NFA World
by Geoff Serra
The Student Advisory Board continues to promote responsible citizenship by sponsoring voter registration for students who would be 18 on or before Nov. 4. In addition, from March 24 – 28, the SAB will be making appointments for their April 2nd Blood Drive for NFA students and personnel. To give blood, students must be 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, bring a picture ID, and have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian. If the SAB reaches its goal of 65 donors, one student will win a $50 itunes gift card.
Shakespeare came to life on the Slater stage in “Will and Whimsy,” a compilation of modern dramatizations of Shakespearean sonnets. From March 5-7, about 90 students in Mrs. Derusha’s Drama I and II classes performed scenes demonstrating the Shakespeare’s relevance. In one, Dominque Weigel recites from Sonnet 73: “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments…” as Moses Shuff listens to his girlfriend, Amanda Amparo drone on comparing herself to a paparazzi stalked celebrity. In another, a teenager Shannah Cotton confides to her goldfish her unhappiness with her lot in life while Margaret Linn recites lines from Sonnet 29: “When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes….”
One creative interpretation followed another in delightful and instructive presentations. Other student performers included David Smith, Janine Theve, Niki Hultin, Carlena Hall, Brock Howe, Corey Howe, Kristina Struck, Jessica Diroma, Taylor Jackson, Melissa Herrick, Kelsey Arpin, Andrew Way, Evi Correia, Nate Przekop, and Angela Guo.
The English Department announces this year’s prize examinations: Evarts Senior Essay, March 10; Williams Letter Writing Prize, March 17; and Class of 1904 Contest, March 24th. Each contest awards a cash prize of at least $100. Students should ask their English teachers about eligibility, time, and place.
NFA at Eastern: As part of NFA’s College Pathways initiative, NFA will take the entire 10th grade to Eastern Connecticut State University to visit on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Actually seeing a college campus helps students understand the possibilities for the future. Students will tour campus both actually and virtually using interactive computer software. Eastern has arranged an entire day’s menu of sessions: Preparing for the Future; Financing College; Liberal Arts; and Campus Life. Representatives from the Athletics, College Housing, Career Services, Financial Aid, and Admissions Departments will participate. At lunch, students will experience college dining first hand in Hurley Dining Hall. Field trip permission forms have been distributed to students. Teachers and counselors will chaperone. A Wildcat thanks to Kimberly Crone, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Eastern for her assistance.
To New Englanders, ice-skating and winter go hand in hand. Not so for many international students. Ellen DeLeon, who teaches foreign speaking students, arranged a March 10 outing for 60 students to skate at the Norwich Municipal Rink between 4-7 p.m. Many quickly mastered the art and dashed off with great speed. Joining students were NFA skating faculty and staff chaperones Amy Rygielski, Keith Danieluk, Chris Merrall, Joe Porter, Sue Iwanicki, Leo Butler, Elaine Porter, Geri Donahue and Sarah Langley. A hearty pizza feast ended the event.
“I think it was a special day for me because it’s not every day you have a chance to gather with your friend or teachers out of school,” says senior Deivon de Andrade. Upper Andrise Laurore adds, “That was my first time skating. I was scared to fall … but that was fun to do with your friends and teachers.”
A Wildcat roar of gratitude to Michael Goldblatt ’64, who helped sponsor the event and to the Norwich Municipal Rink for the ice time and hospitality.
The Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center hosted the Professional Bowlers Association Go RVing Classic. Advisor Matt Bedard and the NFA Bowling Club volunteered on March 5-7 to score the event using laptop computers and written scoring. Students were thrilled to meet the professional bowlers, and PBA organizers invited the Bowling Club to return next year for the event. Participating were Max Zachem, Amanda Lee, Dan Conde, Gallagher Cole, Nathaniel Lee, Paul Kalinowski, Steve Young, Francesca Brown, Alyssa Harrington, Justin Fernandez, Pro Rhino Page, Reyni Sexius, Brittany Noyes, Krysten Nadeau, Danielle Ladd, Rachael Horn, Tyler Hanes, Pete Niles, Tiana Madison, and Alyssa Rogers
Wildcat Billboard:
For all regularly scheduled Varsity Athletic events, consult the NFA Web site, Athletics tab, Schedule link.
Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., March 18, Board Room, Latham.
Parents Council, 7 p.m., March 19, Board Room, Latham.
Norwich Historical Society, Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., March 24, Ensemble Room, Frank Center.
As we interact with one another, remember the wise words of American philosopher and psychologist, Henry James: “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”
Geoff Serra teaches English at NFA.
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