HACKENSACK HIGH SCHOOL

“TALES OF THE COMET”

VOL. I NOVEMBER 2005

DID YOU KNOW:

…..Interact and NHS collected a truck load of clothes to donate to a staff member’s family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The Hackensack High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams raised approximately $1,000 for shipping.

…..The Department of World Languages is extremely proud to announce that one of our 2005 graduates has won a $1,000. Scholarship based on an essay she wrote as part of her AP Spanish class. Megan Gonzalez was one of only 44 students throughout the entire country to be selected as a winner. Her Spanish teacher was Mr. Omar Mirabal.

…..On September 26, Mrs. Regine Kopec, a French teacher from Paris, visited Mrs. Natale’s French II and III classes. Students from both classes enjoyed a full period conversation in French with Mrs. Kopec. They asked questions (in French, of course) regarding ways of life in France and similarities with their French teenage counterparts. They were surprised to learn that their French peers admire everything American, such as eating Kellog’s Corn Flakes, etc. While Mrs. Kopec was impressed with the capability of our students to converse in good French, our students are looking forward to Mrs. Kopec’s return in the near future.

…..Two new teachers have joined the World Languages Department. Mrs. Edvane Colacino is now teaching our Pre AP Spanish III classes, and Ms. Soraya Gonzalez, a former student and member of the Board of Education, is teaching Spanish for Spanish Speakers.

…..The Latino Club has begun the year and is planning a very active and positive contribution to both the school and the community. To begin, they will hold their first dance on Friday, October 21. Mrs. Betina Mauriello, Mr. Julio Morel, and Mrs. Kathryn Mantineo have been meeting to plan what they hope will be another very successful year.

…..Mrs. Mauriello will be taking her Bilingual History classes on a visit to the Amish country in late October so her students can see, learn, and appreciate other lifestyles.

…..Mr. Mirabal is planning a trip to Argentina and Uruguay over the February break. Although this trip is limited to Hackensack teachers, our students will be able to share the fruits of their teachers’ experiences when they return to Hackensack and share what they have learned and seen with their students.

…..Last spring vacation Mr. Petrocelli took a group of 30 students to Italy. The 10 day excursion gave everyone the opportunity to enjoy Italian gelato, take a ride on a gondola and visit the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. The trip began in Venice included Florence, Pisa, Assisi, the isle of Capri and culminated in the Eternal City of Rome.

…..This past summer, the Hackensack High School Art Department had two of its students selected to participate in the prestigious New Jersey Governor’s School Program. Only twenty students from the state were selected through a rigorous portfolio review and interview process. Being selected is a tremendous honor and we are very proud of both Fernanda Fajardo and Bradley Haymes for representing the art department and distinguishing Hackensack High School as a leader in the Arts. We look forward to supporting our strong junior class artists to take part in the 2006 competition.

…..The E.T. Marlatt Chaper of the National Honor Society, our local chapter, held their fall induction ceremony on Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hackensack High School auditorium. Chief Zisa addressed the inductees and current members on the virtues upon which admission is based, namely scholarship, altruistic service, character and leadership. The Honor Society at Hackensack High School was founded during the 1923-1924 school year by then Principal, Edward T. Marlatt. It became affiliated with the National Honor Society in 1955. To attain membership, students must have a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.3 (i.e. 85%) and possess high standards of service, character and leadership. Members of the Junior and Senior classes were evaluated by the faculty council as to their fulfillment of the requirements for admission. Current membership of the chapter is composed of 13 seniors and this induction raised the total number to 21, 18 seniors and three juniors. The new members are: John Espinoza, Jackie Fulop, Brittany Johnson, Mindi Kantor, Sarah Peterson, Kristin Terzo, Allison Swatek, and Na-Lee Yoon.

…..As of October 19^th, the Hackensack Lady Comets Volleyball Team had a 13-8 record, raising the program total to within 2 wins of 500. The Lady Comets will be only the fourth team in Bergen County and the seventh team in the State of New Jersey to reach the 500 win plateau. This year’s team includes senior captains Briana MacDonald, Kristin Terzo, Ashley Budinic and Jillian Landau. Other team members include seniors Rose Beljour, Kayla Piro, Consandria Walker, juniors Stephanie Ramirez, Shaniece Praylow, Anjanette Perez, Keithleen Ocampo, sophomores Alissa Sasso, Victoria Cumberbatch, Juliana Campiglia, and freshman Lucero Silva.

…..Hackensack High School, in conjunction with the Hackensack University Medical Center, raised over $20,000 to benefit “Skyward, Infinite Ways of Kids Helping Kids.” This organization was founded by Jonathan Garrett, a senior from Morristown High School, and Nicholas Boscamp, a junior from Dwight Englewood High School. Skyward is designed to help the pediatric patients from the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, the new pediatrics hospital, destined to be one of the best in the country. Many of the Hackensack High School students were directly involved in this joint venture. Marc Guzman, Frank Chinga, and Consandria Walker were committee members from the beginning and were extremely helpful in raising money and planning the walk-a-thon. Look for future events with the Hackensack University Medical Center. We are now partners!