RedhawkA chronicle of the excellence at ParsippanyReport High School Vol. 11, Issue 2 “Winter Edition” – March 2021

Hello RedHawks,

We’re coming towards the home stretch. The snow has melted and the sun is coming to stay. We’re so happy that we got through a successful winter sports season and that our clubs and activities are all doing good things in unique situations. We look forward to a “more normal” spring, with outdoor sports, a spring musical, outdoor induction ceremonies, graduation (and who knows what else for our seniors???). Students have been great about wearing their masks (but can improve with social distancing), and we successfully combined cohorts to get more students safely within the building. We are also adding one final group for the start of MP4. Needless to say, it’s great to see students in the building again. For now, please focus on being safe and working to achieve all of your academic goals (passing, graduating, attending, etc…). Thanks, Dr. Mulroony SAFETY PROTOCOL REMINDERS Here are some reminders to help keep school safe, productive and open for APRIL everyone: 2-9 - Spring Break • Continue to wear your mask at all times (this has been tremendous) 27 - World Language Honor • Change and/or wash your mask daily Society Inductions • Follow the one-way hallways and stay to the right in two-way hallways (even though the crowds are smaller) MAY • Maintain social distancing; please do not gather in tight groups in- 20 – NHS Inductions between classes or during mask breaks (this is something we need to 26 – Hall of Fame Inductions work on). 31 - Schools Closed - Memorial • Do not high-five, handshake, hug, chest-bump or perform any traditional Day

touchdown dances when in the building (keep your hands to yourself) JUNE • Do not gather in the restrooms, wait your turn in the hallway if you cannot 9- Senior Awards maintain social distancing 11- Parsippany Leadership • Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer Retreat • Complete your online Health Verification Form in Genesis before coming to 12 – Powderpuff? school each day 22- Graduation • If you have a snack, wait until the 15 min. break to eat it (no food in class) • If you have water, please ask to go into the hallway to take a drink As always, check Twitter and our • PLEASE QUARANTINE IF YOU TRAVEL OUT OF STATE website for athletic schedules and live streams! SENIOR TO-DO LIST ELLA HE IS A DECA IN THIS ISSUE STATE CHAMP! pg. 2 Boys & Girls Hoops • PASS ALL OF YOUR CLASSES! pg. 3 Hockey & Bowling pg. 4 DECA, Art & Myesha Ali • GRADUATE! pg. 5 Spring Musical & ACDEC • Submit your selfie for the Senior pg. 6 Scholars of Month, Key Club Bleach Picture pg. 7 ACDEC; Athletes of Week, HOSA • Submit a candid photo of yourself pg. 8 Choir, FBLA, Band to go with your portrait pg. 9 Guidance News & Peer Leaders • Make sure your cap & gown are pg. 10 Environmental Club & STEM ordered and paid for Pathways pg. 11 Reading Challenge Info

BOYS HOOPS FINISHES STRONG STUDENT TEACHER WINS AWARD The Boys Team finished the season with a 4-

6 record, finishing strong with a 4-2 mark in the last six Congrats to Mr. Reidinger’s student games. They were led by a strong 2021 class consisting teacher Mark Stack fpr being of 12 close-knit seniors. After a tight loss to a talented recognized as a 2020/2021 Pequannock team, they caught fire and earned victories Distinguished Clinical Intern based over Vernon, Kinnelon, Sussex Tech and North Warren. on his performance during the past Leading scorers were AJ Cordacso (13.3 pts per game), school year. Three nominees were Seamus Hansberry (10.2 pts per game) and Andrew chosen to represent William Niedermaier (8.1 pts per game) while John Ortiz and Paterson University at the virtual Kevin Preston hit the board and did a little of everything Distinguished Clinical else. Congrats to AJ Cordasco who was named First- Intern Awards on June 9, 2021 Team All-Conference and to Kevin Preston who was sponsored by the NJDOE and the NJ Honorable Mention All-Conference. The future is Association of Colleges for Teacher bright for the RedHawks who had many Education (NJACTE). Mr. Stack has underclassmen contributing throughout the season. a bright future ahead of him!

GIRLS BASKETBALL RECAP

Girls Hoops finished the season with a nice tournament win versus Sussex Tech, giving us some momentum going into next season. The Lady RedHawks competed each night with heart and passion and played together as a team. Congratulations to the graduating seniors who provided leadership, maturity, and guidance for the team throughout the season: Shreya Desai, Roxanne Burby, Jessica Reich, Jenna Devens and Emily Feola. Congrats to Jenna Devens earned Second Team All-Conference and All-Academic Team with a GPA of 3.7. Shreya Desai earned Honorable Mention All- Conference. Best of luck to Jenna Devens who will continue her career at St. Michael’s!

PARSIPPANY REGIONAL HOCKEY

This has been a weird and uncomfortable year for everyone, and that was no different for this hockey season. We all had to become accustomed to wearing masks during practice and while on the bench, no bussing to practices or games, locker rooms were prohibited, and we could only enter the rink 15 minutes before puck drop. To add the cherry on top, we had no fans until the last few weeks of the season when two parents were allowed to come. With all those adversities, the Parsippany Regional team came together in the best possible way. We embraced the "new normal" and showed up every day to improve and compete. Although our record wasn't what we had hoped it to be, we fought for each other and never gave up. Like you, we are hopeful that next season brings brighter days! End of Season Honors: - David Zilinskis: 1st Team All-Charette Division (PHHS) - Kyle Kirk: Honorable Mention All-Charette Division (PHS)

UNIFIED BOWLING ROLLING STRIKES

Year 2 is officially complete for the PHS Unified Bowling team! Despite the unfortunate circumstances of Covid-19, we had fourteen players who were able to participate in-person for the two month season. A big shout-out to Jarrett BOOK CLUB READS Behnke and Sofia McBride; not only did these two sign up for their first year as freshmen, but they were both constant high scorers each week! In addition, we BEARTOWN are so proud of Sarah Ahmed who bowled 5 strikes in a row during one of our practices! She aimed for that Turkey, The PHS Book Club resumed achieved it, and kept going strong!! their literary ways by reading Another highlight of our season...our very Beartown by Frederik own Swina Patel earned the spot of Backman. Beartown is a novel Athlete of the Week! Every one of our that tracks a small hockey- players brings their own unique personality obsessed town in Sweden and to each practice which made this looks at the impact of sports, year’s Unified Bowling season an unforgettable relationships and tragic one! Thank you, players, for your dedication actions. If you haven’t read to the team and we look forward to next year! anything by Backman, check something out; he’s an MATH HONORS SOCIETY amazing writer! Thanks to all Math Honor Society inducted 16 new members this Spring. What does that of our student and staff mean? More tutors for our free math tutoring!! Sign up readers; it was great discussing here: https://forms.gle/khQ1s12Q7Mv3pmt2A the book with you!

COACH LILIENTHAL ENDS AN EPIC RUN Congrats to Coach Rebecca Lilienthal who announced her retirement from coaching after 23 seasons as our Coach. We wish her the best as she watches her daughters compete… Check out her numbers to your left!

DECA COMPETITION: ELLA HE WINS STATE TITLE!

HUGE congrats to Ella He who placed 1st in the Principles of Marketing event at the NJ State DECA Conference. Ella will move onto the National DECA Conference in April. She is our first State Champion in 8 years! Congrats, also, to the following DECA members who placed at the Regional Competition: Ella He – 1st, Principles of Marketing Stuti Shah – 8th, Principles PF Marketing Joshua Kreitman – 9th, Apparel & Accessories Marketing

NOAH’S COMEBACK COLLECTION

Huge thanks to the Lorencovitz Family who organized a gigantic community collection of gently used sporting goods, all of which they donated to Leveling the Playing Field. This service was done in the name of Noah Lorencovitz, an inspirational PHS alumni who is working hard on his comeback.

MYESHA ALI = NJ KEY CLUB LT. GOV. AP COMPUTER SCIENCE AWARD PHS Key Club member Myesha Ali was elected Lieutenant Congrats to Mrs. Effner and her female AP Governor for NJ Key Club's Computer Science students who received one Division 17. As Lieutenant of the College Board AP Computer Science Governor of Division 17, Female Diversity Awards for 2020! Myesha will be responsible for supporting and growing the clubs within her division and serving as a liaison between the NJ District of Key Club and the clubs in Division 17. Duties include the publication of a newsletter, club officer training, holding divisional meetings, and serving on one or more NJ Key Club district committees. Myesha will also serve as a voting member of the New Jersey Key Club Board of Trustees. Congratulations, Myesha!

SPRING MUSICAL – THE LAST FIVE YEARS – ANOTHER HIT

The Par High Drama Club put on another terrific Spring Musical this year, despite unique circumstances. The Last Five Years is an intimate musical that featured four talented PHS actors: Sara Lepre, Stephanie Wilson, Joseph Tremitiedi and Kenneth Lee. The show, as usual, was entertaining and hilarious and highlighted the talents of our performers.

Special thanks to Mrs. Musilli, who directed her last PHS show after many years of dedication and devotion to the program. SNOWMAN CONTEST Photography students working with some Make sure you check out their “2021 Winter Showcase,” a night of Congrats to Abhilasha Salunia for winning the Senior monologues, songs and dances that will be streamed on Thurs. March Class’s Snowman Building Contest. Abhilasha’s 25th at 7:00. creation was voted best by the faculty and she won a Canadian models… free Prom ticket for her efforts.

STUDENT-

TEACHER FFL Congrats to Mr. DiBernard for defeating junior Sy Ghosh in the finals to take home our 3rd annual Student-Teacher Fantasy Football Championship, the 3rd in a row for the teachers!

ACADEMIC DECATHLON ADVANCES TO STATES The Parsippany High School Academic Decathlon (AcDec) Team recently participated in the New Jersey Regional competition on Friday/Saturday January 29/30. They placed second in the region, qualifying for the State Competition held on Friday/Saturday February 26/27. Both competitions were held remotely. Parsippany High School’s team earned 23 medals at the Regional Competition and 5 medals at the State Competition. Seven team members and nine alternates competed. Team members are: Angelina Chen, Varshini Chennupati, Isa Khan, Olivia Marto, Aarav Patel, Nicholas Yap and Emily Young, Alternate team members include: Aarya Dhake, Ayush Goyal, JiaYi Ni, Jinesh Patel, Ronak Patel, Jignasu Shah, Ashley Skladany, Priya Vishnoi and Sharon Zhong.

Academic Decathlon is a 10-event scholastic competition for high school students. The events include math, science, social science, literature, economics, art, music, speech, essay and interview. This year’s theme was the Cold War. Team coaches are Nancy Lennon, Science Teacher and Stacy Cozin, Media Specialist.

FRENCH CLUB NEWS Congrats to our French Honor Society students who were (finally) inducted after reading the oath with their teacher Mr. Cassu. They held a virtual ceremony last April.

MATH TEAM The math team recently competed in the American Mathematics Competition National exam. Congrats to Manan Lad and Celine Chen for scoring the highest for our school.

SCHOLARS OF THE MONTH Every month we recognize students from each department for their academic performance/improvement/excellence. Here are the winners for December, January & February. They will be recognized (hopefully) with a breakfast in June.

DEC Math: Max Zhang English: Sara Wink SS: Anvi Bhatt Science: Abby Bresalier PE/Health: Jessica Reich WL/ESL: Samira Nazari Electives: Dan Kristoffersen JAN Math: Snigda Nadella English: Dean Cattani SS: Pasquale Ferrara Science: Maria Rago PE/Health: Roxanne Burby WL/ESL: Alessandra Parziale Electives: Rainie Li (Art) FEB Math: Jamie Solomon English: Atinder Kahlon SS: Camryne Aboagye Science: Isabella Lomelo PE/Health: Joelle Spirock WL/ESL: Elizabeth Cogan Electives: Alessandra Parziale

WINTERGIRLS HOOPS SHOP FINISH RITE STRONG STARS Congrats to our 2nd Shop Rite Stars winners of 2020-21: QPIFVBQVB NBQOUVOQUAcademics: CJ Bernauer Athletics: Nicole Rago QOUVQOVThe Arts: Jacob Meth Leadership: Varshini Chennupati Service: Snigda Nadella QVFPBQVOUYO

KEY CLUB KEEPING BUSY/MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Despite difficult circumstances, our Par High Key Club, under the advisor- ship of Ms. Hulin, has been keeping extremely busy and has been helping

people all over the place. Here are some of the activities that they’ve undertaken:

• Created thank you posters for our Custodial Staff and hung them around the building • Volunteered to pack and distribute food at the Parsippany Kiwanis Food Distribution Event • Made over 200 Holiday Cards that were shared with the elderly residents of St. Catherine’s Health Care Center, Marian Manor Senior Residence and Care One at Morris Assisted Living. • Collaborated with PHHS Key Club to send thank you emails to every administrator in our district, including BOE & Central Office • Held our annual Coffeehouse virtually with lots of interactive games, activities, and performances (lip dub, poetry reading, etc.) • Made Easter Goody Bags for the children served by Toni's Kitchen Food Ministry in Montclair

BALDWIN PIZZA ATHLETES OF THE WEEK WINTER SEASON

Congrats to our Baldwin Pizza Athletes of the Week for the Winter Season. Thanks for representing Par High on the athletic field. Special thanks to Baldwin Pizza for generously sponsoring this award by donating t-shirts and gift certificates to the restaurant!

Kyle Kirk – Hockey Jenna Devens – Girls Hoops Swina Patel – Unified Bowling Shreya Desai – Girls Hoops AJ Cordasco – Boys Hoops Seamus Hansberry – Boys Hoops

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT NCAA SIGNINGS

DEFENDS TRIVIA TITLE Congrats and good luck to the following seniors who are continuing their athletic careers in college: Congrats to the PHS Social Studies Department who defended their annual Faculy Trivia Challenge Title, holding off the Science (2nd) and English (3rd) James Riedinger – Bucknell University, Track & Field Departments. Individual honors went to: Giovanna Stull – William Paterson, Soccer 1st - Emily Kuznetsov (Social Studies) *More signing information to come! 2nd – Mrs. Garbarino (Science) 3rd – Mr. Campbell (Social Studies) ALUM NOEL CHAMBERS MARCHES IN 4th – Mr. Novak (English) PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION PARADE 5th – Mr. Murphy (Science) WITH UNIVERISITY OF DELAWARE

RED CROSS CLUB

Our Par High Red Cross Club was recently chosen for the February Red Cross Spotlight and was recognized at the State Level by NJ Red Cross Youth for their Influential Reader Program. Great job!

HOSA REGIONAL RESULTS

Congrats to our HOSA members who competed in the Northern Regional Conference. They had members place in eight different events. Way to go!

Biomedical Lab Science: Ronak Patel – 8th Clinical Nursing: Samantha Egger – 2nd Cultural Diversity & Disparity: Celina Huynh – 5th Pharmacology: Maanasa Bandi – 8th Dental Science: Dea Ellis – 6th, Vihaan Patel – 8th CPR/First Aid: Divyesh Parthiban & Nikhil Bondalakunta - 5th; Eileen Zhang & Abhilasha Salunia – 7th

This past weekend, Samantha Egger came in first place at the PETZINGER HONORED State Leadership Conference in Clinical Nursing. She will move on to compete at the International Leadership Conference in Congrats to Sydney Petzinger, our 2x State June. Wrestling Champion, for representing Par High at the New Jersey National Girl & Women in Also, 39 of our HOSA members participated in a virtual CPR Sports Day 2021 Celebration! training involving donated mannequins through MedicZero. The training took place virtually where members and families were trained by experts from Rutgers University.

CHOIR SINGERS EARN ACCOLADES

The PHS Choir has had a busy few months and we’re so proud of our students’ accomplishments! We have had three separate opportunities that several members auditioned for, were accepted into, and participated in including:

The All Eastern Honors Choir: Chloe Budd and Joe Tremitiedi The Morris Area Honor Choir: Chloe Budd - Soprano 1 (ranked 2nd for her voice part) Jake Matheis - Tenor 2 Anna deLaar - Soprano 1 Fernando Corona - Bass 2 Liz Cogan - Soprano 2 (ranked 4th for her voice part) Camryne Aboagye - Soprano 2 Stephanie Wilson - Soprano 2 (ranked 9th for her voice part) Maya Lerner - Alto 1 Ashley Estrada - Alto 1 Jasmine Bollack - Alto 1 Julia Bruggeman - Alto 2 Arts NJ Vocal Competition: Sarah Lepre – Gold Joe Tremitiedi – Gold Chloe Budd – Silver Myesha Ali – Silver Stephanie Wilson – Bronze Karmina Wall – Bronze Abigail Collins - Honorable Mention

In addition to the virtual winter concert we performed in December, students are also preparing for their virtual Cabaret Concert which will premiere at the end of March. This concert will feature soloists, as well as a couple of choir pieces. We are extremely excited about this performance, as well as the opportunities we will have for the remainder of the year!

FBLA REGIONAL RESULTS BAND NEWS & HONORS Congrats to our talented FBLA members who placed at their Regional Competition this winter: The PHS Band students have had an active past few months! Since we aren't able to hold any indoor concerts right now, all Sanjana Ramaswamy- Advertising, 2nd of our Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students have Stuti Shah- Advertising, 5th been working hard at putting together performances for our Landon Weiss- Business Communication, 3rd annual Solo & Small Ensemble Concert (usually scheduled Swara Shah- Business Communication, 8th for June). We decided that in honor of Music in our Schools Divya Patel- Computer Applications, 2nd Month, we would create a virtual recital so we can still Ryan Melluse- Computer Applications, 5th perform music for the entire Parsippany community. Keep an Ronak Vaghela- Computer Problem Solving, 2nd eye on our PHS Bands Twitter account Venkata Tanguturu- Computer Problem Solving, 3rd (@PHSbands), www.PHSbands.com, or Video on the Go for Mohammad Siddiqi- Computer Problem Solving, 4th the release date and link (coming soon!). The PHS Jazz Urja Patel- Introduction to Business, 8th Ensemble is in full swing and has been holding weekly virtual Riddhi Vyas- Health Care Administration, 4th rehearsals. Once the weather gets a little warmer we will be Rahul Patel- Health Care Management, 5th holding socially distant, in-person, outdoor rehearsals. Payal Vaghela, Ella He, Nisha Patel- Hospitality and Event Management (group event),1st Congratulations are in order for senior Abby Bresalier, junior Myesha Ali- Organizational Leadership, 4th Rebecca Hsiao, and senior Fióna Celli for being selected Kenneth Johnson- Personal Finance, 7th as Music Students of the Month for the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown for Outstanding Wind Player, Outstanding Pianist, and Outstanding Percussionist respectively. We are very proud of these students for their musical achievements!

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FINALISTS GUIDANCE NEWS!!! ANNOUNCED

The college search and application process for the Congratulations to the following Governor’s School Finalists Class of 2021 has been unique to say the least! from PHS: Nisha Patel for the Sciences at Drew University Searching, applying and getting your decision amidst and Olivia Chou for Engineering and Technology at Rutgers the pandemic has certainly given our Seniors a University. Their applications made it through the rigorous different experience. With nearly every school going high school selection process and now they are on their way test optional for seniors, college admissions across the to the individual colleges in which each Governor’s School nation has looked very different. The nation has seen is housed. If selected, they will be considered Governor’s a record number of Early Decision applications, Scholars and attend the prestigious 3-4 week Governor’s especially to the most competitive schools and School program with approximately 90 other students from conversely increased acceptance rates at smaller, less around the state. Congratulations again to Nisha and Olivia! We look forward to hearing even more good news in competitive schools. At Par High 75% of our seniors April! have submitted at least one college

application. Admissions decisions will really start PEER LEADERS UPDATE rolling as we come into the spring season. We look Over the last two months, the Peer Leaders have met with forward to hearing where our Redhawks will be three of the elementary schools in the district during their heading in the fall. Remember, there are many lunch break to discuss good decision-making and schools that will be a great fit, provide a great appropriate use of Chromebooks to 4th & 5th graders. The experience and a great education. Take your Peer Leaders are a group of seniors and juniors here at admissions decisions in stride and don't look back! Parsippany High School who care very deeply about the Any student that is still unsure about their plans for well-being and academic growth of the students in the after graduation, please reach out to your counselor. district. Led by Varshini Chennupati (Founder of the Project), Yukta Nyati (Co-Founder), Snigda Nadella, Eileen Juniors! This is your time to begin the college search Zhang, Sajjad Nazari, Clayton Bernauer, Jacob Meth, and process, if you have not already done so. We are here Samman Pandey, the group began meeting last year in hopes to help. Individual college planning meetings are of creating a live presentation for the elementary school available to all junior parents and students. students. Although the pandemic prevented an in-person presentation, the members of the team quickly adjusted and WINTER GUARD created an amazing virtual presentation! WORKING HARD During their presentations, the group shows a pre-recorded The PHS Winter Guard is having a skit of various scenarios students may find themselves in blast singing and dancing along to while using technology in and outside of school such as time their 2021 show! All while management, plagiarism, and cyberbullying. After each remaining socially distant, we are scenario, the Peer Leaders have sparked meaningful learning and improving new conversations with younger students about good and bad skills. We also are participating in choices that can be made, often sharing their personal virtual competitions along the experiences with the 4th & 5th graders. The response from way! Despite the tough times, the elementary students has been incredible, and word has everyone has enjoyed coming to spread throughout the elementary schools, thanks to the hard practice and working as a work by Ms. Doyle and the guidance counselors in the team. We look forward to more district. Currently, the Peer Leaders are in the process of virtual competitions in the Spring. scheduling more presentations this month!

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD A great service Science Olympiad is entering a busy and opportunity run exciting time of the year. We are organizing by a PHS alum! a district-wide Science Fair competition Go to that will be open to grades 5-8. The Science “boontonreservo Fair will also feature contributions from ircleanup” on PHS students that will highlight a variety of Instragram to fun and intriguing scientific phenomena. get details. From April 15- 18, Science Olympiad will be competing in the State Tournament which will be held virtually.

SCIENCE LEAGUE!

A new addition to PHS... students participate by taking tests in the science discipline of their choice (such as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, in multiple difficulty levels) to compete against other schools and show off their science 'smarts'. Each subject has a high scorer and their collective scores are added together to earn total points for the school. This year, we are only competing against Parsippany Hills High School due to the quarantine, and unfortunately, they are pulling ahead. We still have a chance, though, as there are a couple more rounds remaining. If interested, email Ms. Chowtavi for more information.

ASIAN AMERICAN CLUB

Please join the AAC in our call to END AAPI HATE. We're asking that you post Instagram messages to combat AAPI Hate, and tag us in it. In the wake of this month's Atlanta shootings, let's unite in positivity and a celebration of the contributions of Asians. More information will be coming out soon. AAC members are also looking forward to releasing our BIG SHOW via video on Friday, 4/16! We ask that you please use the link that will be posted to make a donation to Operation Smile to support a worthy cause. As always, everyone is welcome to join the club via our GC page, code 7cmy7ew. :)

STEM PATHWAYS A new STEM pathways program began at PHS this ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB year. Enrolled students have had the opportunity to explore their interest in STEM through various The Environmental Club is part of the new STEM presentations this year. Students have heard from: initiative. The Club’s President Savanna Beinert • Cybersecurity Experts at the NJ Office of along with Vice President Mahi Patel and secretary Homeland Security Jake Matheis held an environmental awareness • Bayer Pharmaceuticals meeting by showing and discussing the video “Here’s • Meteorologists ffrom the National Weather Why The Melting Arctic Should Matter to Us All”. Service The club is comprised of over 30 members. • Women PHS Alumna about their experiences in Mrs. Laura McCluskey, the Chairperson of the STEM careers Parsippany’s Advisory Committee, was a guest • Astronaut Garrett Reisman (former PHS grad) speaker who presented a slogan contest on the importance of banning the use of plastic bags. The Up next will be a presentation on the medical creative slogans are on display at Parsippany’s Main field! Students are also working on impact projects to Library on Halsey Road. improve our community. Mrs. Garbarino and Mrs. Lennon are the advisors, and virtually hold meetings every other Thursday.

FACULTY READING CHALLENGE

Faculty and staff shared their favorite books with students for a reading challenge. Any student who reads one of the books (all or part of) will be entered into a drawing with significantly high odds of winning a treat of choice delivered to your house by Dr. Mulroony. There is still time.