HE HIEFTAIN TMONTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL OAKDALE ,C CT 06370 ISSUE #3 2013 Testing For Success Scholar Athletes By: Colleen Wells The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Test, often referred to as the ‘nation’s report card’, is administered to selected students in grades 4, 8, and 12. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) webpage states that “these grades and ages were chosen because they represent critical junctures in academic achievement.” This year, several Montville High School seniors were selected to take the test which serves as a tool for the government to be able to gauge what the nation’s students know and are capable of accomplishing in mathematics, reading, science, geography, and US history. Students are also tested in other minor areas such as economics. The NCES takes secrecy and Student Athletes Rachael Orbe and Paul Hanrahan security very seriously. According to the NCES webpage, selected students are not By: Mallory Tassone able to see their individual results and Balancing rigorous academics classroom, the court and the field. the chosen schools are not able to see the and a demanding varsity athletic schedule Paul Hanrahan exhibits an exemplary collective scores of their students for the is not an easy task, but MHS seniors record in both his academic and athletic sake of confidentiality. The names of the Rachael Orbe and Paul Hanrahan make careers. Hanrahan is a “coach’s dream,” students chosen to take the test are not the job look easy. Orbe and Hanrahan according to Patrick Kelly, his golf coach publically disclosed. There are measures are this year’s recipients of the CAS- and math teacher. He is well respected by in place to punish individuals who reveal CIAC Scholar Athlete Award. This award teammates and opponents alike. Hanrahan the names of students who took the test. honors one boy and one girl from each is the epitome of a role model for younger Montville High School’s participating high school in Connecticut. students. Despite his many successes, participation in this test is important, Those students recognized must possess he is humble and shows a high level of though it might seem small. In the long exemplary academic and athletic careers maturity. run it is the collective data of many and have high personal standards. Orbe and Hanrahan both were also schools across the country that allows for Recipients of the award possess a great recipients of the ECC Sportsmanship the government to create a better picture level of integrity and self-discipline and Award for basketball and soccer. Both are of today’s high school student, as well as must be a model athlete and student. honors students in the top 2% of the senior the opportunity to improve our country’s Rachael Orbe displays a high level class, and active in the MHS communtity. educational system. of maturity and intelligence, both on the They will attend a banquet where they will An improved system is the goal of court and in the classroom. Orbe is a hard- be recognized for their achievements on NCES and the NAEP. Whether or not the working, committed student athlete who May 5th at the Aqua Turf in Southington, data proves useful toward this end remains demonstrates tremendous effort evident CT. The MHS Chieftain is proud to call to be seen. Better educated students will, both in her schoolwork and her athletic Rachael and Paul our first student editors. in the long run, improve the country as a ability. Derek Wainwright, a teacher and a whole. Students will be better prepared coach of Orbe, stated that he wishes more for competing in the Global Market and students had the same student-scholar for leading the way in politics, science, qualities that Orbe brings with her to the invention and communication. Page 1 THE CHIEFTAIN MHS SPORTS 1st Lacrosse Wins for MHS A Good Season By: Meagan McAdams The girls’ basketball team lost in the quarterfinals against Nortre Dame Fairfield in the state tournament. After a devastating loss to NFA on February 16th, the team was determined to win. Each practice ended with junior Cassidy Bundy saying “Run to the sun,” and “Teamwork makes the dream work.” These quotes became the words that the team lived by. “Run to the sun” inspired the girls to play the state championship game at the Mohegan Sun. Although senior Rachael Orbe was out for the second half of the season with an injury, it did not set the team back. Sophomore Taylor LaVallie stepped up to the role of varsity starter, along with freshman Alex Clemons, who earned The boys Lacrosse team at MHS herself a spot on the varsity team. The team has made it into the State Tournament By: Meagan McAdams multiple times in past years. Montville wins first lacrosse The idea was shot down with the reason This past season had been game! The boys and girls Lacrosse teams of not wanting anything to interfere with tough with many players being injured have won their first games. The girls’ team the baseball team. Izak played lacrosse for at different times; however, they were defeated Woodstock with a score of 16-1. a different team also, in middle school. able to pull through and wins games The boys’ team won 7-5. These were the At the high school level lacrosse with several different lineups. “We are first games for both teams. The students is a popular interest. Parents, Mr. Doherty, definitely good enough to win states,” were ecstatic about the win. Teammates and Ms. Ventresca recognized this and said sophomore and varsity starter Kiah feel that the games were very fair, seeing spoke with the Board of Education, Mr. Strickland. The state tournament carried as Woodstock was also a new team. Sherwin, and all the necessary people to on far into March, causing events like the About 50 students, for the girls get the OK to begin the teams. Izak has dodge ball tournament to be pushed back and boys teams, have signed up to play this hopes for the teams to succeed in not only because the team was still playing. The spring at the high school level. “Everyone winning games, but also giving students team’s first tournament game was against can be coached,” said senior Izak Tibbets, the chance to try a new sport that they Plainville. Having never played this team telling interested students that there is no may not have ever tried otherwise. Izak before, they prepared for what could have experience necessary. The teams looked does not plan on ending his lacrosse been a close game. so promising that companies such as career at MHS. He plans on playing for a The team greatly improved since the USLacrosse First Stick Program had club Lacrosse team at UCONN. the first day. Early in the season they lost donated 24 new sticks, 24 goggles, and Lacrosse field lines are going to to Ledyard in overtime by one basket. goalie gear to the girl’s high school team, be painted on the fields at Camp Oakdale Later, they played Ledyard again and won and one youth team, also Acme Wire for the youth teams. After two or possibly with a big lead. There was no doubt in the and Cascade, donated 24 helmets to the more years, Izak Tibbets hopes for lacrosse girl’s minds that “run to the sun” would be boys high school team. Two years ago, a to become a sport for the high school, and accomplished. Their last game was close senior, Troy Nunes, who played lacrosse the talent is certainly there. and tied almost the entire time. Montville on another town’s team, brought up the fans, The cage, as they call themselves, idea of bringing the sport to Montville. came to the game, cheering until the end. Page 2 THE CHIEFTAIN MHS SPORTS MHS Baseball Begins Another Great Season By: Natalie Bowens Spring has come and baseball is here. with each other just like all guys do.” One The boys have returned from previous of the main reasons they are successful is successful years, and appear to have a because they are so close with one another. solid season ahead of them. They are one Walmsley commented on the newcomers, of the most dominant programs in the area, “The freshmen this year I think are and hold 3 state championships in the past pretty talented; Tommy McDonald, T.T. seven years. The boys will return with a Bowens, and Isaiah Mack are very solid handful of upperclassmen in addition to players.” Montville’s baseball program is talented freshmen. They hope to keep this only going to begin to grow stronger, with year going as well as all the others. the massive amount of young talent. Dominic Walmsley, as he begins There are not very many his fourth year on the team said, “My programs at MHS quite like the baseball expectations on the upcoming season are team. It takes a very special group of kids always high and we always have state and to accomplish what they have done. With ECC championship hope because we’ve high expectations and ambitious goals, always been a good, solid program.” the team holds a record of 5-3, with a But there is more to this team three game stretch into the weekend. The than a bunch of boys who are good team will need three more wins in order to at baseball, “We’re all like brothers” qualify for the state tournament. Walmsley explained, “we joke around MHS Tennis in “Sweet Spot” for Upcoming Season By: Kevin Fitzgerald As spring approaches, Montville Keyen is an exchange student from with tough competition, but strong senior Tennis prepares for an exciting season Germany, who Lefemina claims “is leadership from Corey Lorraine.