November 2015 - Northwest Catholic High School

northwest passages
NOVEMBER 2015
|
VOLUME LIII
“WHERE YOU KNOW THAT YOU BELONG”
Filamena Vukaj ’17 and
Christal Riley ’16 demonstrate Lion pride on the field
“A l ion i s a n a n i m a l
k now n f or it s g r e a t
pr id e , loy a lt y,
a nd s t r e n g t h . A t
Nor t hw e s t C a t hol ic
t ho s e a r e t h r e e w or d s
t h a t w e t r y t o l i ve
b y a nd d i s pl a y t o
t he c om mu n it y. ”
“For me , b e i n g a
N WC L ion i s a l l
a b out pr id e a nd
s t r e n g t h . We h a ve
pr id e i n ou r s c ho ol ,
i n ou r c om mu n it y,
a nd i n e a c h ot he r.”
-D y l a n R i s p ol i ’18
-M a t t he w S ot t i le ’16
“ W h a t b e i n g a L ion
me a n s t o me i s t o b e
p a r t of a c om mu n it y
t h a t I a m pr ou d of,
a nd t o b e a ble t o k now
t h a t w he n I c a l l my s e l f
a “L ion”, I ’m p a r t
of s ome t h i n g bi g g e r
t h a n my s e l f .” B r id g e t
Mu r phy ’18
ART RICH PHOTOGRAPHY
ART RICH PHOTOGRAPHY
What Does It Mean To Be a Lion?
Maggie Bello ’18, Janadel
Francis ’16, and Christal Riley
’16 lift Vaniah Delancy ’16
On October 29, 2015, it was announced to the Northwest Catholic community that NWC would no longer be associated with the “Indians” as the school’s mascot. The
Lion epitomizes everything Northwest Catholic tries to embody as a school and community. Northwest Catholic will be known officially as the NWC Lions. Above are
some of the prototype designs shown during the reveal, provided by Paul Shapiro, CEO Vie Consulting. Follow @humans_of_nwc on Instagram for a feature on the winner
of the student design contest coming soon!
iPad iNvasion
NWC Invests Juniors
By Avery Hatch ’16
Faith pg 6
Pope Francis visits America
Seniors pg 4
Senior Halloween
“Best Costume” winners
O
n October 20, the members of the Class of 2017
were recognized as upperclassmen during the Junior
Investiture ceremony. The event
is a longtime Northwest Catholic tradition associated with feelings of community and support.
The entire school gathered for a Mass led by Rev. David
Dawson, the chaplain at NWC.
Following the Mass, each junior
was called by name to the stage
to receive a cross that had been
blessed during the Mass, demonstrating the role of faith in the
Junior Class President
Jenna Creighton ’17 addresses the school
KIMBERLY SPERA
eBook
versions of many
textbooks.
eBooks can
be accessed
through specific
apps
from the publisher, iBooks,
or
Kindle. Rain Yuan ’17 and Ian D’Arcangelo ’16 use their
Though some
iPads during art class
books
are
available for
tions for the students because they
free, parents and students may
have easy access to games and Apps
have noted an increase in the price
that were previously unavailable to
of some higher level eBooks as opthem.” As of November 23, stuposed to regular textbooks. Mr.
dents, parents, and teachers no lonWilliamson explains the reason for
ger have to worry about any possithis difference in pricing: “The eBbility of distraction. A new strategy
ooks are typically more expensive
implemented by the administration
than hard textbooks because eBand technology department reooks come with different, interacmoves non-academic applications
tive features that normal textbooks
from student iPads. With time, and
lack. So in addition to the text in
the diligence of students and teachthe book, students receive interers, it is clear that the iPads have a
active learning techniques, such
lot of benefits to offer the school.
as the Mastering program for sci
It is important that stuence courses.” That said, many
dents and teachers utilize the deeBooks were actually less expensive
vices and maximize their learning
than a new hardcopy textbook.
features. Teachers will continue
Meghan Shea ’19 commaking technological strides while
ments, “It is nice to have a light
discovering new educational asbackpack and not have to carry
pects with the iPads.
heavy textbooks all day. However,
I think the iPads create distracKIMBERLY SPERA
T
his past summer, Northwest Catholic started the
iPad installment process
with ten 2 hour sessions in August.
Mr. Patrick Williamson ’99, the
Technology and Special Projects
Coordinator, states that, “The iPad
deployment was 100% successful.
‘iPad’ is the right tablet technology for Northwest Catholic.” Mr.
Williamson also said that next
year there would not be changes
to the distribution process. However, in order to improve the eBook process, students will already
have their names and e-mails
programmed into the network
system. The iPads’ overall goal is
to ensure that student technology
utilization is effective and working
smoothly so their learning environment is successful. The teachers
hope to find a way to make iPads
more effective than pen and paper. Already this year, Mrs. Kristina Gillespie, Director of Campus
Ministry, has used the Apple TV
in her classes, meaning she is doing presentations by mirroring her
iPad to the screen of the Apple TV.
Another
noticeable
change from the learning process
of the past has been the methods
by which students access textbooks. This year, students bought
KIMBERLY SPERA
By Caroline Gill ’16
Mr. David Eustis and Kevin
Eustis ’17 embrace during Junior Investiture while Deacon
Jeffery Sutherland, Rev. Dawson, Deacon Richard Santos,
and Mrs. Kristina Gillespie
look on
Northwest Catholic community.
Each junior was accompanied
by a senior sponsor, who acts as
a supportive mentor and friend.
The NWC community
is thrilled to welcome the juniors
into their new leadership roles and
hopes that the community will
continue to grow in faith, support,
and unity as a result of the abilities
and gifts present in the junior class.
SPORTS pg 10
Girls’ Soccer clinches Class
M Championship win
Editorial
passages
2
NOVEMBER 2015
L
ast June we began the process of replacing our 28year old roof at a cost of
one million dollars. These types
of capital improvements are critical to the future of the school.
While it is a lot of money, this roof
should last for the next 30 years.
In the past three years,
we have made significant improvements to the plant & facility. New
windows and doors, a conversion
from oil heat to natural gas, replaced all of the exterior lighting,
reconfigured and redesigned three
hallways, and the addition of video
cameras. These are all very important pieces of positioning the school
for success in the future. What
remains is addressing the athletic
fields and the potential for synthetic turf. Quite a costly project, but
needed in these competitive times.
The next big project is the
replacement of the seats in the Rice
Auditorium. This project will begin over the Christmas break and
will run through mid-February.
After 55 years I think you would
all agree that the seats have been
beat up and its time for new ones!
Over the next 3-5 years
we hope to address the science
labs, continue to remove any asbestos in the building, modernize hallways, decide the future
of the convent, find a place to
build some tennis courts, and
increase our parking capacity.
“Our building will always continue to evolve and
remain competitive in our
marketplace. We have a very
special place here at NWC
and we need to keep it refreshed for future generations.”
-President David Eustis
KIMBERLY SPERA
Letter from the Chief Administrator
Ms. Keating-McKeon receives the Dr. Michael S. Griffin Teaching Chair Award at the
Founder’s Circle Dinner alongside Mrs. Margaret Williamson, Dr. Michael Griffin,
and Mr. David Eustis
Discipulus Viridis
By Emma Schumaker ’19
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief
Avery Hatch
Executive Board
Abigail Herron
Julia Christolini
Megan Grandell
Emily Grandell
Molly Mullen
Staff Writers & Editors
Caroline Banevicius
Sarah Neubert
Rachael Ogbonna
Taryn Nguyen
Caroline Gill
Elizabeth O’Neil
Alex Kanya
Vida Benejan
Erin Tully
Emma Schumaker
Staff Photographers
Brigid Gauthier
Regina Chappano
Erin Tully
Advisor
Miss Kate Morran
Special Thanks to:
Ms. Kimberly Spera
Linda Errico
Northwest Passages
Northwest Catholic
High School
29 Wampanoag Drive
West Hartford, CT 06117
Phone: (860)236-4221
Fax: (860) 586-0911
“Di s c ipu lu s V i r id i s ” i s t he br a i nc h i ld of f r e s h m a n E m m a S c hu m a k e r. T he t it le t r a n s l a t e s f r om L a t i n t o
“ T he G r e e n S t u d e nt ”. He r e “ T he G r e e n” r e pr e s e nt s t he s pi r it a nd s e n s e of c om mu n it y i nvol ve d i n b e i n g a
f r e s h m a n e nt e r i n g N WC .
Northwest Passages benefits
directly from the William J.
Klein ‘65 Fund, established by
Cathleen Collins ‘65.
*Editor’s Note: Opinions
expressed
in Northwest Passages are not
necessarily those of the
editorial staff.
passages
editorial
NOVEMBER 2015
3
OpEd
P
rior to senior year, the “submit” button was a mere formality. It followed terms
and conditions I neglected to read
and it required me to make sure I
wanted to spend a month’s worth
of pay from my minimum wage
job on online shopping. But as seniors, the red submit button which
follows the Common App holds a
completely new significance. We
spend months deliberating over
every comma, every word, every
aspect of our applications, trying
to accurately profess our love for
universities while also summing
up our lives and personalities in
six short sections and an essay –
easy, right? Then we hit the infamous button and our fate is in the
hands of the admissions officers.
While completing this
difficult task, I think we seniors
tend to lose perspective. I have
watched in envy as my two siblings
have traversed the college process
and made it out to the other side.
Though their processes were vastly
different, I noticed one commonality between the two: various adults
constantly told them that this was
one of the most important decisions of their lives. I take issue with
this claim of “most important”.
There is no way, at the young age of
seventeen, to know what decisions
will indefinitely shape us into the
people we are meant to become.
I do not intend to say that
the college decision is one to be
taken lightly, but I do believe the
excessive pressure put on seniors to
attend top universities obscures the
process. A recent study by GallupPurdue University that measured
the college experiences and the lives
of college graduates found that the
selectivity of a college a student
attended mattered less than what
they did on campus. Further studies by economists found that elite
college attendance did not give
students a boost in future earnings.
I believe the most important part of college decisions is in
finding a school that’s a good fit.
This means finding a school where I
as an individual will thrive; a school
where I will be able to make personal connections with my professors as well as have opportunities to
get involved outside the classroom.
This attitude is especially important in the extremely
competitive realm of admissions
we face today. Psychologist Barry
Schwartz entertained the possibility that it may be better for uni-
JULIA CHRISTOLINI ’16
By Caroline Banevicius ’16
versities “to
switch to a
pure lottery Caroline Banevicius ’16 points to a sign in the NWC Guidance Office that reads
“College Application Information Class of 2016”
system”. He
remarks on
of you will be admitted to a col- down to do applications with this
how there is not much to be taken
lege. Being accepted into your last new perspective in mind, a weight
as personal in a rejection, as there
choice school is your worst case was lifted off me, and I realized
are just too many other qualified
scenario, but in reality, you could that it does not matter so greatly
applicants. For example, for evargue that being accepted into a where I attend college, but rather,
ery bed in the freshman dorms at
college is your worst case scenario. what I will do there will make all
Yale, there are twenty kids lining
Think about that. Your worst case the difference. With that perspecup, vying for the very same spot.
scenario may come true and you tive, the process seems a little less
I find solace in what an
will still be in college.” At the time, intimidating, and more like a
admissions officer told me during
I felt she had deceived us. Where search for personal growth.
an information session. She said,
was the secret? I felt as if she made
“In April, for the most part, all
it all sound so easy. But as I sat
Arts and Culture
KIMBERLY SPERA
KIMBERLY SPERA
KIMBERLY SPERA
Northwest Catholic Dramateurs Present Anne of Green Gables
Anthony Lenczewski ’16 and Jacquelyn Collas ’16, as Matthew
and Marilla Cuthbert, two siblings who adopt the orphan Anne
Shirley, thinking they are adopting a boy. The story of Anne’s
arrival at their beautiful house, called Green Gables, is one that
is both heartwarming, humorous, and instantly loveable, just like
Anne Shirley herself.
Jacquelyn Collas ’16 and Julia Christolini ’16, enjoyed being a
part of Anne’s constant chatter and antics. It is clear by the end
of the show that Anne has won a place in every character’s heart,
as well as the hearts of every audience member. The show was
presented from November 13 through November 15 in the Alice
C. Mortensen Theater.
Up Next for the Dramateurs...
Initial auditions for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be held on Tuesday, December 8th, Thursday,
December 10th, and Monday, December 14th. Callbacks and dance auditions will be held on Tuesday, January 5th,
2016. Sign up today using this QR Code!
Anderson Murphy ’17 and Lauren Mangine ’16, Diana Barry
and Anne Shirley, were the idealistic best friends in the show,
vowing to always remember
their childhood experiences
together. Anne of Green Gables
proved to be a simple story full
of love and happiness that left
everyone with a smile.
passages
4
NOVEMBER 2015
Seniors
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
Seniors Show Spirit for Halloween
R ob e r t R i s p ol i ’16 a nd Jon a t h a n G r a n a t a ’16 m a d e t he p e r f e c t M ar io a nd L u i g i
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
A l ic i a Mor a n ’16 , E m m a B a r ne s ’16 , Je s s ic a E s k a nd e r ’16 , a nd K a t h le e n Yor io ’16 u nd e r c ove r a s t he
I nc r e d ible s
Ja c k C a r e w ’16 , A bb e y Fit z s i m mon s ’16 , C a r ol i ne B a ne v ic iu s ’16 ,
L a u r e n K old r a s ’16 , E r i n Fe e ne y ’16 , E m i l y G le i x ne r ’16 , E l ia n a Ok ’16 , a nd A t he n a Fiol a ’16 a s “ S now W h it e a nd t he S e ve n
Dwa rfs”
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
D a r iu s Cy g le r ’16 a nd Je f f r e y A u g u s t ow s k i ’16 a r e
r e a d y t o t a k e on t he D e c e pt ic on s
A n n a m m a C h a lup a r a mbi l ’16 , S h a n non Mc M a hon
’16 , C ol le e n Mc A n a ne y ’16 , a nd Ja c qu e l y n C ol l a s
’16 s how of f t he i r c o s t u me s
K a it l i n Mc G u i r e ’16 , L a u r e n It a l i a ’16 , A bi g a i l He r r on ’16 , G r a c e
V i nc e n s ’16 , A n n ie O ’ Me a r a ’16 , Mol l y Mu l le n ’16 , S a r a h Ne u b e r t
’16 , a nd C a r ol i ne G i l l ’16 w on “B e s t C o s t u me ” a s “ S h a rk We e k ”
passages
FEATURES
NOVEMBER 2015
Inside Out:
5
Sarah Neubert ’16, Lawrence Liu ’16 , and Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick
PF: Cheap people
LL: Smell. Just because
LL: College applications
What would your first action
of President of the United
States be?
SN: Resign
LL: Sorry, I’m Chinese
How many days would you
last in solitary confinement?
How would you do it?
SN: One, I would use it to
catch up on sleep
PF: I think I could go on
indefinitely as long as I had a
really long book to read like
“Moby Dick” or the Bible
LL: 0 days, even if I had my
phone
If you could be anyone else
at NWC who would you be?
SN: Señora Barrett
PF: It would be fun to be
any one of the very talented
athletes we have among our
students as I was never much
of an athlete and it would be
unique for me to experience
what it was like to excel at a
sport.
LL: Mrs. Gillespie
What words of wisdom do
you live by?
SN: “We have to remember
what’s important in life:
friends, waffles, and work,”
-Leslie Knope
LL: Eat the whole cake
As a kid, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
SN: A teacher
PF: At alternate times I
wanted to be an airline pilot,
lawyer, judge, politician,
priest, and teacher. In a way
I am still trying to figure out
what I want to be when I
grow up.
LL: A grownup
What annoys you the most?
SN: Suspenseful movies, I like
If the whole world was
listening, what would you
say?
SN: Look how cute my dog is
PF: Is this mic on?
LL: Listen to me
If you could ask God one
question, what would it be?
SN: When is the world
going to end and how will it
happen?
PF: I would have to decide
between “Who really killed
President Kennedy” and
“Why did you let that ball go
through Bill Buckner’s legs in
the ‘86 World Series?
LL: Do dogs go to heaven?
If you could hear what
someone is thinking for a
day, who would you choose,
and why?
SN: People who claim they
have seen Ghosts because I
would like to know whether
they have actually seen
them or are just making it
up.
SN: Shakira because her hips
don’t lie and she has done a
lot of great charity work to
provide kids in third world
countries with education
PF: My parents because they
have always provided me
with unconditional love and
acceptance.
LL: Superheros because they
are called heroes
PF: “Trial and Error”
PF: Well I really like to eat so
taste stays. Smell is related
to taste so that one stays
as well. It would be really
difficult driving to school each
day without sight so that has
to stay. I need to hear my
students’ questions so I will
“I was born in Chicago”
Who is your hero, and why?
PF:A Moe’s Homewrecker
with steak; all day everyday!
SN: Taste because most of the
taste we experience when
we eat something is actually
based on smell
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
LL: My parents because I
want to know what they think
about me
What would be the title of
your autobiography?
If you had to choose to give
up one of your five senses,
which would you choose and
why?
Sarah Neubert ’16
PF: Bill Belichick. He is like
an iceberg in that only a very
small fraction of him is above the surface.
If you could have only one
food for the rest of your life
(assuming that this strange
situation would not affect
your health), which food
would you choose?
LL: Mint chocolate chip ice
cream with Kit Kats from Cold
Stone
JULIA CHRISTOLINI ’16
PF: I can’t say all of it but it
starts out, “A guy walks into a
bar…..”
keep my hearing. Goodbye
touch!
JULIA CHRISTOLINI ’16
SN: Two tomatoes are walking
down a road and one is
lagging behind the other. The
first is frustrated so he turns
around and smashes the
other one and says, “CATCHUP”
to know how they end ahead
of time
Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick, Social Studies Department Chair
SN: How to survive life with
the nickname “Neub”: a true
story
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“Many things, including: I was on the swim team in high
school, and I spent the year between undergrad and graduate
school in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps”
What random fact are you
most proud to know?
SN: In a deck of playing cards
the king of hearts is the only
king without a mustache
PF: A summary of all of the
plotlines for each episode of
the original “Star Trek”
What is the first thing you
do in the morning?
SN: Look at the clock to see
how late I will be
JULIA CHRISTOLINI ’16
What’s your favorite joke?
Lawrence Liu ’16
PF: Turn on the Keurig
LL: Open my eyes
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I speak Chinese”
passages
6
NOVEMBER 2015
Faith
Archbishop Blair Visits Northwest Catholic Seniors
By Annamma Chaluparambil ’16
KIMBERLY SPERA
S t u d e n t s s at in an t ic ipat io n as is s u e s t hat hav e
s t o l e n n at io n al at t e n t io n o v e r t he pas t f e w
d e c ad e s w e r e b r o u g ht b e f o r e t he A r c hb is ho p,
in c l u d in g t he C hu r c h’ s v ie w o n ho mo s e x u alit y an d e c o n o mic in e q u al it y . A r c hb is ho p Bl air
w as b o t h k in d in his appr o ac h t o w ar d s t he s e
q u e s t io n s an d in c r e d ib l y in s ig ht f u l in his r es po n s e s . His e x t e n s iv e k n o w l e d g e o n S c r ipt u r e as w e l l as C at ho l ic d o c t r in e impr e s s e d
man y , in c l u d in g my s e l f , w ho had n e v e r had
t he o ppo r t u n it y t o e x pe r ie n c e his pr e s e n c e
f ir s t han d pr io r t o t his o c c as io n . A l l q u e s t io n s w e r e an s w e r e d w it h c l ar it y , an d t he
s t u d e n t s w e r e in t r o d u c e d t o n e w id e as t hat
w e r e b o t h j u d ic io u s an d t ho u g ht pr o v o k in g .
A f t e r an in t e n s e Q& A s e s s io n ,
s t u d e n t s pr o c e e d e d o v e r t o t he S t os u y G y m, w he r e t he y w e r e t r e at e d
t o an appe t iz in g l u n c h an d pr o v id e d t ime t o d is c u s s t he s pe c ial
e x pe r ie n c e w it h t he ir pe e r s . S o me
e v e n appr o ac he d t he A r c hb is ho p
f o r f u r t he r d is c u s s io n o n t he t o pic s b r o u g ht f o r t h d u r in g t he me e t in g in o r d e r t o g ain a d e e pe r u nd e r s t an d in g o f t he C hu r c h’ s v ie wpo in t s . I t w as t r u l y hu mb l in g t o
s e e a man o f s u c h hig h au t ho r it y
c o n v e r s in g w it h t he me mb e r s o f
o u r S e n io r c l as s in s u c h a w ay t hat
s ho w e d r e s pe c t f o r t he o pin io n s o f
T he S e n ior c l a s s w a s i nv it e d t o a s k t he A r c hbi s hop t he s t u d e n t s , r e g ar d l e s s o f w he t h e r t he y c o n f l ic t e d w it h t hat o f t he
a ny qu e s t ion s t he y m a y h a ve
KIMBERLY SPERA
A
no i sy M o rte n se n Th e a t e r wa s ov e r c ome
wi th silence on F r i da y , O c t ob e r 2 3 r d
as Archbishop L e on a rd B la i r m a de h is
w a y thro ugh the doub le door s a n d down t o w a rd s the em pty s t a g e , wh e r e h e would st an d
for the next ho ur a n swe r i n g som e of t h e m o s t
cha l l engi ng ques tion s sur r oun di n g t h e C a t h ol ic fa ith. After a br i e f i n t r oduc t i on , h e t ur n e d
his u ndi vided atte n t i on ov e r t o t h e S e n i o r s ,
ma ny o f who m eag e r ly wa i t e d t o h e a r h i s insig ht o n thei r vari ous f a i t h i n qui r i e s. F r o m
q u estio ns regardin g c olle g e di sc e r n m e n t t o
those engulfi ng t h e m ost c on t r ov e r si a l is su es faci ng o ur na t i on t oda y , a wi de v a r i e t y
of topi cs wa s discusse d dur i n g t h e m e e t i n g .
A r c hbi s hop L e on a r d P. B l a i r i s w e lc ome d
by M r. D a v id E u s t i s a nd R ob e r t R i s p ol i
’16
Chu rch. H e di d no t s eek t o i mp o s e hi s bel i ef s o n t ho s e a ro u nd hi m, bu t i ns t ea d s o u ght
t o gu i de s t u dent s o n t hei r s p i ri t u a l jo u rneys .
Al t ho u gh t hei r t i me w i t h t he Archbi s ho p w a s bri ef , t he S eni o rs w ere a bl e t o a cq u i re
a w ea l t h o f kno w l edge w hi ch t hey w i l l s u rel y
be a bl e t o u t i l i z e o v er t he u p co mi ng yea rs a s
t hey p rep a re t o l ea v e behi nd t hei r a do l es cence
a nd t ra ns i t i o n i nt o a du l t ho o d. T he s t a f f a nd
s t u dent s here a t No rt hw es t Ca t ho l i c w ere i ncredi bl y ho no red by hi s v i s i t a nd ho p e t ha t
t he ma rk he l ef t o n t he s cho o l w i l l co nt i nu e t o
ha v e a p o s i t i v e i mp a ct o n f u t u re g ener at ion s .
Pope Francis Visits America: In the Eyes of Mrs. Williamson
By Megan Grandell ’16
KIMBERLY SPERA
M e m or i a l a n d Mu s e u m,
Wor ld Tr a de Ce n t e r , t aki n g t h e t i m e t o me e t w it h
f a m i li e s of t h e v ic t ims o f
t h e h i st or i c t r ag e d y . He
f i n i sh e d h i s t i me in N e w
Y or k wi t h a Papal mo t o rc a de t h r oug h Ce n t r al P ar k
a n d a M a ss h e l d in Mad ison Squa r e Ga r d e n . His f in a l de st i n a t i on in A me r ic a
wa s P h i la de lphia, a c it y
kn own f or i t s pr o min e n t
C a t h oli c p op u l at io n . He
st a r t e d h i s t i m e t he r e w it h
a M a ss h e ld i n C at he d r al
B a si li c a of S ain t s P e t e r
a n d P a ul. In Phil ad e l phia,
t h e P op e f oc u s e d mo s t
of h i s t i m e on t he W o r l d
M e e t i n g of F amil ie s . T his
i s t h e wor ld’ s l ar g e s t C at holi c g a t h e r i n g o f f amil ie s
a n d i s h e ld e v e r y t hr e e
M a ny c l a s s e s v i s it e d t he R ic e A u d it or iu m t o
w a t c h a l i ve s t r e a m of t he Pop e ’s a d d r e s s t o
C on g r e s s on S e pt e mb e r 2 4
y e ar s . I​ t w as in P hil l y t hat
N o r t hw e s t
C at ho l ic ’ s
pr in c ipal , Mr s . W il l iams o n , w as ab l e t o w o r s hip
w it h, an d l e ar n f r o m
t he P o pe . W he n as k e d
t o s har e he r e x pe r ie n c e ,
Mr s . W il l iams o n s aid ,
“W e had b e e n pr e parin g o u r t r ip f o r mo n t hs ,
s o w he n w e f in al l y g o t
in t o P hil ad e l phia w e
w e r e v e r y e x c it e d . T he
t r ip w as v e r y pe r s o n al
in t he s e n s e t hat P hil l y
is a s mal l c it y , s o it
pr e t t y mu c h c l o s e d d o w n
f o r P o pe F r an c is ’ s v is it . I t
d e f in it e l y f e l t l ik e he w as
he r e t o s e e u s , w hic h w as
w o n d e r f u l . T he d ay o f t he
Mas s , w e r e al iz e d w e ac t u al l y had g r e at t ic k e t s . W e
w e r e amo n g t he 8 0 , 0 0 0
pe o pl e in t he s e c t io n c l o s e
t o t he al t ar . T his w as ac t ual l y a g o o d s po t c o mpar e d
t o t he amo u n t o f pe o pl e
t hat w e r e t he r e . On e t hin g
t hat w as r e al l y n ic e w as
t hat w e w e r e v e r y c l o s e t o
t he s id e w al k , s o w e c o u l d
s e e him w he n he r o d e b y
in t he P o pe mo b il e . T hat
w as a v e r y s pe c ial mome n t ; it ’ s s o s u r r e al w he n
he w av e s in y o u r d ir e c t io n
o r l o o k s y o u r w ay . On e o f
my f av o r it e mo me n t s o f
t he d ay is t hat at t he e n d
o f t he Mas s , he as k e d u s t o
pr ay f o r him, r e min d in g
MRS. WILLIAMSON
O
n Septemb e r 2 2 ,
2015 Po p e F r a n c i s
arri ved i n Wa shington D.C and t ook h i s
fir st s teps o n Am e r i c a n
soil. This began a f i v e da y
trip aro und the U n i t e d
Sta tes, full o f b le ssi n g s,
pr a y e rs , and lo ve. O v e r t h e
next two days, t h e P op e
explo red Washi ngt on D . C ,
a nd even m ade a s p e e c h t o
C ongres s abo ut th e c ommon go o d in A m e r i c a ,
a nd in the wo rld. Af t e r
meeting with the p e op le
in Washi ngto n, th e P op e
hea d e d to hi s ne x t st op :
N ew Yo rk . In N e w Yor k,
the P ope m ade a sp e e c h a t
the United N ation s, c a ll ing for peace in th e wor ld.
He then held a m u lt i -r e lig iou s servi ce at t h e 9 /1 1
M r s . W i l l i a m s on w a s c lo s e e nou g h t o t a k e t h i s
phot o w he n s he s a w t he Pop e a r r i ve i n Ph i l l y on
S e pt e me b e r 2 6
u s n o t t o f o rget . O v era l l ,
it w as an a ma z i ng s erv i ce
an d a d a y I w i l l nev er f o rg e t ! ” S​ omet hi ng el s e t ha t
mad e t hi s Pa p a l v i s i t v ery
s pe c ial w a s t he a t t ent i o n
t hat it recei v ed f ro m t he
w o r l d . Mrs . Wi l l i a ms o n
t hin k s t hi s i s du e t o t he
f ac t t hat , “ Po p e Fra nci s i s
a pe o pl e’ s Po p e. O ne o f hi s
main g oa l s i s t o co nnect
t he C hurch mo re w i t h t he
pe o pl e . H e i s l i s t eni ng t o
w hat t h ey a re s a yi ng. Du r in g his vi s i t , he w o u l d t a ke
t he t ime a nd s t o p t o bl es s
a c hil d o r s a y a p ra yer. H e
l o v e s ev eryo ne.” Seni o r,
E r in T u l l y ’ 16 ha s a di ff e r e n t o p i ni o n t ha t t he a tt e n t io n dra w s f ro m, “ Po p e
F r an c is do i ng grea t t hi ngs
t o bri ng t he Ca t ho l i c f a i t h
i nt o mo dern t i mes . I t i s
ref res hi ng t o p eo p l e everyw here.” ​​
So w ha t ca n
Ameri ca l ea rn f ro m t hi s
hi s t o ri ca l v i s i t by Po p e
Fra nci s ? Mrs . G i l l es p i e
bel i ev es t ha t , “ H i s v i s i t
ma de ev i dent t he s p i ri t u a l
s t a rv a t i o n o f ma ny America ns no w . H e remi nds u s
o f t he G o d-s ha p ed ho l e i n
t he hea rt o f ev ery p ers o n,
a nd he p o i nt s t o J es u s .
H e p o i nt ed o u t t he grea t
t hi ngs a bo u t t he U ni t ed
St a t es - o u r f reedo m, o u r
di v ers i t y, o u r hi s t o ry. H e
cha l l enged u s t o s eek t he
T ru t h i n l i v i ng t he f reedo ms w e enjo y.”
passages
Seniors
“This Is My Story”
NOVEMBER 2015
7
By Rachael Ogbonna ’16
we r e t e st e d on o u r c o o pe r a t i on ski llsa n d pat ie n c e .
Ea c h t i m e a ny o f u s me s s e d
up , we a ll g o t f r u s t r at e d
wi t h on e a n ot he r . A t t ime s
m a n y of us wo u l d s il e n t l y
m ur m ur op p r ob r io u s c o mm e n t s t o our se l v e s d u e t o
i n t e n se f r ust r at io n . Ho w e v e r , we h a d t o k e e p pu s hi n g our se lv e s t o ac hie v e
t h e t a sk of g e t t in g t o t he
ot h e r si de . Upo n f in al l y
a c c om p li sh i n g t he t as k , w e
we r e a ll r e li e ve d an d j o yf ul. F r om t h a t mo me n t o f
j ub i la t i on , we r e al iz e d t hat
we a c c om p li she d o u r g o al
t og e t h e r . We l e ar n e d t hat
i n li f e , we do n o t n e e d t o
wa lk a lon e . We s ho u l d c o a le sc e t og e t h e r t o ac hie v e
som e c om m on g o al . J u s t
a s we sh ould c o al e s c e w it h
God, t o a c h i e v e e v e r l as t in g
p e a c e , j oy , a n d happin e s s .
P e r son al l y , t he b igg e st c h a lle n g e f o r me w as
t h e r op e c our se . I am t e rr i f i e d of h e i g ht s . W it h e ve r y st e p I t ook , I s c r e ame d
wi ldly . H owe v e r , my g r o u p
wa s e n c our a g i n g me e v e r y
st e p of t h e wa y . I e v e n t u a lly st a r t e d t o e n j o y t he
s mal l c o mmu n it y . W e al l
c ame f o r t he pu r po s e o f
f in d in g o u r s e l v e s an d G o d .
T hr o u g h is o l at io n , t he
A C T S me mb e r s g o t c l o s e r .
W e b o n d e d an d r e c o n c il e d
w it h o n e an o t he r , an d w e
l e ar n e d t hat w e c an t r u s t
e ac h o t he r w it h an y t hin g .
T he f r e s hma n r et r e at s w e r e an o t he r c han gin g e x pe r ie n c e . T he f r e s h me n l o o k e d u p t o u s as
l e ad e r s . W e s har e d G o d ’ s
l o v e w it h t he m in a n e w
w ay . W e al l s har e d o u r s t or ie s o f s t r u g g l e s in o u r d ai l y l iv e s . E ac h o f u s s har e d
o u r s t o r ie s o f f ail u r e s an d
t r iu mphs . Man y o f u s w e r e
s u r pr is e d t o he ar hid d e n
s t r u g g l e s o f an x ie t y , d e pr e s s io n , an d s o c ial aw kw ar d n e s s w hic h s o me o f
t he me mb e r s he l d t ig ht l y .
Ho w e v e r ,
t hr o u g h
our
s t o r ie s w as a s he e r l ig ht
o f ho pe . W e s har e d t he
ho pe an d r e d e mpt io n t hat
o n e c o u l d g ain if he g iv e s
G o d a c han c e . W e c r ie d ,
l au g he d , an d b o n d e d w it h
o u r f r e s hme n ; an d w e al l
w al k e d o u t w it h a c e n t r al
me s s ag e . F ir s t l y , n o o n e
is
al one
o n t he i r
w al k
of
l if e . E very
one
o f u s ha s
a b at tl e,
e i t h e r
m i n o r
or
ma jor, that
we
a re
al l g o i ng
through.
Secondly,
we
ar e t r ul y
l o v e d ,
not just
by
o ne
a n o t h er
bu t
by
God
as
well.
T he AC T S c l a s s p a r t ic ip a t i n g i n a t e a m
T
h
e
bu i ld i n g a c t i v it y du r i n g t he i r c a mpi n g
A C T S
t r ip
c l as s h a s
t a u g h t
l i ke ma ny o t her members
me a c ou p l e t hi ngs a bo u t o f t he cl a s s . I ho p e a s t he
my s e l f . Fi rs t l y t ha t I a m yea r go es on I co nt i nu e t o
a r e ac t i v e p ers o n, I o v er - gro w a l o ngs i de my p eers
t hin k e veryt hi ng, a nd I a m o n t hi s w a l k o f f a i t h.
n o t pe rf ect . I l ea rned t ha t
I hav e deep w o u nds ju s t
BRIGID GAUTHIER ’16
B
efo re I j o in e d t h e
ACTS clas s I wa s a
di fferent pe r son . I
w a s som eo ne who le t sm a ll
things co ntro l m e . I wa s
someone who ref use d t o
bel iev e i n the i m p ossi b le .
I fel t defeated in my da i ly
ba ttl es whether it wa s m y
self-image, s elf-wor t h , or
intell i gence. H o we v e r , m y
fa ith to o k a turn dur i n g
the ACTS cam p i n g t r i p .
I n my head, the las t t h i n g I
w a nted to do was d r i v e i n t o
a n enviro nm ent wi t h out
pow ered ho us es or sh owers for three days. Wh e n I
g ot there i t was far di f f e rent fro m what I e x p e c t e d.
E a ch day, we encoun t e r e d
a new challenge. W h e n we
over cam e o ur cha lle n g e s,
w e were j ubilant. Wh e n we
fa iled, we were p e r si st e n t .
For i nstance, the i n t e n se
w ir e co urse we em b a r ke d
on. I n this p articula r obsta cle, m y partners a n d I
ha d to walk and b a la n c e
on wires in o rder t o g e t t o
the ot her s i de. Eac h t i m e
w e fell o ff the wi re , we h a d
to ke ep tryi ng. We we r e
not a llo wed to gi ve up . We
A HILL-Y Camping Trip
By Taryn Nguyen ’16
i n g t h e low r o pe s c o u r s e .
Th e f i r st t h r e e c o u r s e s w e r e
c a lle d Wh a le W at c h, W il d
Wooz y , a n d Mu l t i- V in e .
All t h r e e ob st ac l e s t e s t e d
t h e c la ss’ s un i f ie d c o mmu n i c a t i on a n d par t n e r s hip.
H owe v e r , t h e mo s t impo rt a n t c our se t h at w e s t r u gg le d wi t h wa s e n t it l e d t he
M oh a wk Wa lk . T he Mo h a wk Wa lk r e q u ir e d t he
e n t i r e c la ss t o w al k ac r o s s
t h i n st r i p s of w ir e w it ho u t
f a lli n g . We w e r e al l e x p e c t e d t o ke e p in phy s ic al
c on t a c t wi t h e a c h o t he r o r
we would h a v e t o s t ar t t he
e n t i r e c our se f r o m t he b e g i n n i n g . Th i s e v e n t t o o k
a p p r ox i m a t e ly t w o an d a
h a lf h our s t o c o mpl e t e . W e
g r e w f r ust r a t e d an d t ir e d
of t h e c our se , b u t o u r agg r a v a t i on n e v e r l e d u s t o
i m p a t i e n c e . In s t e ad , w e r e m a i n e d c a lm a n d c o l l e c t e d ,
wi lli n g t o work w it h o n e
a n ot h e r a s on e u n it . D esp i t e t h e f r ust rat io n it may
h a v e st i r r e d a mo n g u s , t he
M oh a wk Wa lk d e f in it e l y
a llowe d m y p e e r s an d me
t o g r ow c lose r w it h o n e anot h e r . Th e da y ’ s ac t iv it ie s
e n de d wi t h t h e T r u s t F al l .
Ea c h p e r son st e ppe d o n t o a
p la n k a n d p ut t he ir f ait h in
t h e r e st of t h e ir c l as s mat e s
a s t h e y f e ll b ac k w ar d s
wi t h out h e si t at io n . I t w as
me an in g f u l t o o b s e r v e
ho w c o n n e c t e d w e al l
w e r e t hr o u g h t his ac t iv it y . T his ac t iv it y , al o n g
w it h t he r e s t o f t he l o w
r o pe s c o u r s e s , al l o w e d
t he s ix t e e n o f u s t o
e n d T u e s d ay as f r ie n d s
r at he r t han s t r an g e r s .
W e d n e s d ay
inv o l v e d a he f t y amo u n t
o f phy s ic al e n d u r an c e .
I n t he mo r n in g , me m b e r s o f t he c l as s par tn e r e d u p an d w e r e r e q u ir e d t o c an o e f o u r
mil e s d o w n T w in Lak e s .
T his ac t iv it y in v o l v e d a
l o t o f t e amw o r k , b u t t he
v ie w s w e g ain e d f r o m it
w e r e w o r t h t he s t r e n u o u s
ar m- w o r k . A s my c l as s mat e , A n a Man g in i ’ 1 6 ,
an d I c an o e d d o w n t he
r iver, w e w e r e t ak e n ab ac k
b y t he b e au t y w e o b s e r v e d .
A f t e r c an o e in g , t he e n t ir e
c l as s hik e d s ix mil e s o f t he
A ppal ac hian T r ail . T his
ac t iv it y t o o k f o u r l o n g
an d s w e at y ho u r s . D e s pit e t he e x t e n d e d amo u n t
o f t ime w e s pe n t o n t he
t r ail , w e w e r e ab l e t o ap pr e c iat e t he b r e at ht ak in g s c e n e r y ar o u n d u s .
T hu r s d ay , t he l as t
d ay o f t he t r ip, c ame w it h
an ab u n d an c e o f f e ar .
On t his d ay , w e w e r e t o
c o n q u e r t he hig h r o pe s
ERIN TULLY ’16
U
p o n m y acc e p t a n c e
to the p re st i g i ous
H .I.L.L. cla ss, t h e
fir st event I lo o k e d f orw a rd to was the c a m p i n g
trip that takes p lac e e v e r y
Au g u st. I had heard a g r e a t
d ea l of things ab out t h e
fou r - day adventur e , f r om
pr os l ike the bo nds f or m e d
d u r ing the tri p to c on s li ke
the infam o us o ut h ouse .
O n the fi r st da y ,
T im and Eric Vog e l of
T ekoa M o untai n Out door s
intr oduced the s e ve nte e n
of u s to fi ve “p i lla r s” t h a t
w e wo uld be fo cusi n g on
throu gho ut the co ur se of
the tri p . We were t o i ncor po rate fun, c om m unica tio n,
p artic i p a t i on ,
respect, and co o p e r a t i on
into all o f the activ i t i e s we
w ou ld be do ing. Th e se c on cepts wo uld help us c a r r y
ou t the purpo s e o f t h e t r i p :
to cr e ate a Christi a n c ommu nity o f lo ve. The a c t i v ities that o ccurred ov e r t h e
next f o ur days wo uld f os ter fri endshi p s an d t e a m w or k that wo uld a ssi st us
in thi s task . After t h e Vo g el s fam iliari zed us wi t h
the cam psite, we s p e n t t h e
rest of the fi rst da y se t ting up o ur tents a n d g e t ting to kno w o ne a n ot h e r .
The s eco nd da y of
the tri p was spent c om p le t -
G u id e Ti m Vo g e l, M r. Pa t r ic k W i l l i a m s on ’ 9 9, M r.
W i l l i a m Tr e s s le r, M r. Je f f G u r g a nu s , W i l l Mou s t a k ak i s ’16 , Ti mot hy O ’ Don ne l l ’16 , E m m a B a r ne s ’16 ,
Je s s ic a E s k a nd e r ’16 , Joh n C a r e w ’16 , A n a M a n g i n i
’16 , A bi g a i l He r r on ’16 , S a r a h Ne u b e r t ’16 , A nn a m m a C h a lup a r a mbi l ’16 , Mol l y Mu l le n ’16 , Ju l i a
C h r i s t ol i n i ’16 , C a r ol i ne B a ne v ic iu s ’16 , a nd Ta r y n
Ng u y e n ’16 of t he H I L L c l a s s
c o u r s e . We w ere a l l s kep t ic al ab o ut w a l ki ng a cro s s a
t hin w i re f o rt y f eet o f f o f
t he g r o u nd. Des p i t e t hi s
s har e d wo rry, w e w ere a bl e
t o f ac e o u r f ea r hea d o n
d u e t o t he o v erw hel mi ng
amo u n t o f enco u ra gement
w e o f f e red o ne a no t her.
T he e n d o f t he ro p es co u rs e
s ig n if ie d t he end o f t he
c ampin g t ri p , bu t s i mu l t an e o u s l y s ymbo l i z ed t he
b e g in n ing o f a yea r w i t h
t he n e w f ri ends w e ha d
mad e . Mr. T res s l er ev en
n o t e d h o w w el l w e a l l go t
al o n g w i t h ea ch o t her by
t he e n d o f t he t ri p : “ E v ery
H .I .L.L. cl a s s i s u ni q u e,
bu t I f eel a s i f t hi s yea r’ s
cl a s s
genu i nel y
enjo ys
o ne a no t her’ s p res ence.”
J o hn Ca rew ‘ 16
ent hu s i a s t i ca l l y
ref l ect s
o n t he t ri p a nd ex p res s es ,
“ No t hi ng w i l l ev er be a s
f u n a s t he H .I .L.L. ca mp i ng t ri p . I l o v e ev eryo ne!
We’ re o ne bi g H .I .L.L.
f a mi l y no w .” B y t he end
o f t he ca mp i ng t ri p , a f t er a
ro l l erco a s t er o f a ct i v i t i es ,
t he s e vente en o f u s def i ni t el y beca me a s ma l l f a m i l y.
passages
8
NOVEMBER 2015
NEWS
NWC’s Top Musicians Perform at the Grand Ole Opry
By Elizabeth O’Neil ’19
sic . T h i s w a s her s e c ond
ye a r at Nat ion a l s a nd s he
w a s s e le c te d to b e t he
pr i nc ip a l t r u mp e t pl ayer at t h i s ye a r’s c onc er t .
K e v i n e xc e l s i n
voic e but a l s o h a s b e e n
pl ay i n g pi a no a nd s a xo phone f or 12 a nd 8 ye a r s
re sp e c t ive ly. He s t a r te d
vo c a l mu sic i n 5t h g r a de .
Howe ver, he d id n’t b e c ome s er iou s a b out it
u nt i l m idd le s c ho ol at
He n r y Ja me s i n Si m sbu r y.
K e v i n s ay s , “Ever si nc e
t he n, si n g i n g h a s b e e n a
m ajor p a r t of my mu sic a l
e x p er ie nc e a nd g row t h ”.
K e v i n i s a me mb er of
t he N WC ja z z c hoi r a nd
a l s o t he St C at her i ne
of Sie n a A du lt c hoi r.
Mu sic w i l l a l w ay s
b e a n i n f lue nt i a l p a r t of
S a r a h ’s a nd K e v i n’s l ive s .
S a r a h ’s p a s sion f or mu sic
w i l l c ont i nue , a s s he pl a n s
on double m ajor i n g i n
mu sic p er f or m a nc e a nd e ng i ne er i n g w h i le i n c ol le g e .
K e v i n pl a n s to si n g i n a n
a c a pp e l l a g roup i n c olle g e , a nd w a nt s to m ajor
i n c omp o sit ion, i n a dd it ion to m at h .
“Unified Jazz” Comes to NWC
Students Learn from Veterans
By Alex Kanya ’18
ANDREW SELIG
i n g a g re at t i me , b e c au s e t he y of te nt i me s
don’t h ave a ny b o dy to
pl ay w it h,” a nd Un if ie d Ja z z of f er s t he m
a g roup of s t ude nt s to
e x p er ie nc e mu sic w it h .
T h i s t r u ly s how s t he
s o c i a l re le v a nc e of t h i s
E r i k a Pe t e r s on ’16 , E r i n
c lub ’s i nc lu sive n at u re .
Tu l l y ’16 , Ja c k D u d le y
’18 , W i l l Mou s t a k a k i s ’16 , W hen a s k e d w he t her
he b e l ie ve d t he l ate s t
R e g g ie Pop e ’17, S a mu e l
S p a k ’16 , I a n D ’A r c a n g e lo i nc lu si ve pro g r a m h a d
c h a n g e d t he s t ude nt s’
’16 , D a lt on G r i g g s ’18 ,
K e v i n K e a r n s ’16 , T he r e s a p er sp e c t i ve on t ho s e
D a o ’16 , D y l a n R i s p ol i ’18 w it h sp e c i a l ne e d s , he
re sp onde d , “I b e l ie ve
p o s e w it h s t u d e nt s f r om
Un i f ie d Ja z z h a s a lFAVA R H
re a dy b e g u n to c h a n g e
t he out lo ok of t he N WC
m ajor f a c e t of t he p a r t ner s…Mu sic i a n s k now
m i s sion s t ate ment t h at a n i nde s c r ib a ble b ond
of Nor t hwe s t C at h- e x i s t s b e t we e n t he f r ie nd s
ol ic i s s er v ic e to ot her s , w it h w hom t he y f re que nt ly
a nd m a ny c lub s a nd or- pl ay or si n g. Sh a r i n g t h i s
g a n i z at ion s i n t he s c ho ol b ond… i s a n e x p er ie nc e
were c re ate d e x a c t ly f or t h at Un i f ie d Ja z z’s N WC
t h i s pu r p o s e . One s uc h p a r t ner s a l re a dy e njoy.”
Un i f ie d Ja z z i s , at
g roup, Un i f ie d Ja z z , or- g a n i z e d a nd r u n by K e v i n it s s ou l, a pro g r a m de d iK e a r n s ’16 , i s a n opp or t u- c ate d to g i v i n g sp e c i a l
n it y f or s t udent s w it h sp e - ne e d s s t ude nt s t he opp orc i a l ne e d s to work on a nd t u n it y to f or m f r ie nd s h ip s
p er f or m mu sic a lon g side a w it h s t ude nt s f rom a not her
nu mb er of mu sic s t ude nt s s c ho ol w ho p o s s e s s d i f f erhere at N WC . A c c ord i n g e nt a bi l it ie s t h rou g h a muto L oren D av i s ’19, ‘ T he t u a l p a r t ic ip at ion i n a n a c mu sic i a n s h ave b e e n h av- t i v it y a l l t he me mb er s f e e l
A
Mu s ic i a n s S a r a h Je s s e n ’17 a nd K e v i n K e a r n s ’16
s t a nd w it h M r. D a n ie l L u d d y ’ 03 i n f r ont of t he
G r a nd Ole O pr y i n Na s hv i l le , Te n ne s s e e
By Avery Hatch ’16
p a s sion ate a b out . T here i s
no g re ater joy t h a n s e e i n g
t he lo ok s on t he f a c e s of
t he mu sic i a n s w he n t he y
p a r t ic ip ate i n a n e ve nt
t h at wou ld h ave b e e n i mp o s sible w it hout t he de d ic at ion of e mp at he t ic , a nd
p at ie nt s t ude nt s to d ay.
​
M r. D a n L uddy ’03,
N WC b a nd te a c her, s t ate d
t h at “t he Un i f ie d Ja z z pro g r a m…promote s
le a ders h ip opp or t u n it ie s , te a mwork , a nd c om m it me nt by
w ay of s t udy i n g a nd e njoy i n g mu sic .” T h i s p erf e c t ly s u m s up t he Un i f ie d
Ja z z pro g r a m, a s it t a k e s
s t udent s w it h i nte l le c t u a l d i s a bi l it ie s a nd p a i r s
t he m w it h N WC s t ude nt s
i n a f u n w ay ; i n t h i s c a s e
t he p er f or m a nc e of mu sic .
K e v i n, w ho w a s i n spi re d
by h i s s ophomore s er v ic e
proje c t w it h FAVA R H, a n
or g a n i z at ion de si g ne d to
he lp p e ople w it h sp e c i a l
ne e d s , c on sider s Un i f ie d
Ja z z to b e “a c u l m i n at ion
of [ h i s ] e x p er ie nc e i n music a nd s er v ic e to ot her s .”
N
or t hwe s t C at hol ic H i g h S c ho ol we lc ome d t wo
U. S. veter a n s for a specia l Veter a n s Day a s sembly
on Nove mb er 11, 2 015. C a pt a i n R ob er t L e e d s
’ 73, US N, R e t . a nd A r my C a pt . M at t he w L e c ou r s ’05
a dd re s s e d t he s t udent b o dy a b out t hei r ow n e x p er ienc e s
i n t he m i l it a r y a nd how t h at h a s i n f luenc e d t hei r l i ve s .
C a pt . L e e d s sp ok e a b out t he m i s sion s he f le w .
He h a d mu lt iple s tor ie s to te l l f rom h i s 2 6 -ye a r Nav y
c a re er. H i s e x p er ienc e g ave h i m p er sp e c t i ve on how
t he re s t of t he world l i ve s a nd work s , a s we l l a s how a l l
hu m a n s a re u n ite d u nder t hei r mut u a l l i f e e x p er ienc e s .
C a pt . L e e d s a l s o sp ok e a b out t he s a c r i f ic e s m a de by
t ho s e i n t he m i l it a r y – t i me aw ay f rom f a m i l ie s – a nd
honore d t ho s e he k ne w w ho d ie d i n s er v ic e to t he n at ion, s ay i n g t h at t he y t r u ly m a de t he u lt i m ate s a c r i f ic e .
C a pt . L e c ou r s sp ok e a b out t he re a l it ie s of h i s
de ploy ment to A f g h a n i s t a n a nd t he work he d id – w h at
t he c ond it ion s were l i k e , how s old ier s c e lebr ate d hol id ay s over s e a s , a nd w h at it w a s l i k e work i n g w it h t he
p e ople of A f g h a n i s t a n . H i s pre s ent at ion w a s p o sit i ve
a nd upb e at , g i v i n g a ne w a n g le to m i l it a r y e x p er ienc e ,
de mon s t r at i n g how t here a re a l w ay s h a ppy me mor ie s .
He e mph a si z e d t h at w h i le not e ver yone i s a ble to s er ve
t he i r c ou nt r y i n t he m i l it a r y, e ver yone c a n s t i l l s er ve
t he i r c ou nt r y by s er v i n g a nd he lpi n g e a c h ot her.
KIMBERLY SPERA
St ate , a nd pl aye d a c onc er t at t he C on ne c t ic ut
C onve nt ion C e nter i n M ay
2 015. On ly a f ter m a k i n g
A l l – St ate d id t he y qu a l if y to aud it ion Nat ion a l s .
M r. D a n ie l L uddy
’03, Di re c tor of I n s t r ume nt a l Mu sic a nd Mu sic
T he or y, re m a rk e d , “S a ra h a nd K e v i n h ave a ver y
s t ron g n at u r a l mu sic a l
a bi l it y, a nd a l s o work ver y
h a rd . T he i r a c h ie ve me nt i s
l a r g e ly a pro duc t of t he e ff or t t he y put f or t h, w h ic h
it s e l f i s der i ve d f rom a love
of mu sic . I ’m ver y proud
of t he m b ot h a nd w a s
honore d to at te nd t he f in a l c onc er t i n Na s hv i l le ”.
S a r a h ’s love f or
mu sic i s obv iou s .
She
s t a r te d
pl ay i n g
t r u mp e t i n t h i rd g r a de . She
t r ie d a f e w d i f f ere nt i ns t r u me nt s
but
s e t t le d
on t he t r u mp e t , “mo s t ly
b e c au s e it w a s loud ! ” B e side s Nor t hwe s t C at ho l ic’s honor s br a s s qu i nte t ,
S a r a h pl ay s i n t he Gre ater
H a r t f ord Yout h W i nd E ns e mble a nd t he C on ne c t ic ut Yout h Sy mphony, b ot h
at t he H a r t t S c ho ol of Mu-
KEVIN KEARNS ’16
Q
ue s t ion :
W h at
do
C a r r ie
Under wo o d ,
Br a d
Pa i s le y, S a r a h Je s s e n ’17,
a nd K e v i n K e a r n s ’16
h ave i n c om mon ? A ns wer : T he y a l l p er f or me d
at t he Gr a nd Ole O pr y
i n Na s hv i l le , Te n ne s s e e .
Sarah
( pr i nc ip a l
t r u mp e t) a nd K e v i n ( b a s s
voic e ) p er f or me d at t he
Gr a nd Ole O pr y on O c tob er 2 8t h a s me mb er s
of t he Nat ion a l A s s o c i at ion f or Mu sic E duc at ion’s
A l l-Nat ion a l Honor s E ns e mble s . B ei n g s e le c te d
f or t h i s g roup i s a g re at
honor. L e s s t h a n 0.1% of
s t udent s n at ionw ide w ho
aud it ion f or lo c a l, s t ate
a nd re g ion a l mu sic f e s t iv a l s a re s e le c te d f or Nat ion a l s . L a s t ye a r, S a r a h
a nd K e v i n aud it ione d a nd
were s e le c te d f or t he C onne c t ic ut Mu sic E duc ator s
A s s o c i at ion’s
Nor t her n
R e g ion a l Fe s t i v a l . Si nc e
t he y m a de R e g ion a l s , t he y
were i nv ite d to aud it ion
f or t he C on ne c t ic ut Music E duc ator s A s s o c i at ion’s
A l l- St ate en s e mble s . B ot h
were s e le c te d f or A l l-
C a pt . L e c ou r s , C a pt . L e e d s , M r s . M a rg a r e t W i l l i a m s on , a nd M r. D a v id E u s t i s
passages
Features
NOVEMBER 2015
Eleven Students Honored
Catholic Youth Spectacular Is Truly Great
By Erin Tully ’16
By Sarah Neubert ’16
KIMBERLY SPERA
W i l l i a m s on, Pr i nc ip a l of
Nor t hwe s t , s a id , “ We a re
ver y proud of t he i r a c h ie ve me nt s . T he y a l l br i n g i nte l le c t u a l c u r io sit y to t he
c om mu n it y a nd we w i s h
t he m t he b e s t of luc k i n
t he i r c ol le g e s e a rc h .” D a riu s Cy g ler ’16 a dde d , “It i s
a t re me ndou s honor to b e
re w a rde d f or my a c a de mic a c h ie ve me nt s . It f e e l s
i nc re d ible to b e a me mb er of s uc h a pre s t i g iou s
c om mu n it y.” T he s e e le ve n
s e n ior s a re a l l i nte g r a l p a r t s
of t he Nor t hwe s t C at hol ic
c om mu n it y, a nd proud ly
re pre s e nt t he s t a nd a rd of
h a rd work a nd s uc c e s s t h at
a l l s t ude nt s at Nor t hwe s t
s t r i ve to uphold .
Fr om le f t t o r i g ht : Ti mot hy O ’ Don ne l l ’16 , C a r ol i ne
B a ne v ic iu s ’16 , W i l l Mou s t a k a k i s ’16 , Je s s ic a E s k a nd e r ’16 , D a r iu s Cy g le r ’16 , E m m a B a r ne s ’16 , B r y a n
D e ne e n ’16 , R a c he l S u l l i v a n ’16 , Ja c k C a r e w ’16 ,
S a r a h Ne u b e r t ’16 , a nd K e v i n K e a r n s ’16
W
he n I w a l k e d
onto t he bu s
to t he C at hol ic
Yout h Sp e c t a c u l a r ( C Y S ) ,
I w i l l a d m it I w a s not
ver y t h r i l le d a b out t he
d ay a he a d of me . T h i s w a s
my f i r s t e x p er ie nc e at t he
C Y S or a ny c onve nt ion of
t he l i k e , a nd to my s u rpr i s e , my e x p e c t at ion s
were f a r e xc e e de d by my
e x p er ienc e . My p er sp e c t ive f i r s t b e g a n to c h a n g e
t he s e c ond I s te pp e d out
of t he bu s onto t he b e aut i f u l c ou r t y a rd of St .
T hom a s S e m i n a r y. I w a s
i n s t a nt ly
over w he l me d
by t he s c e ne b e f ore me :
s w a r m s of s t ude nt s f rom
d i f f ere nt
s c ho ol s
a nd
p a r i s he s b e c om i n g a c qu a i nte d , mu sic f i l l i n g
t he a i r, a l a r g e s t a g e s e t
up f or M a s s , a te nt o c c upie d by nu n s w ho h a d
s e t up s t at ion s a b out t he i r
order s . T he d ay of f ic i a l ly
b e g a n w it h a n op e n i n g
pr ayer s er v ic e , i nc ludi n g a s on g a nd re a d i n g s
by
Nor t hwe s t
C at ho l ic s t ude nt s , f ol lowe d by
a sp e e c h f rom k e y note
sp e a k er Glor i a P u r v i s .
Glor i a
discussed
i mp or t a nt i s s ue s i n t he
C at hol ic C hu rc h,
sp e c i f ic a l ly
s u rrou nd i n g
f a mi ly
re l at ion s h ip s
a lon g w it h t he
v a lue a nd re sp e c t
of hu m a n l i f e . A lt hou g h M s . P u rv i s’ opi n ion s d id
not a l w ay s a l i g n
w it h t he one s I, or
t ho s e a rou nd me ,
h a d w a l k e d i nto
t he d ay w it h, my
e x p er ienc e
w it h
A le x a nd r a We nd or f f ’16 a nd
Glor i a P u r v i s w a s
t he mo s t e duc at ion- S a r a h Ne u b e r t ’16 e njoy t he
CYS
a l of t he ent i re d ay.
L ater, a f r iend a nd I
p a nt s to c on ne c t t he le s r a n i nto M r s . P u r v i s
a nd g ot a c h a nc e to d i s - s on s f rom t he Bible to t he
c u s s t he i s s ue s i n more l i f e of t he mo der n te en .
de pt h . T he i n si g ht s s he T he re l i g iou s si s ter s a nd
of f ere d were d i f f erent brot her s s e t up i n t he
f rom a ny t h i n g I h a d e ver tent s were i ntere s t i n g to
he a rd a nd s he e x pre s s e d sp e a k to, a s t he y a l l l i ve
her b e l ie f s i n a k i nd m a n- s uc h d i f f erent l i ve s w it h
ner
w it hout
sp e a k i n g t he s a me a i m of s er v i n g
dow n to u s . I le f t w it h G o d . T he mo s t re m a rka de e p er u nder s t a nd i n g a ble p a r t w a s g e t t i n g to
a nd a ppre c i at ion of t he me e t a nd i nter a c t w it h
topic s s he h a d d i s c u s s e d . ot her C at hol ic s my a g e
I w a s de f i n ite ly w ho a re s t r u g g l i n g w it h
e n r ic he d by t he e vent a s t he s a me i s s ue s . I n a l l, t he
a w hole . A c t iv it ie s t it le d , C at hol ic Yout h Sp e c t a c u“ Ta k e a s e l f ie w it h Je s u s ,” l a r t r u ly w a s sp e c t a c u l a r,
a nd “ W ho a re you # f ol- a s t he b e s t w ay to le a r n i s
low i n g ,” a l lowe d p a r t ic i- t h rou g h f e l low s h ip.
SARAH NEUBERT ’16
T
h i s S e pte mb er e le ven
S en ior s
were
honore d f or t he i r
a c a de m ic a c h ie ve me nt on
t he PS AT/ N M SQT t he y
to ok w hen t he y were jun ior s . C a rol i ne B a ne v ic iu s
’16 , Joh n C a re w ’16 , E m m a
B a r ne s ’16 , D a r iu s Cy g ler
’16 , Br y a n D ene en ’16 , Je s sic a E s k a nder ’16 , K e v i n
K e a r n s ’16 , W i l l Mou s t a k ak i s ’16 , S a r a h Neub er t ’16 ,
Ti mot hy O’D on ne l l ’16 ,
a nd R a c he l Su l l i v a n ’16
were a l l n a me d C om me nde d S c hol a r s by t he C ol le g e
B o a rd . To b e a c om me nde d s c hol a r, t he s c ore s on
t he PS AT/ N M SQT mu s t
b e i n t he top 5 % of a l l 1.5
m i l l ion p e ople t h at to ok
t he e x a m . M r s . M a r g a re t
9
Student Spotlight: Alexandra Wendorff ’16
By Vida Benejan ’17
W hat
is
a
Na t ional
H i s p a n ic
S c hol a r ?
AW: T h at’s a g o o d que s t ion . A Nat ion a l H i sp a nic R e c o g n it ion S c hol a r i s
a H i sp a n ic s t ude nt w ho
s c ore d i n t he top 5, 0 0 0
out of t he 250,0 0 0 s t udent s w ho to ok t he PS AT.
How d id it f e e l t o le a r n you
w e r e a Na t ion a l H i s p a nic R e c o g n it ion S c hol a r ?
AW: It w a s re a l ly e xc it i n g.
I f e lt proud to b e re c ogn i z e d not on ly f or a n a c ade m ic a c h ie ve me nt , but
a c u lt u r a l one a s we l l . It
m a de me f e e l e ve n more
proud to b e H i sp a n ic .
Wa s it y ou r g o a l t o b e c ome a Na t ion a l H i s p a nic R e c o g n it ion S c hol a r ?
AW: Ye s ! I w a s re a l ly e xc ite d w he n I re c e ive d t h i s
aw a rd .
W h a t a d v ic e w ou ld you
g i ve t o a s t u d e nt w ho
a l s o w a nt e d t o b e c ome
a n a c c ompl i s he d s c hola r t h r ou g h t he P S AT ?
AW: Buy a PS AT b o ok a nd
pr a c t ic e a lot f or t he te s t .
But to b e a n Nat ion a l H i s p a n ic S c hol a r you a l s o h ave
to h ave a c er t a i n GPA , s o I
wou ld m a k e s u re to do you r
home work a nd s t udy a lot .
Do y ou f e e l t h a t N WC
he lp e d y ou t o a c c ompl i s h t h i s a c h ie ve me nt ?
AW: Ye s ; I f e e l M r s . Me tz ler w a s a p a r t ic u l a r i nf lue nc e i n he lpi n g me to
re c e i ve t h i s aw a rd . She
i s a de vote d te a c her w ho
he lp s her s t ude nt s a lot
w it h s t a nd a rd i z e d te s t s .
She g i ve s her s t ude nt s
a lot of pr a c t ic e , w h ic h
he lp e d me w it h t he m at h
s e c t ion of t he PS AT.
Do
you
think
this
a c h ie ve me nt h a s he lp e d /
w i l l he lp you w he n a p pl y i n g t o c ol le g e ? I s
t he r e a c ol le g e t h a t you
r e a l l y w a nt t o a t t e nd ?
AW: I t h i n k c ol le g e s t h at
a re c on sider i n g my a ppl ic at ion w i l l s e e a s a re s u lt
of t h i s t h at I a m not on ly
a m i nor it y but I a l s o t a k e
my s t ud ie s ver y s er iou s ly.
M r s . Me t z le r, A le x We nd or f f h a s c it e d you a s
b e i n g a p a r t ic u l a r i n f lue nc e on he r r e c e i v i n g t he
H i s p a n ic Honor s S c hol a r
a w a r d . W h a t c a n you s a y
a b out A le x a s a s t u d e nt ?
M r s . M : A le x i s e x t re me ly
i nte l l i g ent , c on s c ient iou s ,
h a rd-work i n g , a nd mo t iv ate d . She h a s a g re at
de a l of m at he m at ic a l a bi lit y. A s a p er s on, A le x i s
k i nd , w a r m, p er s on a ble ,
a nd a n over a l l g re at k id .
She i s a de l i g ht to te a c h .
How d o you pr e p a r e you r
s t u de nt s t o t a k e t he P S AT ?
M r s . M : Fi r s t , I s t udy t he
te s t my s e l f s o t h at I k now
w h at i s on it i n order to
pre p a re
my
s t udent s .
T he n, I pre s e nt t y pic a l
KIMBERLY SPERA
S
en ior c l a s s s t ude nt
A le x a nd r a Wendor f f
‘16
re c ei ve d
Nat ion a l H i sp a n ic R e c og n it ion l a s t ye a r a s a re s u lt of
her d i l i g enc e , h a rd work ,
a nd de e p t ie s to her c u lt u re a nd f a m i ly. N WC
c onduc te d a n i nter v ie w
w it h A le x to d i s c u s s her
a c h ie ve ment , a nd w it h
M r s . D eb or a h Me t z ler,
M at he m at ic s Te a c her, w ho
w a s i n s t r u ment a l i n he lp i n g A le x re c ei ve Nat ion a l
H i sp a n ic
R e c o g n it ion .
A le x a nd r a We nd or f f ’16 w a s r e c o g n i z e d a s a
Na t ion a l H i s p a n ic S c hol a r t h i s f a l l
PS AT proble m s du r i n g
c l a s s , f or home work , a nd
on te s t /qu i z z e s . I do t h i s
t he e nt i re ye a r, not ju s t
b e f ore t he PS AT. I s t a r t
doi n g t h i s w hen my s t ude nt s a re f re s h men b e c au s e
I t h i n k it i s i mp or t a nt .
H a ve y ou s e e n t he nu mb e r of y ou r s t u d e nt s
w ho
r e c e i ve
r e c o g n it ion f or a c a d e m ic s i nc r e a s e i n r e c e nt ye a r s ?
M r s . M : I h ave , e sp e c i a l ly
i n my A P C a lc u lu s c l a s s .
passages
10
NOVEMBER 2015
Lions Lead
Girls’ Soccer Win Title
By Abigail Herron ’16
Gallicchio ’16 Signs to Bryant
By Abigail Herron ’16
T
he Va r sit y Gi rl s’ S o c c er te a m a dv a nc e d to t he
c h a mpion s h ip a f ter w i n n i n g a t he i r s e m i-f i n a l
g a me a g a i n s t B e t he l on Nove mb er 18 . T he s c ore
w a s 4 -1. T he g i rl s move d on to pl ay E n f ie ld on No ve mb er 21 at Fa lc on Fie ld i n Mer ide n . T he g i rl s won
w it h a s c ore of 2 - 0, t a k i n g t he t it le of C l a s s M St ate
C h a mpion s . A t h le t ic Di re c tor M at t he w M a r tore l l i ’03
c om ment s on t he s e a s on, “ T he te a m’s re g u l a r s e a s on
re c ord w a s a n i mpre s si ve 18 -2 -1. It h a s b e e n a f u n s e as on to w atc h . A ny t i me you c a n h ave t h at m a ny at h le te s
a l l on t he s a me p a g e , a m a z i n g t h i n g s c a n h a pp e n .”
N
o r t hw e s t
C at ho l ic
ba s eba l l
p l a yer
a nd
s eni o r
J u st in G al l ic c hio ’ 1 6, s o n o f K ei t h a nd Regi na G a l l i cc hio , f in al iz e d his co mmi t ment o n No v ember 17, 2015
t o c o mpe t e in D iv is io n I co l l ege ba s eba l l a t B rya nt U ni v ers i t y.
J u s t in j o in e d t he N o rt hw es t Ca t ho l i c B a s eba l l t ea m a s a ju ni o r
an d w as a k e y par t o f t he t e am’ s 2015 Cl a s s S St a t e Cha mp i o ns hi p w i n.
He w as n ame d A l l - C o n f e r e nce a nd Al l -Co u ra nt f o r hi s ju ni o r yea r.
D u r in g t he 2 0 1 5 s e a s o n, J u s t i n p i t ched 12 ga mes . H e co mpil e d a r e c o r d o f 7 - 1 , w it h o ne s a v e a nd a n E RA o f 1.20. H e ha d
2 4 hit s , in c l u d in g e ig ht d ou bl es a nd t w o ho me ru ns , w i t h a ba t t in g av e r ag e o f . 3 8 7 . J u s t in a l s o ha d 19 RB I s a nd s co red 10 ru ns .
KIMBERLY SPERA
GINA CHAPPANO’17
“Ju s t i n i s a spe c i a l k id w ho h a s prove n t o h i s
t e a m m a t e s a nd a t h le t e s f rom ot he r spor t s t h a t h a rd
work pay s of f. A s a c om mu n it y, we a re e x t reme ly
proud of h i m a nd look f or w a rd t o a not he r suc c e s s f u l
s e a s on t h i s spr i n g.”-A t h le t ic Di re c t or M a t t he w
M a r t ore l l i ’03
Hannah Borowiec ’17 take the ball down the field.
Mrs. Margaret Williamson, Justin Gallicchio ’16, Mr. David Eustis,
and Mr. Matthew Martorelli ’03 on November 12
NWC Leads
By Molly Mullen ’16
By Molly Mullen ’16
O
ver t he s u m mer of
2 015,
Nor t hwe s t
C at hol ic
High
S c ho ol si g ne d a f ou r ye a r
c om m it ment w it h t he at hle t ic a pp a re l c omp a ny Under A r mou r. T he N WC
A t h le t ic D e p a r t me nt w a s
a ble to c l i nc h a de a l t h at
wou ld of f er m a ny v a lua ble a sp e c t s to t he s c ho ol
c om mu n it y. T h i s f ou r ye a r
Under A r mou r p a r t ners h ip i s c on sider a bly more
de si r a ble f or Nor t hwe s t
t h a n t he s c ho ol ’s pre v iou s
3 ye a r c ont r a c t w it h Ni k e .
Under A r mou r i s of f eri n g t he Nor t hwe s t L ion s
a de e p er d i s c ou nt on g e a r
t h at c a n b e c a r r ie d over
e ven a f ter t he 4 ye a r ter m s
of t he c u r rent de a l e x pi re .
M r. M at t he w M a rtore l l i ’03, A t h le t ic Di re c tor, c om mente d , “ T h i s b e ne f it s t he s c ho ol, s t ude nt s ,
p a rent s ,
a nd
a lu m n i .”
B oy s’ l a c ro s s e , b oy s’
ho c k e y, a nd s of tb a l l a re a l l
s c he du le d to re c e i ve ne w
u n i f or m s t h i s s c ho ol ye a r.
A t h le t ic te a m s w i l l c yc le
i nto ne w Under A r mou r
u n i f or m s e ver y f ou r ye a r s
w h ic h h a s b e e n t he s t a nd a rd pr a c t ic e at N WC .
M a r tore l l i s a id t h at t hou g h
f ou r ye a r s i s t he nor m, a p propr i ate de c i sion s w i l l b e
m a de re g a rd i n g i nd iv idu a l
te a m s s hou ld t he ne e d f or
ne w g a r b a r i s e s o oner. T h i s
p a r t ner s h ip p a i r s we l l w it h
t he s c ho ol ’s re br a nd i n g
pro c e s s . For a l l sp or t s , t he
ne w at t i re w i l l c a r r y t he
s a me f ont , nu mb er s t y le
a nd s h a de of g re e n . K e e p i n g t he f ont s a nd c olor
c on si s te nt w i l l e n s u re t h at
t he prog r a m a s a w hole i s
re c og n i z a ble no m at ter how
f a r a te a m t r ave l s to pl ay.
​
T he
pro c e s s
of
s w itc h i n g f rom Ni k e to
Under A r mou r to ok ne a rly
6 we e k s a nd c on sider i n g
t he si g n i f ic a nt f i n a nc i a l
c om m it me nt , w a s no sm a l l
f e at . M a r tore l l i a dd s t h at
t he s c ho ol h a s no i nte nt ion
of mov i n g b a c k a nd f or t h
f rom br a nd to br a nd , but
r at her h a s f i r m pl a n s to
s t ic k w it h Under A r mou r.
“Not m a ny h i g h s c ho ol s
h ave de a l s l i k e t h i s , it
m i m ic s c ol le g e s a nd u n iver sit ie s .”
N
or t hwe s t C at ho l ic h a s b e e n f ort u itou s
enou g h
to h ave i mple me nte d a
ne w pro g r a m i nto it s c u rr ic u lu m t h i s ye a r : L E A DS
( L e a der s h ip,
Engagement ,
A c c ou nt a bi l it y,
D e ter m i n at ion, S er v ic e ) .
T he pro g r a m a s of now i s
m a i n ly f or f re s h me n but
w i l l i nc lude S ophomore s
t h i s Spr i n g , Ju n ior s ne x t
Spr i n g , a nd S e n ior s i n
t he Fa l l of t he 2 017-2 018
s c ho ol ye a r. T he c l a s s
( he ld onc e a we e k du r i n g
a s t ude nt’s f re e p er io d ) i s
r u n by M r s . M a r y Tu r b er t R ob er t s ’ 9 6 , Di re c tor of L e a der s h ip. M r s .
R ob er t s w a nte d to c re ate
a c l a s s t h at wou ld b e t ter
he lp s t ude nt s a c h ie ve t he
s c ho ol ’s m i s sion a nd v ision . T he pro g r a m a i m s to
i nter t w i ne a c a de m ic pro g r a m s a nd s k i l l s a nd c onc e pt s to he lp b e t ter e duc ate t he w hole s e l f a s we l l
a s b e t ter pre p a re s t ude nt s
f or p o s t-h i g h s c ho ol e nde avor s . R ob er t s h a s e mph a si z e d her g o a l to m a k e
Nor t hwe s t C at hol ic s t ude nt s , i n her ow n word s ,
“m a rk e t a ble ” a nd “you n g
le a der s” i n a dd it ion to
t he m “ b e i n g a ble to le ave
Northw e s t
n o t
ju s t a c ademic a l l y
ready
b u t
a b l e
to p o The Class of 2019 participating in the LEADS
s i t i o n
program
t h e m s e l v e s
s t udent s qu ic k ly b e c ome
as
le a der s
to o.” a c c l i m ate d to u n f a m i l i a r
T he L E A DS c l a s s e s a re f a c e s a nd pro c e du re s . T he
a l re a dy i n f u l l s w i n g , a nd we e k ly c l a s s e s t h at f re s ha re a l re a dy prov i n g to b e men at tend h ave bu i lt on
b e ne f ic i a l . A L e a der s h ip t hei r or ient at ion, he lp e d
Su m m it w a s of f ere d t h i s s t udent s f e e l c om f or t a ble
s u m mer to Ju n ior s a nd S e - i n a h i g h s c ho ol s e t t i n g
n ior s . R ob er t s te a me d up a nd b e c ome a c c u s tome d
w it h E M P OW E R L e a d- to l i f e at Nor t hwe s t C at her s h ip Sp or t s to de v i s e a ol ic , a s we l l a s s er v i n g a s a
pro g r a m t h at wou ld he lp pl a c e to re t re at to a s k a ny
le a der s i n t he s c ho ol b e t- que s t ion s t he y ne e d to.
ter le a d i n t he up c om i n g T he hop e i s t h at
s c ho ol ye a r. T he s u m m it t he f re s h men of t he c l a s s
w a s w i ld ly p opu l a r, a nd of 2 019 a nd a l l f ol low i n g
prove d to b e a c or ner s tone g r a du at i n g c l a s s e s w i l l b e
i n g e ner at i n g ne w le a der s a ble to bu i ld on t he t hei r
i n t he s c ho ol c om mu n it y. le a der s h ip s k i l l s f or f ou r
Fre s h m a n or ient at ion w a s ye a r s , to t he p oi nt w here
a l s o a p a r t of t he L E A DS a s a s en ior t he y f e e l c onpro g r a m, a nd i s a not her f ident a nd re a dy to le ave
te s t a ment to t he v a lue of Nor t hwe s t C at hol ic a nd
t he L E A DS pro g r a m . T he t a k e on a mbit iou s f ut u re s
Fre s h m a n
or ient at ion a nd p o sit ion s a s v it a l
(w h ic h w a s a l s o p a r t nere d le a der s i n s o c ie t y.
w it h E M P OW E R ) he lp e d
KIMBERLY SPERA
New Look for the Lions
passages
Sports
Football
11
NOVEMBER 2015
Field Hockey
Captains: Mary Budnick ’16, Annie O’Meara ’16, Julia Klein ’16
Record: 7-8-1
Captain’s commentary: “We started out as a less experienced team but we’ve really
worked to become and work as a unit on the field making us a strong competitor. We have
all strengthened our skills as the season has progressed, and become a strong team,” says
Annie O’Meara ’16.
Standout Performance: This season, goalie Gianna Molinari ’17 had an outstanding
season. Her experience and skills kept the team from letting in goals in every game.
In the team’s game against Avon High School, she had 34 saves and held Avon to no goals
until overtime. During the first round of the State Tournament against Stonington High
School, Gianna made 15 saves, demonstrating her talent on field.
State Tournament Results: The Varsity field hockey team qualified for the CIAC State
Tournament with a regulation tie against Avon. The girls took on Stonington in the first
round of the tournament. After a long game of intensity and determination, the team was
defeated by a final score of 3-0, but remained proud of their work this season.
Looking Ahead: The depth to the team is promising as the girls look ahead for next
season. Although seven seniors will be graduating,the underclassmen and young leaders on
the team will hope to do well again for the 2016 season and qualify for the tournament for
a fourth time in a row.
LINDA ERRICO
LAURA O’SHEA
Record: 4-5
Captains: Jon Granata ’16, Femi Adebimpe ’17, Clayton Stewart ’17
Player’s Perspective: “The season is going fairly well, we are all getting used to
changes around the program. We are finally starting to develop more as a team and
we look to finish out our season strong,” Christian Dunn ’16 remarks.
A Word with the New Coach: “We have had a couple of terrific wins and we have
also had some difficult losses to very good teams, as the league is very strong this
year. We are working hard and trying to get better. We had some injuries that have
hampered us, but we have enjoyed contributions from many players so we remain
optimistic for the remainder of our season,” Coach Brett Quinion said as the new
Varsity football coach this year.
Standout Performance: Through difficult games, the team has remained strong and
determined, under the leadership of the seniors and captains. According to Coach
Quinion, player Dan Adebimpe ’17 has done a great job this season as both running
back and linebacker. Seniors Dan Shumaker ’16, Liam Connelly ’16 and Captain
Jon Granata ’16 have also proven themselves this season. The leadership from the
upperclassmen has helped the team succeed and persevere.
Captain Julia Klein ’17 defends the goal against Avon High School
Clayton Stewart ’17 goes for the punt
Girls’ Volleyball
Record: 6-4
Captains: Kevin Kearns ’16, Jack Carew ’16, Sam Spak ’16
Captain’s commentary: Captain Kevin Kearns ’16 said of the season, “We worked
as a team, and encouraged each other to always try harder. Every single race we improved, and we established a close, formidable varsity pack that gave us a considerable advantage over the other teams scoring-wise.”
Coach’s Commentary: “We had a fantastic season in my first year as head coach.
I’m very thankful to Mr. Fletcher for his leadership in the program for so long, to
Mr. Carlson for being a great assistant coach, the team managers Teddie Petropolous ’17 and Katie Konigsberg ’17, and to the entire team for the efforts and
enthusiasm this fall,” Coach Williamson ’99 commented.
Standout Performance: The boys’ cross country team placed third in the regular
season and took 3rd place in the divisional championship. The team placed 11th
in the Class SS State Championship Meet. Brian Waterston ’17 earned All-Conference and was awarded the teams “Most Valuable Player”, while Kevin Kearns
’16 received “Coaches’ Award”. All the members of the team had great seasons and
hope to improve on their success next year.
Looking ahead for next season: Though the team will be losing four valuable seniors, the boys have great potential for next season with the help of strong
underclassmen. The team’s younger runners, such as Brendan Gill ’17 and Dylan
Rispoli ’18 just to name a few, will hopefully be able to continue the boys’ success
next season.
Record: 13-7
Captains: Erin Feeney ’16, Megan Weiss ’16
Captain’s commentary: “Coming into this season, none of us really knew what to expect,
but we worked really hard and had a great regular season. I think it has a lot to do with how
close we all are and how much we love playing together,” Erin Feeney ’16 commented
Schedule: The girls play a very tough conference schedule including bigger powerhouse L
schools Simsbury and Glastonbury. However, with hard work and tremendous effort, the
team qualified for the CIAC State Tournament.
Standout Performance: The team was consistent in succeeding throughout the entire season. In addition to the captains and seniors, some of the key players were Elizabeth LeBlanc
’17 and Maeve Kearns ’17. LeBlanc ’17 recorded 12 digs and 12 assists in the team’s game
against Middletown, while Kearns ’17 recorded 19 digs. In the same game, Claire Nicholas
’17 had 16 kills and 12 digs. Seniors Diana Cao ’16 and Kaitlin McGuire ’16 also had strong
seasons in their last year as NWC Volleyball players.
State Tournament Results: The volleyball team qualified for states with a regular season
record of 13-6. After a close match going to five games, the girls lost to Trinity Catholic by a
score of 9-15 in the last game of the set in the first round of the CIAC state tournament. Erin
Feeney ’16 had 17 kills and 21 digs, while Anna Deneen ’17 had 19 digs and 3 aces. All of
the seniors had an amazing season and ended their season with drive and hard work.
GINA CHAPPANO ’17
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
Boys’ Cross Country
Samuel Spak ’16 runs to cross the finish line
Kelly Galeota ’17 jumps to block the ball
Sports
passages
12
NOVEMBER 2015
Girls’ Cross Country
Record: 6-10-1
Captains: Kerry Ferrell ’16, Asa Guest ’17, Oliver Hasson’16
Coach’s Commentary: Coach Terry Phillip commented, “The season
was filled with injuries for the first half, but the second half we got
healthy and turned things around. We had a pretty tough draw for
states, but it was a total team effort in qualifying.”
From a Captain: “People don’t realize how difficult it is for a small
school to play in a Class L Division. The schedule has been very challenging, but it prepared us well,” Oliver Hasson ’16.
Standout Performance: Captain Kerry Ferrell ’16 had an outstanding
season in his last year playing soccer for Northwest. His determination
and leadership both on and off the field is in part what led the boys’
team to such a great season. The entire team played hard in every game
and showed their strengths against tough opponents.
State Tournament Results: With a 4-0 win over Windsor High
School on October 28th, the Boys’ Varsity soccer team qualified for
the CIAC State Tournament. The entire team, both offensively and
defensively, played an excellent game in the first round of the tournament. After playing an intense game, the team lost by a score of 1-0 to
Notre-Dame Fairfield and ended their season with a strong showing.
Record: 7-3
Captains: Megan Grandell ’16, Caroline Gill ’16, Christina Colliton ’16
From a Captain: “This season was one of the best we have had in a while. We had a great group of
close-knit girls who were all very dedicated to the sport and to the team as a whole. This season was
the perfect way to end my four years as a member of the NWC girls’ cross country team,” said Megan
Grandell ’16.
Coach’s Commentary: “The team had great leadership from all of the seniors, especially the captains.
There is exciting potential from very talented Juniors and underclassmen,” Coach Williamson ’99
remarked.
Standout Performance: The girls’ team place second place in the divisional championship race and in
the regular season, in part due to the excellent leadership from the upperclassmen. The team’s MVP and
an All-Conference was Kathryn Shea ’18, while Captain Christina Colliton received Coaches’ Award.
The girls place eighth in the Class SS State Championship Meet and ended their season with high energy
and much improvement.
KIMBERLY SPERA
ABIGAIL HERRON ’16
Boys’ Soccer
Johnny Iacobucci ’17 sprints to kick the ball down
the field
Megan Grandell ’16 looks determined to finish the race strong
Girls’ Soccer Clinch State Championship Win
GINA CHAPPANO ’17
GINA CHAPPANO ’17
Captains: Bailey Julian ’16, Mackenzie Tibball ’16, Anna Cronin ’16, Kelsey Dornfried ’16
Record: 19-2-1
Captain’s commentary: “We are so happy to have had such a successful regular season, but we hope to really work as a team, play our best soccer, and win a state championship,”
Mackenzie Tibball ’16.
Coach’s Commentary: “We always go in to every season hoping to win our division and we were able to do that. We did have 1 tie vs Avon but overall it was great to win the
CCC White division. All of our 9 seniors have done an amazing job this year. Goalie Becca Molin ’16 has been great when called upon and has grown into a solid keeper in her
final season. We have our sights set on a championship this year,” Coach Todd Sadler remarked.
Standout Performance: The Varsity team this year had nine seniors who all played particularly well, especially in facing challenging opponents. In the team’s game against East
Hampton, which qualified them for the Class M Semifinals, Rachel Elliott ’16 and Hannah Borowiec ’17 each had two assists. Scoring goals were Deanna Casey ’16, Naomi
McPherson ’17, Madison Cote ’19, and Mackenzie Tibball ’16 with two. In the Semifinal game, the girls beat Bethel by a score of 4-1. Goals were scored by Abbey Fitzsimmons
’16, Hannah Borowiec ’17, Rachel Elliott ’16, and Kelsey Dornfried ’16.
State Tournament Results: With a 2-0 victory over East Hampton, the team qualified for the Class M Semifinals in the CIAC State Tournament. The girls defeated Bethel by
a score of 4-1 and advanced to the CIAC State Championship game to compete against Enfield. Going into the game, the girls were well prepared and eager for awin. The girls
came out victorious with a score of 2-0.
Kirsten Armetta ’17 looks to pass the ball to her teammates.
Rachel Elliott ’16 dribbles around her opponent from Avon High School.