northwest passages

JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT “WHERE YOU KNOW THAT YOU BELONG” Discipulus Virdis By Emma Schumaker ’19

Here Northwest Catholic’s favorite “Green Student” embodies the spirit of at Northwest Catholic. Green participates in many holiday fes- tivities with students as he pops into instrumental and choral music rehearsal, the HILL class poinset- tia sale, and the Christmas prayer service. Green even gives the students of NWC a Christmas pres- ent...their new mascot!

Make sure to follow the NWC Passages run Insta- gram account @humans_of_nwc to see the winning mascot sketch featured in the near future!

Student Art Spotlight IAN D’ARCANGELO ’16 IAN D’ARCANGELO ABBY HERRON ’16 HERRON ABBY

Pictured above is a mixed media piece done by Erin “The Journey of the Wise Men” by Ian D’Arcangelo ’16, featured Feeney ’16, displayed at the Northwest Catholic Art on the Northwest Catholic Christmas Concert program. Show on December 15. ABBY HERRON ’16 HERRON ABBY JULIA CHRISTOLINI ’16 CHRISTOLINI JULIA

The painting above, featured in the December 15 Art Show, was This pottery piece was created by Rebecca Molin ’16, created by Erika Peterson ’16. and was featured in the Art Show. passages

JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT news 2 Northwest Catholic Music Department Shines

he Northwest Catholic Music Department, led by Mr. Daniel Avery ’97, Director of Choral Stud- ies, Mr. Daniel Luddy ’03, Director of Instrumental Music, Ms. Katalin Viszmeg, Director of T Strings, Mr. Richard Shonty, Associate Director of Instrumental Music, presented a Christmas Concert on December 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Richard Rice Auditorium. Chamber Choir began the night with “Carols Around” and “Merry Christmas, Darling”. Then Jazz Ensemble played “Cha- meleon” and “A Jazzy Christmas Medley” for the audience. Women’s Choir was on next, playing “This Little Babe”, “Christmas Star” featuring the Honors String Ensemble, and “Go Where I Send Thee”. The Combined String Ensemble continued with “A Christmas Symphony”. Next, Honors String En- semble performed “All is Well” as well as “Carole of the Bells/Greensleeves”. Concert Choir presented “Do You Hear What I Hear”, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, and “Adeste Fideles” with the Honors String Ensemble. The finale before the intermission was courtesy of the Big Band playing “The Little Drummer Boy” and “The Mudbug Strut”. The Concert Band presented pieces like “The Spirit of an Eagle” and “Joy”. The Jazz Singers performed “Holly Jolly Christmas”, “A Child is Born”, and “Deck the Halls”. The Wind Ensemble rounded the set list out with “Galop”, and “Fortress”. KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY SARA AVERY

Pictured above is the finale of the December 17 Christmas The Northwest Catholic Big Band was featured as they performance. The finale, “A Christmas Festival”, by Leroy played both a Christmas song, and a “ style” Anderson, featured all of the Northwest Catholic music jazz song. Pictured above are instrumentalists Kevin Ke- groups and choirs, directed by Mr. Daniel Luddy ’03 and arns ’16, Justin Lam ’18, Christopher Raymond ’18, Dylan Mr. Daniel Avery ’97. The audience favorite is a mashup Rispoli ’18, John Dudley ’17, Samuel Spak ’16, and Will of many traditional favorite Christmas carols, including Moustakakis ’16, performing during the in-school concert “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells”. held on December 23. KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY

The Northwest Catholic Wind Ensemble, a hon- The Northwest Catholic Jazz Ensemble, Northwest’s ors music class that meets during the school day, second jazz group, brought Christmas spirit with prepared dilegently and wowed audience members their “Jazzy Christmas Medley” arranged by Ken with their dramatic wind band pieces, directed by Clark. Pictured above are Brendan Chan ’19, Ethan Mr. Daniel Luddy ’03. Above, Mary Budnick ’16 Cheffer ’19, Hannah Paszczuk ’19, Samuel Deveau ’19, and Kennedy O’Hara ’17 are shown playing the Michael Foster ’19, Loren Davis ’19, Alex Kanya ’18, flute on December 23. Kaleb Kristo ’19, Justin Rivera ’18, Michael Stamm ’19, Matthew Villani ’19, Declan Kiley ’17, and John- ny Collas ’19, as directed by Mr. Richard Shonty. passages

News JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT 3 Northwest Catholic Music Department Shines Con’t ABBY HERRON ’16 HERRON ABBY ABBY HERRON ’16 HERRON ABBY

Natiel Cooper ’18, Jake Bodin ’19, Collin Crowshaw Choir members Damian Mackay-Morgan ’17, Emily ’19, Vaniah Delancy ’16, Chyanne Gordon ’17, Nicole Driscoll ’17, Megan Grandell ’16, Dennis Tan ’17, Mcfarlane ’19 Tailanae Brantley ’19, Kayla Walton Kelly Galeota ’17, and Jessica Follo ’18 perform dur- ’17, Shirley Love ’19, and Keily Murillo ’19 perform ing the in school concert on December 23 under the during NWC’s Christmas Concert. direction of Mr. Daniel Avery ’97. ABBY HERRON ’16 HERRON ABBY ’16 HERRON ABBY

The Jazz Choir, a selective group requiring an audi- Allyson Voelker ’17, Lauren Mangine ’16, Claire tion for acceptance, performs at the in school concert Nicholas ’17, Claire Hurtado ’16, Vaniah Delancy ’16, on December 23. The group is advised by Mr. Daniel Christal Riley ’16, Elizabeth D’Arcangelo ’18, Kath- Avery ’97. Pictured are members Kevin Kearns ’16, erine Mullen ’17, Lauren Orsini ’17, Taylor Jordan- David Ogbonna ’17, James Sullivan ’18, John Sullivan Blue ’16, the members of the Women’s Choir, directed ’18, Daniel Ogbonna ’18, Allyson Voelker ’17, Lauren by Mr. Daniel Avery ’97, perform on December 23. Mangine ’16, Emily Driscoll ’17, and Gia Fenton ’17.

Dance Recital On Wednesday December 23th, many of the NWC dancers performed in an in school Christmas celebration, directed by Miss Kerri Smith. The performance opened with a dance choreographed to “Walking in Memphis”, featuring the whole company. Then they per- formed to the song “Silent Night” with a solo by Mary Papandrea ’16. They continued to show their skill by dancing to the song “I’ll Be Home” with a solo by Alicia Moran ’16. Intro to Dance finished with a finale to the “Christmas Can Can”. Dance Repertory also performed a number to “Mowtown Christmas”, a medly of Christmas favorites. KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY Sophie Argay ’19, Hope Moustakakis ’19, Jacquelyn Megan Kaake ’17 is held in an impressive lift during Collas ’16, Jessica Nunez ’17, and Megan Kaake ’17 the moving performance, “Walking in Memphis” perform the “Christmas Can Can”. passages

JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT News 4 The HILL Class One Step Closer to Germany ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY ‘16 HERRON ABBY

This fall, members of the HILL Class sold poinset- The poinsettia sale raised funds that are divided tias to members of the Northwest Catholic com- among the members of the HILL Class to help pay munity. Pictured here are Timothy O’Donnell ’16, for the students to visit Germany on an educational as well as Jack Carew ’16 on the poinsettia delivery global awareness trip in the spring of 2016. Student date. Ana Mangini ’16 is pictured delivering poinsettias to a buyer. ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY

The poinsettias not only were sold to members of The students handled all aspects of the organiza- the community, but also decorated the halls of tion, sale, delivery and distribution of the poinset- Northwest Catholic, bringing Christmas spirit with tias. Molly Mullen ’16 and Sarah Neubert ’16 are them. Julia Christolini ’16, Molly Mullen ’16, Sarah pictured having some fun on delivery day. Neubert ’16, and Adam Sorrentino ’16 distribute the plants. Spotlight on the ACTS C lass ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY On December 23, the ACTS Class organized and ran Lauren Mangine ’16, a member of the ACTS Class, led a beautiful Christmas prayer service that served as a the school in the Christmas carol “Silent Night” dur- reminder of the true spirit of the season. ing the prayer service.

The Northwest Catholic Passages run Instagram ac- count @humans_of_nwc featured the ACTS Class mem- bers from Monday January 4-Friday January 8 2016. passages

Service JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT 5 The Sophomore Class Runs a Successful Turkey Drive

From November 2-November 19, 2015, the Sophomore Class ran its annual Turkey Drive. The dona- tions provide turkeys for both the Catholic Worker House and Food- share. The winning homeroom of each grade, who raised the most money, won a casual clothes day. The overall winner of the school was Mrs. Curran’s homeroom! Pic- tured at left are Robert Rispoli ’16, Senior class president, and Dylan Rispoli ’18, Sophomore class president, encourage mem- bers of the Northwest Catholic community to donate to help those less fortunate than themselves. KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY

Northwest Catholic Toy Drive Brings Joy to Children KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY

During early December the Freshman class sponsored The Toy Drive continues to be one of the most suc- the annual Toy Drive. The charity of the Northwest cessful events at Northwest Catholic, with every Catholic community helps to provide the Catholic homeroom contributing. Above, Meghan Sisk ’19, Worker House with toys to give to children in need John Allen ’19, and Mrs. Lisa Huston help organize on Christmas. Here, Jimmy Sabia ’19, Freshman the toys for delivery. Class President, carries toys for the drive. passages

JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT Sports 6 Girls’ Ice Hockey Starts Strong NWC Cheerleaders Spread Spirit By Sophia Argay ’19 By Abigail Herron ’16

ne of the most ex- Middletown, the right num- season will run through mid- he 2015-2016 school year skills. We are also doing a lot of condition- citing changes this ber of players and a practice March 2016. As Annie brought a new, spirited cheerlead- ing for endurance, strength, and stamina.” Oyear brought to rink were secured, making Alissi ’19, daughter of Coach Ting team to Northwest Catho- Not only that, but for the first time Northwest Catholic is the the eight year dream an of- John Alissi and a Northwest lic athletics. The cheerleaders are known in several years, the girls will be competing first ever Northwest Catho- ficial reality. Mr. Martorelli, girls’ hockey player, simply for boosting school spirit and reliably at two local competitions. As Coach Ramos lic girls’ ice hockey team. ’03 explained, “Planning puts it, “I am thrilled that supporting athletes from Northwest explains, “We are beginning to work on The girls’ ice hock- the hockey team required Northwest welcomed a girls’ Catholic as well as the opposing teams. their competition routine which includes all ey team has been a desired a lot of work and time. I hockey team and I am look- The captains for this season are elements of cheerleading; stunts, tumbling, addition to Northwest for had to have a lot of conver- ing forward to a great sea- Christal Riley ’16, and Filamena Vukaj ’17. jumps, dance, motions, pyramids, and syn- over eight years but a sig- sations with rinks, schools, son.” The girls this season are very determined, chronicity.The girls and I are excited for the nificant growing interest in a parents, and students. I adaptive, and focused. They are hard at work upcoming competitions. We hope to see team brought the plan to fru- also had to take a close look learning brand new stunting and tumbling some fans cheering for us at the competitions!” ition for this winter season. at cost to be sure it was a skills and they are also working on perfect- The girls are also cheering at all This year an overwhelm- smart move financially.” ing their technique in jumps and motions. home basketball games for the boys and girls ing amount of students ap- Led by head coach Coach Courtney Ramos com- this season. proached Mr. Matthew Mar- John Alissi, girls’ ice hockey ments, “For more than half the team, this is torelli ’03, Athletic Director, team held their inaugural their first season of cheerleading, so we’re re- to request a girls’ hockey practice at Champion’s Skat- ally focusing on building the basic skills with team. By combining efforts ing Center in Cromwell on perfection before progressing to the harder with Mercy High School in November 23, 2015 and the COURTNEY RAMOS COURTNEY Jenny Loveland ’19, Christal Riley ’16, Filamena Vukaj ’17, Pawta Shu ’19, Talia COURTNEY RAMOS COURTNEY Kelly ’19, Maggie Bello ’18, Shania Jenny Loveland ’19, Christal Riley Lapsey ’17, Janelle ’16, Filamena Vukaj ’17, Pawta Shu Rigor ’18, Ashley ’19, Talia Kelly ’19, Maggie Bello ’18, KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY KIMBERLY SPERA KIMBERLY Ponce ’19, Monique Shania Lapsey ’17, Janelle Rigor ’18, Bryan ’17, Keily The girls’ team features Here the girls’ team is Ashley Ponce ’19, Monique Bryan ’17, Murillo ’19, Shir- both Northwest Catholic lined up to start the game. Keily Murillo ’19, Shirley Love ’19, ley Love ’19, Liddy and Mercy High School Liddy Siggia ’19 bring spirit to a bas- Siggia ’19 pose for a students, pictured above. ketball game. group photo. Northwest Catholic Coach Celebrates Milestone

By Abigail Herron ’16

orthwest Catholic Dean of Sports Award is proud to support and finished 7th in USA NMr. John Mira- Today’s America’s Best bello, Northwest Catholic High School Basketball Boys’ Basketball Coach, who Coach contest in 2014. just earned his 500th career He has coached 25 All- coaching win on January 2, State Players, including 2016. The team won against a Gatorade Player of the Hall by a score of 70-45. Year and two Hartford Coach Mirabello Courant Players of the has been bringing North- Year. Coach Mirabello west Catholic Boys’ Bas- is also a member of ketball wins since 1987, the New England Bas- with a record of 500-189 ketball Hall of Fame. for his career. He has also Coach Mira- won four State Champi- bello’s 500th win was onships, 13 regular season also featured on Game- championships, and 14 TimeCt, as well as on league tournament cham- WFSB. He explained to pionships during his coach- the reporter, “To see the ing career at Northwest. list (of the 500-win club), This is not the it really hit me. Just to be first time Coach Mirabello in the conversation with has earned recognition in those guys, so many of the community, either. He them I coached against has received the IAABO’s or even played for”. Walter D. Ackerley Sports- manship Award 8 times, SPERA KIMBERLY was named CT Coach of the Year in 2002, and was a Coach Mirabello poses with past and current Northwest Catholic Boys’ Basketball players finalist for National Coach on January 2 after scoring his 500th win. of the Year in 2013. Mira- bello has also received the passages

SPorts JANUARY 2016 SUPPLEMENT 7 From the ESPN of NWC By Abigail Herron ’16 ABBY HERRON ‘16 HERRON ABBY JULIA CHRISTOLINI ‘16 CHRISTOLINI JULIA

Northwest Catholic Passages Sports Editor, Abigail Herron ’16, met with Mr. Mat- The doors of the Johnson Gym, welcoming the successful Northwest Catho- thew Martorelli ’03, Athletic Director of Northwest Catholic pictured above, to lic athletic teams, are adorned with the Northwest Catholic Athletics logo to discuss the winter sports season. Keep reading to hear his thoughts on Northwest establish an environment of respect, hardwork, and school spirit. Catholic teams and more!

irls’ Ice Hockey: they going to respond after a which is only run in the in- the game by seven. It shows “This year is going to tough loss against a rival, es- door season. Any of the relay their determination and obvi- Gbe a learning year for pecially facing such tough op- races where you get to see the ously their level of skill, but “We’ve been very everyone, for both the school ponents? They faced adversity, true team effort in track and also their heart and ‘never give fortunate to have and the players. It is the first kept their cool, and won it all. field is fun. The track team up’ mentality. It’s easy when time Northwest has had a They’re doing well so far”. had a great invite recently at you are down twelve points great basketball team with another school, so the Wintergreen Invitational. relatively quick in the game to for quite some that’s a pretty monumental A lot of accomplishments and say ‘It’s not our day’, but that’s change for us in more ways “I’m still a loyal stats came out of this invita- not the case with this program. time in the state than one. Bringing in ice Hartford Whalers tional and we had a lot of state It goes to show that they’re a of Connecticut. hockey for the girls allowed qualifiers. At the beginning of great second half team and in Coach Ollie is doing girls who were competing in fan- I wish I could the season, you get to see the sports you want to be a sec- sports not offered here the hear that Brass athletes make the state tour- ond half team because those a fantastic job. chance to play for their high Bonanza one more nament and then throughout are the teams that are going to Coach Calhoun was school. Obviously it’s going the year, they always improve win. The team is off to a great to be challenging, with put- time! If I had to say their times, so that’s very fun start.” here doing his bike- ting lots of people on the ice I would follow an to watch.” a-thon last year, so and competing in a very small oys’ Basketball: A group of schools, so you’re NHL team, it would wimming and Diving: huge accomplishment maybe he sprinkled playing against the best in the be the New York The team competed in Bthis season was Mr. a little dust on state. Our Coach, Coach Alis- Sthe Bulkeley relays right Mirabello’s 500th career win. si, has done a great job getting Rangers, though before winter break and won “Only fourteen people in the us because both them ready for their first game, they’re having a their first regular season meet. state of Connecticut have of our teams are which was an overtime loss, so “The numbers for the program achieved this. Mr. Mirabello they have shown that they can tough season. Mrs. have gone drastically up from is always team first before any- doing very well.”- compete right away. It’s really Huston is probably previous years, so we’re look- body individually, especially Mr. Martorelli ’03 exciting as they get towards the ing forward to seeing the com- himself. It was nice to see later part of the first half, what making all these petition amongst the team. that because it happened to a Last year demonstrated what great guy. A Coach Mirabello they are going to be able to ac- cakes and brownies heerleading: “The people on the team are capable coached program is going complish. I think that they can program has taken a in an effort to of, and pushed individuals. to do very well, so it was no really make a name for them- nice big turn, with selves, playing tough competi- distract herself!” Coming off last year, we’re surprise that it happened the C many underclassmen getting looking forward to a great sea- fourth game of the year. The tion, and do very well.” involved which is fantastic. -Mr. Martorelli ’03 son for the team again.” team had a big win against This year they are looking to oys’ Ice Hockey: “The Farmington, and they have really start to compete in cheer, team came out of the irls’ Basketball: shown that they have it all. As in addition to cheerleading at gate strong with a nice ndoor Track: “My favor- “They have been the year goes on, they are go- B very dominant across sporting events. Now, they are win against Conard. After the ite event to watch is one ing to be that much tougher.” G going to have their own sport- holidays, they struggled against that we are actually just the state, including a big win Mr. Martorelli’s fa- I against Farmington, which ing event, so they’re going to Simsbury, however that was a starting right now- the pole vorite basketball team? The need some cheerleaders as well! great game and many North- vault. They’re practicing and I honestly can’t remember UCONN Huskies of course! I know that they are going to west students came out loud starting to get in a rhythm, the last time we beat them. do a great job performing.” and proud for a home game also in preparation for the At one point in their game at our rink, which was nice to outdoor season. As far as track against Farmington, the girls see. Going to Maine was really events, I really enjoy watch- were down by twelve points, the question mark; how are ing the sprint medley relay, and they came back to win