting for the World Title by the age of 25-26. So far, he has
competed in five grappling tournaments where he placed second or higher.
He beat out someone that was ranked fourth in the nation for Judo in his
last grappling tournament.
Bogue has had three kickboxing matches, one when he was 15 against a
21 year-old, another when he was 16 and his opponent was 32, and the most
recent was with an opponent 11 years older than Bogue who outweighed
him by about 12 pounds.
Growing up, Bogue found he had a lot of anger, but his fighting has
Continued on Page 2
ON THE JOB--Michael Gradone takes over the helm for the Chatham Public Schools for the
next year.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
Interim Superintendent
CHS welcomes
Michael Gradone
By Christie Macomber
News Editor
Brought out of retirement by the
“chance to work with terrific people
in a good school system,” former
Nauset Superintendent Michael Gradone has joined the Chatham Public
Schools as Interim Superintendent,
bringing his 40 years of experience in
teaching and leadership to the district
as it faces the task ahead of regionalizing with Harwich.
After graduating from Newton
North High School in Newton, MA,
Gradone, like many young men of
his generation, experienced a surge
of patriotism, inspired by President
John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. Upon graduation, he therefore
enrolled in Harvard University as
a government major and attended
many classes alongside former Vice
President Al Gore. While attending
Harvard, Gradone discovered his
niche was education. What better
way to serve the country than by
helping to nurture and educate future
generations, Gradone thought as he
pursued a master’s degree in education from Westfield State College
after graduating from Harvard.
Gradone then began his educational career as a fourth grade teacher
at Hardwick Elementary, a small
school in central Massachusetts. He
went on to serve as principal of Wellfleet Elementary School, his success
in the field of education culminating
in the following 17 years when he
served as superintendent of the Nauset Regional School District.
Although happily retired, the
opportunity to work part-time for
the Chatham district was appealing
to Gradone, so he decided to apply
for the position which was vacated in
June because of the retirement of Dr.
Mary Ann Lanzo. While Lanzo had
been a full-time superintendent, the
Chatham School Committee decided
to hire a part-time administrator who
would work four and a half days a
week and focus exclusively on Chatham Schools. The interim superintendent would not have to be involved
in contract negotiations or day-to-day
issues involving the new Monomoy
School District, which officially operContinued on Page 3
2
NEWS
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
Dr. Carolyn Cragin, Transitional Superintendent
Monomoy Regional has much to offer
By: Ryan Williamson
Section Editor
The new Monomoy Regional
High School (MRHS) will provide
increased opportunities for students
in both academics and co-curricular
activities, says Dr. Carolyn Cragin,
Transitional Superintendent for the
district.
Cragin outlined the positives of
a new regionalized high school and
her hopes for the district in a recent
interview with THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE. “Well, we believe there will
be plenty of good things that come
out of the regionalization. We think
that the new school will provide increased opportunities in academics,
art, and athletics. Having a larger
number of students will enable us to
really expand the opportunities for
students coming from both Harwich
and Chatham.”
The superintendent added, “With
more students we will be able to expand both athletics and education.
An example I like to use is that we
will be able to have more teams of
the same program, like a freshmen
team for sports. This will improve
the success of the sports teams as a
whole. The higher numbers of students will also allow the school to
offer more academic programs like
more language classes.”
While the new high school is
scheduled to open in September,
2014, the Monomoy School District
will officially begin operating as of
July 1, 2012. Last December, both
Harwich and Chatham approved
regionalization and since then, a
new Monomoy District School Committee has been busy planning and
executing the things that need to be
accomplished to make the transition
HIGH EXPECTATIONS--Dr. Carolyn Cragin, transitional superintendent for the new Monomoy
Regional School District, looks forward to offering more opportunities for students when the new
high school opens in September, 2014.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
successful. While both Chatham and
Harwich will keep the elementary
schools in their respective towns, a
middle school of grades 5 through
7 will be located in Chatham on the
campus of the current Chatham Middle School and Chatham High School,
making one larger middle school.
There will also be some modifications
to accommodate a small expansion of
the central office in the middle school
building. Monomoy Regional High
School, a new facility, will be built on
the grounds of the current Harwich
High School and will house grades 8
through 12 with an expected enrollment of 700 students.
The new school will be a single
building, “one large, state of the art
building,” Cragin said, adding, “The
students won’t have to worry about
walking between buildings in the cold
during winter. It’s going to be a very
nice complex.”
Until MRHS opens, in the interim, some sports teams have already
been combined such as the Chatham/
Harwich football, field hockey, and
ice hockey teams. Some students
have shadowed each other at both
current high schools and teachers at
Chatham and Harwich high schools
are working together to write a common curriculum.
While Harwich was an overwhelming supporter of regionalization, the vote in Chatham was
narrower and some residents and
students still are not totally comfortable with it.
However, Cragin is confident
that both towns and their citizens
and students will be happy with the
new Monomoy Regional School District. Efforts have been made to be
inclusive of the opinions from both
Harwich and Chatham. Students
helped select the name of the new
district and are now offering input for
the mascot in addition to visiting each
other’s schools and even attending
social events, such as dances.
One concern of students involves
the selection of teachers for the new
high school. Cragin said that question is one that has been raised by
several constituencies. “The truth is
that all teachers with current professional status are protected by state
law. I talked with Dr. Lanzo (recently
retired superintendent of Chatham
Public Schools) personally about the
programs being expanded in the new
school in order to increase the opportunities for students. The plan is to
work in the future with the principal
of the new high school to establish
programs based on enrollment. Of
course, all this isn’t going to take
place until the school is actually built.
The plan for the moment is to make
the most of the teachers the schools
currently have.”
Students have also asked about
the trophy cases and championship
banners in both high schools and how
they will be housed in the new facility. Cragin said that when she was in
Chatham High School recently she
saw all the banners in the gym and
wants to make sure those will be in
Monomoy. “The school we are looking at as our model will have a large
gym complex with three basketball
courts and plenty of wall space to
celebrate the achievements of the two
schools.”
Cragin is clearly enthusiastic
about the Monomoy Regional School
District and all that it has to offer for
students in Chatham and Harwich.
How the students actually merge
together however, will be something
that only the future will tell. In the
meantime, faculty, staff, and administrators in both districts are working
hard for a successful transition and
merger.
Brian Bogue hopes to win a title
Continued from page 1
helped him find a place to use this anger. Bogue’s word of advice to others
with the same issue is, “Smarten up
and don’t be upset; the world is a good
place. Life is what you make of it.”
Bogue has found inspiration through
many people, for example his Coach
Seth Silva, who has shown him how
to be a good fighter and to be a good
person. Silva is one of Brian’s role
models. In addition, Bogue’s grandfather and grandmother have shown
Bogue that although life can be tough,
one can always be strong.
Not only does Bogue work hard
on his fighting, he is also president of
WORK OUT--Brian Bogue uses the high school fitness room to stay in shape.
July Millett Photo
CHS’s Young Gentlemen’s Club and
works at the Chatham Village Market.
Clearly Bogue is not only pursuing his dreams, but making a point to
contribute to the community which
has helped him achieve his goals.
“It’s important to give back in life.”
Bogue also has a personal, wellknown motto which he believes will
help him pursue his dreams: “Hard
work will pay off; do what you love,
and the money will follow.”
In the next five to 10 years, turn
on your TV every once in a while to
catch a match, and you never know,
you might see Chatham High’s very
own Brian Bogue winning the World
Title.
NEWS
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
3
Gradone focuses on Chatham
Continued from Page 1
ates as the regional district beginning
in July 1, 2012.
In the meantime, Dr. Carolyn
Cragin, superintendent of the Harwich Public Schools, has taken on the
job of transitional superintendent of
the Monomoy District. The decision
by the Chatham School Committee
to continue with a superintendent for
the Chatham Schools saved the town
money, but even more importantly,
allowed the Chatham School District
to continue to be operated as a separate entity by a superintendent whose
focus would be on Chatham students.
Gradone was appointed to the position unanimously by the Chatham
School Committee in April.
As far as the challenges of the upcoming year goes, Gradone shares the
same concerns as everyone else does,
“There is a lot of work to be done, but
the most important work to be done
is this year.” Gradone provides an
interesting perspective: rather than
focusing on the years ahead and the
challenges associated with the upcoming regionalization, he suggests
ensuring that this year is the best year
possible, using the analogy of a 4th
grader, whose 4th grade year should
not be neglected due to reservations
or concerns about the year ahead.
When the issue of regionalization was first floated to the public,
Gradone was generally in favor of
making the change. Watching the
demise of Provincetown High School,
he feared the same consequences for
Chatham, due to the mass student
exodus to larger schools like Nauset
and Cape Cod Tech over the last two
years. Gradone has high hopes for
the new Monomoy Regional School,
which he says will allow for “little improvements” to the Chatham School
District.
However, this year is the one on
which Gradone is focused. He said
he hopes to further develop the per-
A CHECK AND A VISIT--Ellen Corindia, center, receives a check from Lisa Doyle and her
English class when Corindia visited the school to discuss A.L.S.
Staff Photo
News Briefs
forming arts program, improve the
high school engineering program, and
see more young elementary students
reading.
Already settling comfortably into
Chatham, Gradone said he does not
find his position here easier than his
position at Nauset, “It‘s just different,” he maintains. One of the greatest
differences has been the face to face,
more personal meetings and interactions that a small school system like
Chatham provides, and he said he
relishes the closeness of this environment. Gradone even jokes that he told
Kathy Curt, the high school secretary,
that she should have a warning button under her desk because he visits
Principal Paul Mangelinkx so often.
When not attending to his school
responsibilities, Gradone finds time
for his many interests including
drama. His love of the performing
arts was commemorated when his
name and that of his wife Claire were
engraved on two front-row chairs at
the Nauset Regional High School
auditorium by the school’s drama
club. Gradone maintains that this
is the gift of which he is most proud.
Gradone is also on the Board of
Directors of the Brewster Ladies’
Library, serving as the board secretary. His interest in baseball led him
to become the vice president of the
local Brewster Whitecaps. Though
he loves to read, Gradone finds that
he “never has enough time” with
the busy schedule involved in administering three separate Chatham
schools. And for Gradone, that
means being a visible presence in
all of the schools.
So, if you see a smiling, bearded
new face in the corridors here at
Chatham High School, you have
probably just passed by Superintendent Mike Gradone. With Gradone’s confidence and commitment
invested in this school year, things
are looking good for Chatham.
GOLD WINNERS--Chatham High School students who won gold medals in the October Special
Olympics at Harwich High School include from left: Taylor Jacques, Mollie Bunting, Jeff
Carran, and Amanda Sarno.
Kerri Robinson Photo
Students raise funds for A.L.S
Compiled by Kevin Couto
Production Editor
Lisa Doyle’s 11th grade College
Prep class raised $245 for the A.L.S.
Family Charitable Fund. The check
was presented to Ellen Corindia, who
has lived with A.L.S. for 10 years.
Corindia visited the 11th grade class
after the students finished reading,
Tuesdays with Morrie, a famous
non-fiction book about a professor
who died from A.L.S. Corindia also
created and presented a DVD titled
Living With Courage and Grace,
which deeply moved students during
her visit to Chatham High School.
South American cultures that are ofThe Young Woman’s Club had ten eaten at the resting places of loved
a guest speaker, Jane Chase, visit ones. The foods cooked included
Chatham High School on October cheese quesadillas, tacos with salsa,
6th. Chase is a three-time breast ‘eyeball’ cookies, and other assorted
cancer survivor, as well as a member Hispanic foods.
of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer
Coalition.
On October 24th, Jim Kennedy,
Associate Director of Admissions at
Students of Dr. Joan Aucoin’s the New England Culinary Institute,
culinary classes hosted a Day of the visited Dr. Joan Aucoin’s culinary
Dead celebration with Senora Bres- classes.Kennedy explained to stunahan’s 2nd block Spanish class and dents the reality of entering the work
Chuck Cataldo’s 3rd block engineer- force, as well as the various bills that
ing class. The classes were inspired to students have to embrace as they enter
cook traditional food by Mexican and adulthood. He also urged students
to consider career opportunities as
students enroll in post Chatham High
School programs.
On October 21st, Chatham High
school students participated in the
Special Olympics. The Special Olympics were hosted this year by Harwich
High School. This year was the
Olympics 4th annual year. Chatham
students have attended and participated every year in events such as soccer,
football, cheerleading, volleyball and
more. All students that participated in
the Olympics this year returned home
with gold medals.
4
NEWS
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
9/11 NYC firefighter shares memories
By Kristin Howard
Staff Writer
Lt. John Ahern, a New York
City firefighter, witnessed with his
own eyes the devastation at Ground
Zero during the terrorist attack on
the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. On Thursday, Sept.
8, 2011, Ahern, now retired from
Ladder Company 144, shared his
personal experiences of that day and
the following week in a presentation
to students that was both informative
and deeply moving.
Ahern was a guest speaker in
David Alexander’s senior American
Government class. His visit was arranged by Dr. Joan Aucoin, culinary
arts teacher, who learned just that
morning that her house guest, Ahern,
who was visiting with Aucoin’s
brother, had been a First Responder
on Sept. 11.
The retired firefighter told the
class how his day unfolded and the
amazing courage that so many people
demonstrated from victims to ordinary citizens to emergency personnel.
It was a brilliant fall day and Ahern
who was off duty at home, turned on
his television, “I saw the first tower
come down.”
Knowing help was needed at the
World Trade Center, Ahern rushed to
his home fire station in Queens near
Shea Stadium and asked his men
who were just changing shifts who
would be coming with him. All the
firefighters responded, “Yes.” They
then made their way to Shea Stadium
where First Responders were being
picked up by bus and then transported
into Manhattan. They arrived shortly
after the second building, the South
Tower, collapsed.
A DAY TO REMEMBER--John Ahern, retired New York City firefighter, talks to students about
what it was like to be at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001.
Staff Photo
Because of the falling debris
from the collapsed buildings and the
explosions, Ahern said, “There was a
cloud so thick you couldn’t see your
hand in front of you.” He added,
“What I saw were 8 ½ x 11 pieces
of paper floating continuously in the
sky. Most of the World Trade Center
offices were legal and financial; all of
their paper records and supplies were
flying though the air like snow. The
wind from the fire kept everything
blowing around.” The wind trajectory ranged from 40 to 80 miles per
hours that day with the wind coming
in off of the Hudson River.
Then Ahern’s voice choked up as
he fought back tears and said, “There
was mulch flying all over, crushed
particles, and body parts.” As a firefighter for 33 years and a former New
York City policeman as well, Ahern
thought he had seen it all, but said,
“Everything was other than normal.”
Ahern and his team searched the
street alongside the collapsed buildings to look for survivors or bodies,
but eventually had to withdraw “because steel columns were hitting adjoining buildings and damaging their
walls and facades. It was determined
that falling pieces of buildings would
crush the firefighters.”
In a voice strained with emotion,
Ahern recalled the last minutes for
many of the victims. “People were
calling home. They didn’t realize it
was just a short period of time before
they would perish... some people died
in elevators that were stuck—they
weren’t found for a week.” The heat
was so intense that people just jumped
out of windows, Ahern said and
explained that “your subconscious
takes over” and blocks your power
of reason.
Ahern spent a total of 50 hours
working at Ground Zero as he and
other emergency personnel tried to
sort through what was left of the
World Trade Center in a frantic effort to locate survivors. There was a
personal, painful loss as well; Ahern
had personally trained 15 younger
firefighters promoted to leadership
positions and who perished as they
tried to save victims.
When asked by a student why
he decided to come and speak to the
class, Ahern said that he hoped that
when the students left the classroom
they would tell other students his
story and a cycle would begin so that
people would never forget what happened on that day.
Ahern’s presentation apparently
had a sobering impact on students.
Aucoin noted, “It was truly amazing how none of the students moved
to leave when John was speaking
and the dismissal bell rang. As the
dismissal busses drove by, students
remained for another 10 minutes until
his question and answer period was
finished.”
Christina Neville said, “I thought
that he was very genuine and was very
honest with his emotions. It helped us
understand.” “He was awesome and
heartfelt,” said Bruce Aslanian.
“Lt. Ahern’s talk was a tremendous opportunity for students to learn
from someone who was there,” said
Alexander.
Alexander’s comment was supported by student Brian Bogue. “I
think it’s amazing how effective it is
when someone who experienced 9/11
firsthand can talk with you and have
such a deep impact on you.”
Cape Cod students explore
human rights issues
By Kevin Couto
Production Editor
The Diversity/Gay Straight Alliance Club went to the Human Rights Academy at the Harwich Community
Center on Nov. 17 accompanied by club advisor Donna Bresnahan. Once at the Human Rights Academy,
students did an exercise to get to know each other better. They completed a questionnaire which required
students to talk to people they did not know and ask them a question about human rights.
After this first exercise, a commissioner of the Human Rights Academy gave a lecture to students about
his involvement in the Civil Rights movements. He also showed and explained what icons were and how
Martin Luther King was an icon in the Civil Rights movement. Afterwards, students were asked to create an
icon that represents human rights. Some of the icons created out of Legos were a heart to symbolize John
Lennon, a lightning bolt for Lady Gaga, a world block, a perfect town, a perfect man, and other interesting
creations. After presenting their icons to other participants and eating lunch, students shared human rights
projects they have done in the past and discussed what they plan to do this year for human rights.
The final event of the day was an exercise called “cross the line.” Students were asked a question and
if students believed that the question applied to them, they had to walk to the other side of the line or room.
BIG BIRD--This plump gobbler perched
outside of the culinary arts classroom just days
before Thanksgiving. Fortunately for him, the
turkey was not on the pre-holiday feast that the
students prepared for family and friends.
Sarah Lanning Photo
OPINION
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
5
Editorial
Let’s make
regionalization
really work
Voters in Harwich and Chatham decided last year to merge into one
school system, the Monomoy Regional School District, which officially
begins operating as a new district July 1, 2012, although some pre-merger
business is already happening. Whether you were for or against regionalization, it is here, so it is up to both towns to do what they can to make this
merger go as smoothly as possible.
Many students think of the regionalization in terms of the future only,
and since most of the current Chatham High School population will have
graduated when Monomoy Regional High School opens in September,
2014, students think that this is not something that concerns them. On the
contrary, a lot of the responsibility for this regionalization falls upon the
current high school students. It is the duty of these students to lay a good
foundation for the merger and to do what they can to make it an easy and
welcome change.
Good efforts have already been made. For example, Harwich and Chatham have hosted each other for dances, and student council exchanges
between the two schools have occurred. Sports teams are also integrating,
including field hockey, cross-country, hockey, football and soon, sailing and
track. These are important strides towards making this a seamless merger,
but there are other aspects to consider, as well.
There has always been some rivalry between Harwich and Chatham,
mainly over sports. While some competition can be a great thing, it must
be kept in mind that soon both schools will be playing on the same team,
both on the field and off. This mindset should be passed on to the middle
school and elementary school students. The regionalization is ultimately
going to be affecting the younger students, and it is a good idea to listen to
what they have to say and to use their opinions to help create a better environment for everyone in the new school. Older students should be setting
good examples for the younger ones and encouraging enthusiasm for the
regionalization. Successful regionalization depends on effective cooperation
between the Harwich and Chatham communities. As students of Chatham
High School, it is our obligation to make it the best it can possibly be. This
is our legacy to the future.
Roving Reporter
What can students do to make transition
to Monomoy Regional HS go smoothly?
Compiled by Kyle Bessette
Opinion Editor
“I think that freshmen from both
Chatham and Harwich should have a field
trip, or just get together to get to know one
another better. The student councils should
work together and have meetings and try to
combine events like dances or cookouts.”
Katherine Hall, freshman
“Students should be open-minded
about the benefits of regionalization. I
often hear complaints about combining
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE
the student newspaper for
Chatham High School, home of
the Blue Devils
with Harwich students, but since it has
been decided that the schools will join, we
need to focus on the educational and social
benefits of the situation. Students should
take advantage of the opportunity to meet
new people when Chatham/Harwich events
are planned.”
Sydney Whitcomb, junior
“The Chatham students can start making friends with Harwich students. They
could play sports with Harwich students
Editors
Kyle Bessette
Opinion
Kevin Couto
Production
Christie Macomber
News
Amanda Malone
Arts & Ent
Olivia Malone
Features
July Millett
Graphic Arts
Jonathan Watkins
Photo
Ryan Williamson
Sports
and go to Harwich dances if invited.”
Wilson Amezquita, sophomore
“I feel like it’s important for students
to keep an open mind and be optimistic.
No one really knows how the new school
will turn out, but that doesn’t mean it’s
automatically going to be bad. The main
thing is to just have a positive outlook on
the merger and hope for the best.”
Ryan Williamson, senior
“More of the focus should be put on
Staff
Savannah Chase, Alex Dillon,
Kaarina Firmin, Carly Holzrichter,
Kristin Howard, Sarah Lanning,
Ginger Lowell, Laurel Marsland,
Libby Nickerson, Austin Treat
Principal: Paul Mangelinkx
425 Crowell Road
Chatham, MA 02633
(508) 945-5140
FAX (508) 945 - 5110
http://chatham.k12.ma.us
Elaine Aschettino Faculty Advisor
Press Affiliations
American Scholastic Press
Association
the middle school students who will actually experience the first years of physically
regionalizing. The ideas and concerns of
these students should be the first priority.”
Olivia Malone, senior
“It would be a great idea to have all of
the students get to know each other a little
better before the merger; that way, the first
years would be more beneficial, seeing as
we will be graduating together. We could
do fundraisers together, like the freshmen
carwash.”
Brenna McGill, freshman
The opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of the students and do
not necessarily reflect the views of the
Chatham High School faculty, staff,
and administration.
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE welcomes
Letters to the Editor. All letters must
be signed and a telephone number
listed for verification. Unsigned letters
will not be published. Please drop off
all letters to Room A143.
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE is typeset
on Compaq computers using Adobe
InDesign. The newspaper is printed by
LuJean Printing Co. in Cotiuit, MA
6
FEATURES
GIRLS WORLD--Senior girls show spirit by dressing alike for Homecoming.
Kaarina Firmin Photo
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
IT’S A TEAM--Participants in the dodge ball tournament include, from left: Logan Firmin,
Fabe Cheron, Kaarina Firmin, Nilda Corres, Taylor Williams , and Liam Phelan.
Kerri Robinson Photo
Homecoming shows creative spirit
By Olivia Malone
Features Editor
This year’s Homecoming came
in with the crisp fall weather and
Chatham High School was excited to
show off its school spirit.
Throughout the week leading up
to the night of the Homecoming dance
on Oct. 22, math teacher Jonathan
Ambrose had his own annual Spirit
Week for students to participate in,
featuring days such as ‘Clash Day’
and the traditional ‘School Colors
Day’ on Friday.
Directly after school on Friday,
students from each class began
working on their cafeteria corner to
decorate in the theme of ‘Music Videos’. As students continued to work
on their corners into the night, the
girls soccer team traveled to Nauset
Regional High School to play under
the lights.
In the morning, Saturday, it was
time for each class to present its
skit and corner to the judges. The
freshmen chose the song “Tonight,
Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae, decorating their corner with a stage and sky
scrapers. Their skit featured singing,
dancing, and colorful posters. The
sophomore class decided upon the
song “Old Time Rock and Roll”,
and did a play-off of Tom Cruise’s
famous air guitar scene in the film
Risky Business. The juniors created a
stage and recreated the VMA’s; they
featured celebrities such as Taylor
Swift, Kanye West, Sasha Fierce
herself, and Beyoncé.
The seniors thought more outside
of the box, decorating their corner in
the theme of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. However, instead of
having the classic characters, they
ROYAL DUO--Amanda Malone, Homecoming Queen and Brian Bogue, Homecoming King,
share a laugh during the festivities.
Kerri Robinson Photo
had celebrities such as Justin Bieber,
Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus enter
the chocolate factory. Senior Kristin
Howard, who also played a hysterical Britney Spears, commented on
the corners, “I thought the corners
were a great show of creativity. All
the grades, especially the freshmen,
put in a lot of great effort!” For the
Evan Forgeron, Robby Ostrer, Alexis
Charest, Wilson DeJesus, and Chris
Ryder. “We didn’t really have any
strategy going into it; we all just contributed and somehow won. I think
it was our team’s swag,” laughed
Lyndsi Forgeron.
That night was the Homecoming
dance, one of the most well attended
“I thought the corners were a great show of creativity.
All the grades, especially the freshmen, put in a lot of
great effort!”
Kristen Howard, Senior
first time in years, the juniors won by
a mere three points over the seniors.
Up next was the dodge ball
competition; the winning team was
Team Swag, consisting of Lyndsi and
dances in recent history. Kayla Howe
reflected, “I thought it was well decorated and fun for the most part. I also
enjoyed the music!” In keeping with
tradition, the senior girls attended
wearing unique tops. This year, the
girls wore glow in the dark shirts.
Homecoming court was determined at the end of the night after
counting up the week of votes by
the student body. Brian Bogue and
Amanda Malone were crowned king
and queen. Other members of the
court included Christie Macomber,
Julia Fraser, and Faith Farrenkopf, as
well as Matt Lucas, Sean Summers,
and Ryan Williamson.
Overall, Homecoming this year
was a success with more participation
and creativity by every grade than in
past recent years.
Homecoming was sponsored by
the Student Council. Kerri Robinson,
advisor, said, “ Being my first Homecoming Weekend (as faculty advisor),
I think Homecoming events went
great. I was impressed by all grades
on their creative corners.”
Come join
the fun!
Debate Club
Wednesdays after
school in the
room B143
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
FEATURES
7
Mr. Burns brings mini zoo to biology
By Laurel Marsland
Staff Writer
The new biology and forensic science teacher, Dustan Burns, is making
quite the entrance this school year.
With three unusual classroom pets--a
tarantula spider, a python snake, and a
hamster--everyone is wondering who
this new teacher is.
Well, Burns grew up in Rapidan,
VA and at a young age was interested
in exotic animals. After high school,
he attended the University of Virginia
and went into retail management.
However, Burns discovered that the
retail industry was not enjoyable so
he considered a different route, which
led him to eight years of service in the
United States Army including deployment to Iraq in 2005. Burns considers
his service in Iraq as his greatest and
most interesting adventure.
After the military, Burns decided
to pursue his interest in teaching and
love of biology and ended up spending five years in Greensboro, NC
where he taught biology at Western
Guilford High School. Burns recalls
that his own high school Advanced
Placement biology teacher also had
a significant influence on him and is
one of the reasons that he decided to
go into education.
FRIENDLY CRITTER-Biology teacher Dustan Burns shows off Drake, his ball python, to
students.
July Millett Photo
So, how did he end up on Cape
Cod? Well, his wife grew up in
Brewster, Burns explained, and they
decided they might like to live near
her family in an area they both enjoyed visiting. So far, Burns said,
“I love it!”
Burns said his transition from
teaching in North Carolina to Chatham is going well. Western Guildford
High School is much larger than Chatham High School (CHS), he said and
has much larger class sizes. Burns
prefers teaching the smaller classes
in Chatham because it allows him
to have more time with the students
and gives him an opportunity to provide the students with a personalized
education. Although new to the area
and CHS, Burns said he views the
regionalization with Harwich Public
Schools as an exciting opportunity for
both Chatham and Harwich.
Burns has been impressed with
what he sees at CHS, “The staff
and students are excellent. More
specifically, the students are highly
motivated, and there is an extremely
supportive staff.”
Asked about the forensics course
he is currently teaching, Burns said,
“Forensics is a new course for me, but
the biology component is what I am
comfortable with.”
In addition to his love for teaching
and exploring his new environs on
Cape Cod, Burns has several other
interests that keep him busy. He
admits to being an avid video game
player; he loves to play Xbox. Burns
also enjoys reading in his spare time
and of course, there are his animals.
While Burns has three classroom
‘pets’, he also has three home pets, a
dog and two cats. When asked which
pet was his favorite, he responded, “I
love the animals equally.”
Burns thinks it would be really
awesome if there were miniature elephants that people could have as
pets. He would surely have one.
Although new to Chatham High
School, Burns already has won the
hearts of many students with his easy
manner, his classroom critters, and his
enthusiasm for teaching.
Ms. Schlichter ‘ignites’ scientific curiosity
By Ginger Lowell
Staff Writer
When she was a child, Karen
Schlichter, the new chemistry and
physics teacher, used to conduct experiments in her room and explode
things. Her mother wasn’t too happy
about that, but Schlichter just loved
chemistry. Now Schlichter is sharing that passion with her students at
Chatham High School (CHS).
She has connected easily with the
students who describe her as witty
and interesting and full of energy.
So far, Schlichter likes what she sees
from her students. “I enjoy how motivated my students are—chemistry
and physics are a challenge, but all
my students seem to embrace it.” She
said that laboratories are the best part
of the “science experience, and I love
doing them at this school.”
Schlichter describes CHS as “a
very welcoming school” and said she
really enjoys it here. “Even though
CHS is a small school—no one is
small-minded. The students here
seem to have a maturity that I have
not seen elsewhere.”
Schlichter has been teaching for
eight years at schools much larger
than Chatham including Wareham
small child, I learned the value of
safety.”
Schlichter attended Keene State
College in New Hampshire where
she earned her bachelor’s degree and
went on to do master’s degree work
at the University of Massachusetts,
Amherst.
However, life isn’t all chemistry
for Schlichter. Her favorite food is
lobster, which she catches when she
scuba dives. She also enjoys reading,
swimming, and taking care of her
black Labrador puppy, Scout, who is
a year old and knows four tricks and
five commands. It is Schlichter’s
dream to train Scout in search and
rescue techniques.
Although Schlichter has had
A PASSION FOR SCIENCE--Karen Schlichter, shares her enthusiasm for chemistry with
several jobs throughout her life, she
students.
describes her current teaching posiJonathan Watkins Photo
High School and for the Brewster job in public safety, chemistry has tion at Chatham as “the best job I
Department of Youth Services. In been her passion and she has been a ever had!” Schlichter adds, “The true
addition to teaching, Schlichter has chemist for 20 years. When she was measure of how amazing a job is, is if
also been a firefighter and paramedic 12 and concocting experiments in her you’d do it for free—I would!”
While students clearly have a
in Ashfield, MA where she was a se- room, Schlichter realized she had to
nior medic and fire department safety be a chemist. However, Schlichter positive image of Schlichter, the CHS
officer. “Doing fire and ambulance also discovered that if she wanted to staff is also happy to have her as part
gave me the joy for life I have to- ever grow up to fulfill her dream, she of their team. Guidance counselor
day—life can change in an instant.” had to do so safely. “After several Richard Gifford said, “She’s great…
Much as Schlichter enjoyed her trips to the Emergency Room as a a great fit.”
8
FEATURES
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
AFS students add global diversity
By Christie Macomber
News Editor
This year, Chatham High School
(CHS) is hosting three American Foreign Exchange Students (AFS). Simon
Pfluger of Germany, Marina Asagoe
of Japan, and Paty Alejandra Pérez
Chavez of Chile, have brought their
unique cultures to Chatham.
“I like it so far. I like the school
system and soccer. I like that you play
sports everyday,” says Pfluger.
Chavez, who goes to a Catholic
high school with 1000 students, says
that our school system is much simpler
than what she is used to, “The people
in Latin America are nice… and here
I know people are very nice too, like
my host family and my new friends,
says Chavez.”
Asagoe, who attends an all-girls
school of 400 students, also notices
differences between her school in
Japan and Chatham High School. In
Japan, all the girls who attend Asagoe’s
school must wear a uniform, pull their
hair back, and ornamentations like nail
polish are prohibited.
Simon Pfluger does not attend
a conventional American-style high
school, but a school with students in
grades 5 through 12. “It‘s okay, it‘s not
difficult,” says Pfluger, of his transition
NEW TO CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL-Patty Alejandra Pérez Chavaz, left;Marina Asagoe,
center; and Simon Pfluger, are AFS students attending Chatham High School this year.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
to CHS. However, he has noticed the
inactivity of many Americans, “There
is no biking or walking. People go
everywhere by car.” Pfluger has also
been surprised by the openness of the
American household, commenting on
his surprise that “every door is open.”
With all of the clubs and sports
offered at Chatham High School,
deciding which to participate in can
sometimes be overwhelming. However, Pfluger, who is currently actively
involved on the soccer team, is also
considering playing ice hockey in the
winter, and baseball in the spring, as
well as joining the Young Gentlemen’s
Club. Asagoe wants to join cheerleading, as well as Sandscript, the high
school’s literary magazine.
The recent 10-year anniversary of
the September 11th terrorist attacks has
struck a chord with Asagoe who recalls
September 11 in Japan, “I remember
that many adults were saying ‘When
I watched it on TV, I thought it was
a Hollywood movie show. I couldn't
believe that it was an actual terrorist attack.’ Of course I watched it on TV, but
it was too devastating to acknowledge
for me too. On September 11th, we
watch about 9/11 on TV every year (in
Japan). In government history class at
Chatham High School, I learned about
9/11 and it cast new light on 9/11 about
how it is a big deal for the United States
people. In Japan, we don't learn about
9/11 in any class.”
With much of the school year still
left to go, there are many things for
Pfluger, Asagoe, and Chavez to look
forward to. “I want to do more, go to
Boston and New York City,” Asagoe
says, adding that she is also excited to
visit the city museums. Chavez would
like to practice fencing, a favorite pastime of hers that is not practiced in the
U.S. as often as in Chile.
With the school year just beginning
and many more experiences to come,
the AFS students will no doubt have
an unforgettable year in Chatham and
make new friends along the way.
Ms. Wheaton, a cutting-edge curator
By Carly Holzrichter
Staff Writer
Sarah Wheaton, the new media
center director for Chatham High
School and Chatham Middle School,
has been busy making the library a user
friendly place since she took on her new
job in July after the retirement of the
well-loved Robert Bourke.
An experienced teacher and librarian, Wheaton has many plans for
the Elizabeth Reynard Media Center,
or library, as most students refer to
it. Her goals include organizing the
library, getting to know her students,
and making the library a comfortable
work space.
"I'd like this to be a place where
kids can work," she explained. She is
still getting to know the collection, but
said that she has noticed that quite a few
of the books need to be updated, especially books in the sciences. Wheaton
would like to update the science collection every five years, but realizes this
would be very expensive.
She is also working on adding
books that students can read for enjoyment. Suggestions are welcome,
she said, so if you are an avid reader,
mention a few of your favorite books
and authors to her. Wheaton said she
would eventually like to see more of the
collection be an electronic one.
\
SO MANY BOOKS--Sarah Wheaton, the new media center director, shares her love of books and
technology with students in the middle school and high school.
Kevin Couto Photo
Another one of Wheaton's goals
this year is to continue to organize the
books. She realizes that students have
a hard time finding what they are looking for and wants to make the library
and its collection easier for everyone
to access. One of her frustrations this
year has been to get all of the computers to work and the printers to print, but
things are running more smoothly now
than they were in September.
Wheaton seems to be transitioning
well to Chatham and has added some
new responsibilities to those she had
in previous jobs. For example, she is
teaching a video production class for
the first time. Fortunately, Wheaton
has lots of experience with related
technology, so she has enjoyed this new
task. She will also be advising the high
school audio-visual club. Wheaton is
looking for members and encourages
anyone who has an interest to contact
her.
Wheaton has worked on Cape Cod
since 1993 when she began teaching
seventh grade at Wixon Middle School
in Dennis. After four years there, she
continued on to Dennis-Yarmouth
(DY) Regional High School. She
taught ninth grade at DY, her first experience as a high school teacher. After
three years at DY, Wheaton moved to
Mattacheese Middle School where she
worked for 11 years as librarian. Due
to budget cuts, which kept the library
open, but did not fund a librarian,
Wheaton was out of a job.
Wheaton had grown to love the
Cape and had no desire to leave, so she
focused her job search locally. She
said she was extremely grateful when
she was offered the media center position in Chatham.
Wheaton is enjoying her time at the
middle and high school. "I'm loving it!"
she noted several times. She describes
the students at Chatham as “nice kids.”
Not surprisingly, Wheaton loves
to read and is a fan of the classics.
Some of her favorite books include
Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby, and The
Help; some of her favorite authors are
Jodi Picoult, Sally Gunning, and Jane
Austen. Wheaton is currently reading
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,
which she recommends to those who
enjoy science and reading.
If you have not done so already,
Wheaton would love for students to
stop by to chat with her. She wants everyone to feel comfortable in the library
and to be able to use it as a resource and
a place to enjoy a good book.
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
FEATURES/ ART & ENT
9
Juniors follow in Thoreau’s footsteps
By: Austin Treat
Staff Writer
The Transcendentalists of the
19th century would have truly been
proud of the Junior English classes
this semester.
Following a new rigorous Transcendentalist curriculum that English
teacher Elaine Aschettino created
after spending a week at the Walden
Woods Project in Concord this summer, students in her Junior Honors
English class were accompanied by
Lisa Doyle’s Junior College Preparatory English class on a field trip following in the footsteps of naturalist
writers Henry David Thoreau and
Henry Beston.
Transcendentalism was a literary,
political, and philosophical movement during the 1830s and 1840s
founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Transcendentalists believed that divinity was present in all living things.
This belief, along with the emphasis
on the power of the human mind, the
beauty of nature, and the individual,
started one of the most influential
movements in American history.
The Transcendentalists, some
of the more famous ones being Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Amos Bronson Alcott,
Frederic Henry Hedge, and Theodore
Parker, believed that immersing yourself in nature was a far better way of
studying it than burying your face in
a textbook and reading about it.
Aschettino took that philosophy
to heart and orchestrated an all day
trip that started off with a visit to
the tallest lighthouse on the Cape,
Highland Lighthouse where Thoreau
TOP OF THE LIGHT--The Highland Lighthouse in Truro provided students with a birds eye
view of the Cape Cod National Seashore on a recent field trip.
July Millett Photo
stayed briefly on some of his four trips
to Cape Cod.
Highland Lighthouse is located
on top of a large bluff in Truro that
still provides superior guidance to all
ships at sea. It was a dazzling, bright,
warm day for the trip, perfect for the
sense of place that students were trying to discover.
The students also had the pleasure
of a guided trip inside the lighthouse
and all the way up to the top by Dan
Sanders, who is president of the
Highland Museum and Lighthouse.
Sanders shared stories of tragic shipwrecks that happened right off the
shore of Highland Light. Some of
those ships are still missing at sea,
engulfed by the never ending might
of the everlasting ocean.
While the students listened to the
stories and interesting facts at the top
of the lighthouse, they could gaze out
at the majestic landscape and visualize where the shipwrecks occurred so
many years ago.
The next stop on this six-hour
adventure was to the Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor
Center in Eastham. Here the English
classes explored the museum’s modest collection of whaling artifacts and
boating equipment from the 19th century that consisted of various items
made from whale teeth like pipes
and knives; there were also several
harpoons on display and even an old
cannon.
Students watched two films at the
visitor center. Thoreau’s Cape Cod
chronicled the famous writer’s visits
to the area, which served as the basis
for his book of essays called Cape
Cod. The other film, The Sands of
Time, explained how Cape Cod and
the dunes and kettle ponds were
formed and also conveyed a strong
message of how fortunate one is to
be able to call this place home.
The last stop on this Transcendentalist journey was to Coast Guard
Beach where students learned about
the great nor’easter that swept away
naturalist-author Henry Beston’s famous Outermost House in 1978.
On the sprawling, golden sand,
students were able to take off their
shoes and explore the beach in order
to get a feeling of tranquility and to
open their eyes to the beauty right in
front of them.
It was here that most of the students were inspired for their Sense of
Place assignments given to them by
their English teachers. Doyle’s class
compiled nature journals and Aschettino’s students gathered footage for a
digital DVD highlighting the majesty
of Cape Cod through literature, history, and the environment.
Clarence Crowell said about the
trip, “I had an enjoyable experience;
we don’t get many opportunities to
go on field trips, it was a nice time to
spend my day.”
This seemed to be the mindset
of many of the juniors who thought
the opportunity to observe and learn
more about their homeland was a
great idea and it gave them a nice
break from the rigors of a routine day
in the classroom.
Alexandra Dillon commented,
“It was really fun, and I learned a
lot about Cape Cod and what it has
to offer.”
Movie Review
‘Black Swan’: a paranoid schizophrenia
By Olivia Malone
Features Editor
In December of 2010, the drama
of the decade, Black Swan was released in theatres. Starring Natalie
Portman, the movie chronicles the
tormented and restricted life of Nina,
a ballerina of a New York City ballet
company.
From the beginning scenes, it is
clear early on that Nina has some sort
of mental disorder. Many ballerinas do
characterize themselves as perfectionists, but Nina’s life is consumed by
her dance career. Soon, Nina displays
symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia,
and she begins to experience several
delusions. She is obsessed with the
delusion that a fellow dance company
member named Lily is ‘out to get
her’, as many paranoid schizophrenics
believe that ‘so-and-so-is-out-to-getme’. Nina also experiences hallucinations: her mother’s paintings begin to
cry and scream; she believes that Lily
and she have an intimate affair, and
she sees an owl-man in the theatre and
runs away in terror.
Nina eventually has a hallucination that she becomes a swan, growing black feathers, her eyes turning
red, her toes becoming webbed, and
even her legs bending backward as a
swan’s does. Nina is currently struggling with perfecting her performance
of the Swan Queen in her company’s
performance of Swan Lake. As Nina’s
stress increases, her mental instability
intensifies as well. The hallucinations
become more frequent and increas-
ingly violent. She hallucinates that
she stabs Lily in a jealous rage with a
shard of a broken mirror, but it turns
out she has stabbed herself in the side.
Natalie Portman does an incredible
job in her role as Nina; she perfectly
embodies an innocent, quiet dancer
who goes through a metamorphosis
into the dark, seductive Black Swan.
It is also incredible how Portman
truly dedicated herself to the role of a
perfectionist, mentally instable dancer.
Portman danced seven days a week for
months going through intense training,
even losing 20 pounds in the process.
This is a captivating movie, keeping the audience’s attention throughout. The viewer is constantly on the
lookout for the next of Nina’s hallucinations, cringing at the brutality of
a dancer’s life, admiring Portman’s
impressive ballet dancing, and leaning off the edge of the seat waiting to
observe Nina’s next break with reality. Natalie Portman had to play three
parts in this movie: an innocent ballerina, an obsessive perfectionist, and
a suffering schizophrenic. Portman hit
each of these roles spot on, combining
them all together to form Nina and
winning herself the Golden Globe
for best actress in a drama. The Black
Swan perfectly captures the disturbing
and challenging lifestyle of a woman
living with paranoid schizophrenia.
Editor’s Note: Olivia Malone won
Second Place for this story in The
Cape Cod Time’s “Classroom Times”
edition. Reprinted with permission of
The Cape Cod Times.
10
ARTS & ENT
SORTING THINGS OUT--Count Almaviva, left, and the magistrate, try to make things right in
the Cape Cod Opera’s adaptation of ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’
Jonathan Watkins Photo
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
HATCHING THE PLAN--Countess Almaviva, left, and Susanna, plot to catch the count in an
indiscretion.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
Opera Review
Cape Cod Opera brings ‘Figaro’ to CHS
By Amanda Malone
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Chatham students do not often
have an opportunity to attend the
opera, but that is just what they did
on Friday, November 4th when the
Cape Cod Opera came to Chatham
High School to perform a condensed,
40 minute version of The Marriage
of Figaro.
Students from English, French,
music classes, and more were invited and encouraged to attend this
great arts opportunity. Narrated and
directed by David McCarty, who himself has had professional experience
with opera, this show featured five
very talented opera singers as well as
pianist Lucy Banner.
Jonathan Nussman, baritone,
played Count Almaviva, as well as
Bartolo, the doctor; Christina English,
mezzo soprano, performed as Countess Almaviva, and the housekeeper
to Bartolo. Sarah Callinan, soprano,
was superb as Susanna, maid to the
Countess and engaged to Figaro, valet to the Count, who was played by
Christopher Tufts, baritone. Brandan
Buckley, tenor, played three roles:
Don Basilio, the music master; Don
Curzio, a magistrate; and Cherubino,
the Count’s page.
This wonderful operatic performance began with Figaro and
Susanna, engaged to be married,
discussing the Count’s philandering
eye towards Susanna. So Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess, distressed
by the Count’s actions, plot against
the Count. Meanwhile, Marcellina,
the housekeeper, and Bartolo want to
enforce the payment of a loan by Fi-
TOGETHER AGAIN-Countess Almaviva and her Count Almaviva are reunited after the Count
asks for forgiveness.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
garo, and if he does not pay, they shall
force him into marrying Marcellina.
After a strange twist of events, they
learn that Figaro who never knew his
parents, was the child of Marcellina
and Bartolo. The climax takes place in
the garden, and after a quick exchange
home of Count Almaviva in tranquility and happiness.
Due to the fact that there were
only five performers playing nine
different parts, McCarty called for
a student volunteer. Chatham High
Senior and opera singer, Kristin
“It was quite the performance, and I was fascinated
not only by the voice control but also by the fabulous
piano accompaniment as well.”
Senior Reed Learned
of clothing, the plot against the Count
unfolds. When all of the confusion
has transpired, the identities of those
disguised are revealed, and this leaves
the Count begging the Countess for
forgiveness. This opera ends with the
Howard, took the stage with enthusiasm and outstanding acting skills.
Sophomore Olivia McGadden said,
“The opera was beautiful! I enjoyed
the story.” The opera was interactive
and kept the attention of all students
from beginning to end.
“It was quite the performance,
and I was fascinated not only by the
voice control but also by the fabulous piano accompaniment as well,”
raved senior Reed Learned. When
the opera finished, the students gave
generous applause for the fantastic
performance students rarely have the
chance to see. The Cape Cod Opera
was able to do this free outreach
program with the support of contributions from the Massachusetts Cultural
Council and a variety of local cultural
councils across the Cape.
English teacher Lisa ForteDoyle, as she has done for many
years in the past, coordinated the
opera company’s visit to Chatham
High School. Doyle said, “This assembly was not just an opportunity
to hear opera, but to hear a Mozart
opera. Morzart was not much older
than our students when he composed
his operas and symphonies. The Marriage of Figaro is one of my favorites.
Thank you Cape Cod Opera.”
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE,
Chatham High School’s
award winning student
newspaper, is
available online.
Check it out at:
www. chatham.k12.
ma.us
Click onto Chatham
High School, then
Devils’ Advocate
SPORTS
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
11
A roller coaster season for boys soccer
By Ryan Williamson
Sports Editor
A door closed in Chatham Sports
history on Saturday, Nov. 5th when
the boys varsity soccer team’s final season ended with a 3-0 loss to
Bishop Connelly in the first round of
the state tournament. The whole town
braved the frigid weather to bear witness to the team’s finale.
After a roller coaster season, the
Blue Devils faced their first round
opponents with only 13 men, but the
players came out fighting and made
the much larger Bishop Connelly
earn their win. When the final whistle
blew, boys Coach Scott Thomas told
the team, “Don’t hang your heads.
You guys went out there tonight and
played extremely hard. You’ve had to
deal with a lot of obstacles this season and a lot of guys would have just
given up, but you didn’t. You never
quit and that’s something to be proud
of.” The season may have ended with
a loss, but the Devils started the season with a bang.
The Devils came out of the gate
this year full speed. They faced their
last year’s rival Cape Cod Academy
for their season opener and quickly
put them into submission with a
2-0 win. The boys then faced Upper
Cape Tech and Cape Cod Tech. These
teams have caused Chatham trouble
SCRAMBLE--Matt Lucas, right, goes after the ball in game against Cape Cod Tech.
July Millett Photo
in the past, but they proved to be no
match for the Blue Devils this year.
The Devils first loss of the season
came to Nantucket, which has been a
powerhouse in the Cape and Islands
League for the past two years. The
Chatham players rebounded though
and won the remaining five games in
September including games against
Sturgis and Pope John Paul II.
Part of the success for the Devils
came from German AFS student Simon Pfluger who worked the midfield
with senior captain Pete King perfectly. Most of the goals came from
senior forwards Max Lucarelli and
Aaron Caswell who paired together
well throughout the entire season.
The defense was held together by senior Captain Matt Lucas who played
sweeper. Lucas along with backs
Ryan Williamson and Brent McGlynn acted as a wall on defense, and
goalkeeper Connor Thomas cleaned
any defensive breaches.
The next few games would prove
Golfers live up to par
By Alexandra Dillon
Staff Writer
This past season for Chatham High School’s golf team has been called
one of the finest yet. The Blue Devils had a fantastic season with a winning
record in their league of 5, 4, and 1, and 5, 8, and 1 for their overall record.
“Golf is one of the most fun sports Chatham has to offer. I looked
forward to it every day!” said senior co-captain, Jake Gless. “Many think
of golf as an individual sport, but it really is a team effort,” said senior
co-captain Reed Learned.
Junior Alex Hillman, another co-captain, added. “This was the most
fun season we’ve had over the past two years. Everyone was really driven
to succeed.”
“This group of young men was one of the finest and
most coachable teams that I have had in my career.”
Coach Jim Rondeau
FORCEFUL SHOT--Jake Gless hits the ball
hard in home meet against Nauset.
Kaarina Fimin, Photo
“This group of young men was one of the finest and most coachable
teams that I have had in my career,” said Coach Jim Rondeau who said that
the team will miss the seniors next year, but still has a nucleus of strong,
younger plays who continue to mature in their game.
Chatham High School has always had a fine golf team, and this year’s
season was a hole in one!
tough for the Devils. They faltered
against Nantucket on the island and
then faced Harwich that Friday. This
game was set to be the biggest of
the season and it did not disappoint.
The regionalization showdown was
a slugfest of hard tackles and tough
play.
The two teams kept battering each
other like prizefighters, but Harwich
managed to convert on a last ditch
cross from Mike Mahar to give them
the 1-0 win over Chatham.
Coach Thomas had this to say, “I
told the boys that this might be the last
time Chatham can field a team and
they came out real hard today. They
did not disappoint.” Unfortunately
for Chatham, their next game was
against Pope John Paul II. The Devils
underestimated them and settled for
a 1-1 tie. The stage was then set for
their final game against Nantucket.
The Chatham boys knew this
was their last crack at the undefeated
Whalers and realized that if there was
any hope for a league win, it would
have to be then. The Devils played
Nantucket with intensity, really pushing them back on their heels. But
despite their efforts, Chatham could
not find the back of the net and was
defeated.
The rest of the season was extremely difficult for the Blue Devils.
The team lost senior captains Matt
Lucas and Pete King due to suspensions. These two were the heart and
soul behind the team and their absence was felt in the Devils 3-0 loss
against Sturgis.
The Devils managed to rally
together despite their loss and beat
Cape Cod Academy under the lights
in front of the entire town. However,
things were not going Chatham’s way.
Due to the participation of a Chatham
player who had too many yellow
cards, the Devils had to forfeit the
match. The last game of the season
was against Harwich, and despite a
valiant effort, the Devils proved to
be too weakened to defeat the Rough
Riders.
This season was a roller coaster of
play and emotions. From the successful start to the heartbreaking close,
the Devils never quit. They closed
the door on a sports program that has
been a part of this town for decades,
and they did it with true determination. No one knows what Monomoy
Regional High School Soccer will
bring, but players only hope it can live
up to the standards of sportsmanship
and hard work set by Chatham High
School Soccer.
THE DEVILS’ ADVOCATE November 22, 2011
SPORTS
12
Field hockey wins South Shore League
By Ryan Williamson
Sports Editor
The 2011 season was the first
time the Chatham and Harwich Field
Hockey Teams had ever combined
and their co-op proved to be remarkable.
Despite some initial trepidation
from both teams regarding how the
girls would play together, the results
were remarkable. The girls finished
their season with a phenomenal record of 16-3-2 and won the entire
South Shore League. The Harwich/
Chatham girls proved to be a wrecking crew out on the field. Their strong
defense and relentless offensive play
earned them quite the reputation this
year.
Head Coach Cheryl Poore really
worked the girls hard this season and
tapped their potential. She said, “We
really got a great group of girls this
year and they impress me more and
more after every game.” Their hard
work certainly paid off, especially in
the post season.
The Harwich/Chatham girls went
into the post season with some serious
momentum. Having won the South
Shore League, they were set to play
some difficult teams but they were
MIXING IT UP-- From left to right, Gabby Criowell, Alyssa Schultz, and Lisa Gould keep the
ball in play in game against Medfield.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
never fazed. They’re first opponent
was Medfield. They proved to be
no match for the intense play of the
Rough Riders. The next victim was
Old Rochester. This team had a pretty
good record this season but fell easily
to the Harwich/Chatham girls.
By defeating their first two opponents, the Rough Riders found
themselves in the state semi-finals
tournament. This achievement was a
tremendous one for a team that had
just been assembled this year, and the
stage was set for a monumental game.
The girls faced Cohasset, a team they
had played twice before and tallied a
win and a tie. Both teams battled the
both halves but the defining moment
proved to be a penalty stroke for Cohasset 10 minutes into the first half.
The Harwich/Chatham girls could not
overcome this one and their season
came to a close.
This year has been a great one for
Harwich/Chatham Field Hockey. The
girls from both schools really came
together and played their hearts out.
For senior captains Alyssa Schultz,
Courtney Anacleto, Abby Hanus,
Meghan Richer, and Payton Warner,
it was certainly a great way to end
their high school career.
Captain Alyssa Schultz really
facilitated the merging of the two
schools and her strong play was vital
to the success of the team. She said,
“This year was really great. Playing
with Harwich really gave us an opportunity to improve as a team and
I’m so proud of my girls.”
Chatham was also represented by
junior Ryann McIntire, sophomore
Maddie Lucarelli, and freshman
Brenna McGill. With their first season
going this well, it looks like Harwich/
Chatham Field Hockey is set to be a
league powerhouse in the next few
years as the Monomoy Regional
School District continues to emerge.
Girls soccer team has strong season
in the past, the girls were going into
the game with no knowledge about
how this team played. The Lady
Devils battled until the end. They lost
1-0, but held their heads high after
the game.
Coach Woods shed a few tears
along with seniors Kayla Grosso,
Raffy Lira, Emily Wallace, Ally
Decker, and Kelsey Terrio. With talks
of a possible merge of soccer teams
because of the regionalization of Harwich and Chatham into the Monomoy
School District as of July 1, 2012,
the Chatham girls soccer team ended
their season on a high note.
By Savannah Chase
Staff Writer
The girls’ soccer team entered
their 2011 season with high hopes
and one goal. This team of 18 wanted
to gain a playoff berth early in the
season, and they wanted to win first
place in the Cape and Islands League.
Although the Lady Devils did
not achieve an early tournament
berth, they were the fourteenth seed
in Division III South State Tournament. The team also placed second in
the Cape and Islands League behind
undefeated Nantucket.
The girls team started off their
season with a win against Cape Cod
Academy, only to be upset by Pope
John Paul II and Nantucket their next
two games. With a 2-1 record so far,
the girls knew that they had to pick
up the slack.
“Those two losses really kicked
us into gear, we knew we needed to
step up,” said junior co-captain Taylor
Fry. Other co-captains were Emily
Wallace, Kelsey Terrio, and Savannah Chase. Throughout the rest of
the season the team picked up speed
and ended with a 10-6-3 record that
sent them into the MIAA Division III
South playoffs.
The high scorers of the season
IN CONTROL-- Jordan Frisbie chases down the ball as players from Cape Cod Tech try to move
in on the play.
Jonathan Watkins Photo
were Savannah Chase, Emily Wallace, Taylor Fry and Mckenzie Summers. “The offense this year was very
strong, but the defense and midfield
gave us that extra edge against even
opponents,” said Coach Cary Woods.
The team’s midfield and defense
proved to be the strength of the team.
Goalkeepers Nilda Corres and Mackenzie Barnard made awesome saves
throughout the season and guided the
team to a winning season.
Not only did the players make incredible efforts on the field, their new
coach Cary Woods proved to be an
outstanding match for the girls “We
came together as a team this year, and
that bond that the girls obtained has
really mirrored onto the field,” said
Woods, “I’m very proud of them,”
she continued. The girls played Norfolk Aggie
in the first round of the tournament.
Although Chatham had played them
Winter sports start
after Thanksgiving.
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