Ross Colton: from Robbinsville to the NHL by Abby Moir
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MARCH 2021 EDITION Ross Colton: From Robbinsville to the NHL By Abby Moir On February 24, Ross Colton, the 24-year old Robbinsville native, made his National Hockey League debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning. And, at 6:43 mark of the opening period, Colton scored his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes, making him just the ninth player in team history to score a goal in his NHL debut. “It didn’t feel real when I scored,” Colton said. “Sounds cliché but I think after I scored I blacked out and didn’t know how to react because I was so excited. The best part was that my parents, brother, cousin, aunt, grandmother and two best friends were all there to see it happen in person. So, just to be able to experience that with them is something we will all be able to remember forever.” Colton first became interested in hockey by going to Trenton Titans games when he was young. Colton went to school in Robbinsville from grades 1 “ I fell in love with the game watching them and the to 8 before attending Princeton Day School. After New Jersey Devils,” he said. two years, he transferred to The Taft School in Connecticut. Colton and his brother Robert would try to go to as many Devils games as they could, where Ross’ favorite “It hit me that I would have a good shot of playing in player was Zach Parise. college when I was a freshman at PDS,” Colton said. “I started to get emails and calls from Division 1 Colton started skating at the age of four when his schools.. I always dreamed of playing pro but that parents signed him up him to learn how to skate. He really clicked when I was drafted by Tampa Bay that still skates with his long-time coach Chris Barcless at I was going to have a good shot at my dream.” IceLand in Hamilton, where he competed for the Mercer Continued on next page→ Chiefs from 2009 to 2012. 1 What is your favorite place to eat in Jersey? “Favorite place to eat is JoJo’s Tavern in Hamilton. My go to order is an antipasto salad, wings and a sausage pizza. The best pizza around if you ask me.” What is a standout moment you remember about growing up in Robbinsville? “A special moment growing up in Robbinsville was winning the 10-year-old All Star State championship for baseball. I’m still close with a bunch of guys who I played with on the team and get together as much as we can every summer when I come home.” Who was your favorite teacher or one that still stands out to you? “One of my favorite teachers growing up was my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Zahn. We would always tease each other because she was a huge Philadelphia Flyers fan and I loved the Devils. She congratulated me along with He then transferred a final time his senior year to go Mr. Johnson, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Revay and Mrs. Oszvart play junior hockey in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He attended all of whom were some of my favorites during my time Cedar Rapids Washington High School, where he at Sharon and Pond.” graduated. After high school Ross went on to play hockey for the University of Vermont for two years before he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016 as the #118 overall pick. “I definitely feel as though I have come a long way,” he says. “I dreamed of this moment as a 4-year-old skating at Iceland and the moment I stepped on the ice for my first shift it hit me that my dream came true. Myself along with my mom and dad all sacrificed so much throughout the years for me to get here and to see it finally pay off was an incredible feeling. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family so I give all the credit to my mom, dad and brother.” Here are some more questions Ross has kindly answered about growing up in Robbinsville: It’s safe to say that Colton has come a long way since growing up in Robbinsville. He still hasn’t forgotten Out of New Jersey, Vermont, New York and Florida where he came from and Robbinsville sure hasn’t which is your favorite state? forgotten him. So, make sure to watch out for number 79 “They all have their perks. I would have to say Florida for the Tampa Bay Lightning because he is proof that we because of the weather. Just the other day I was laying can all reach our dreams. by the pool getting a tan. I don’t think I could do that in New Jersey or Vermont in the middle of winter!” 2 Spirit Week Check out the RHS staff and students showing their spirit! 3 Ravens Go Back to School By Ava Goodman As March kicked off, hundreds of RHS students With these safety measures, Robbinsville High walked proudly through the doors and into the School has been able to provide its students with commons, heading back to school for five days a high-caliber education while also ensuring they week for the first time this school year. After nearly remain safe. a year of virtual school, students were finally able to regain a sense of normalcy. With this change in schedule, teachers have had to juggle students in person and remote. However, in With many students in person from 7:30am to true Robbinsville fashion, teachers continue to work 11:45am, the previously desolate hallways now hard to make sure students in and out of school are buzz with excitement. With this excitement also still learning. With a lot of courage and a bit of comes appropriate safety protocols that the strength, the district’s staff is working hard to make Robbinsville administration and the CDC have put the rest of what has seemed to be an uneasy year a into place. The school has direction signs in memorable and fun experience. In the midst of hallways, ensuring they do not become trying times, Robbinsville High School is doing a overcrowded, one person to bathroom rules and great job pushing the school forward in a safe and social distancing. effective way. 4 Wrestling Season Starts off With a Bang The Robbinsville High School wrestling team started The returning senior team captains are Drake their season off with a bang on March 1st. Rather than Torrington and Shailen Savur. Both are reigning starting in late November like it normally does, the Mercer County Tournament and District champions. team's season was pushed to the beginning of March. Torrington is committed to wrestle for TCNJ, and Since wrestling is a very close contact sport, Savur is going to wrestle at Wesleyan University. The COVID-19 has affected their practices in many ways. team’s successes would not be possible without their According to senior Shailen Savur, “Masks are worn amazing coaches: Sean Flynn, Brian Dempsey, and during practices, and the time is split between lifting Daniel Hughes. Their tireless effort has led past teams weights and wrestling.” Half the team wrestles while to many victories. the other half of the team works out in the Black Box. This allows for less people to be on the mats and makes “Without a doubt, I’m never going to forget the for safer practices. feeling of home I get from coaches Flynn, Dempsey and Hughes everyday in the wrestling room,” said Fortunately, the team's lineup for this year is extremely Torrington. “I am going to miss that the most when I strong. In previous years, the team lost matches due to leave Robbinsville.” forfeits. However, this season’s lineup is particularly strong because there are several talented freshmen joining the squad. The team’s first match was against Hamilton West on March 16th, and their most anticipated matches will be against Hightstown and Hopewell Valley. Along with the newcomers, there are many returning wrestlers who are excited to get back By Shreya Savur on the mats! 5 February Teacher of the Month: Señorita Brooks Congratulations! Here are some things Ms. Brooks’s students Here are some things you should know about had to say about her: Ms. Brooks: “She always makes sure we understand the lessons and keeps in check the amount of homework, so no student What inspired you to become a teacher? is too stressed out.” “After college, I worked in education research and managed a team of data collectors who worked with “Because she truly cares a lot and understands how hard bilingual students. I had this feeling that I was ‘on the this year has been on all of her students. I really wrong side of the glass.’ I wanted to work directly with appreciate how hard she tries to make her class (and the students. While I went to college for Spanish, school in general) enjoyable for all her students.” psychology, and art, my favorite part-time jobs were always working with children at the YMCA, day camps “I really like Srta. Brooks because she teaches really and more. I loved making personal connections with well and I'm able to understand Spanish a lot better kids and creating a warm, supportive environment because of her.” where they could grow. So, I decided to make a career of it!” What do you enjoy most about being a teacher? “I still love the personal connections I get to make with students as a teacher; I love feeling like a trusted adult that students know they can rely on for any kind of support, academic, social or emotional.