weekly Update 5/24/2024

Dear NCHS Family,

Today, at the Annual New Canaan High School Recognition Assembly, we recognized the accomplishments of over 130 students in the academic disciplines, the arts, athletics, and service to the school and community. Congratulations to all students who received overall achievement awards. These young people have blazed a path for themselves and made New Canaan High School the best school and community. Please click here for the complete list of award recipients.

Senior Internships kicked off on Monday, May 20th, with a workshop on LinkedIn, internship expectations, and workplace harassment. The following day, 300 seniors set off to begin their internships. Click here to see what they have been up to this week!

Senior Internship Fun Facts:

98% participating
62% of internships are located in New Canaan
1/3 of our internship sites are hosted by an alumni, alumni/current parent

2023-2024 Top 5 placement fields:

1st – Education
2nd – Business
3rd – Marketing/Sales
4th – Health Sciences & Marketing/Social Media
5th – Sports Management & Audio/Video Technology and Film

SENIOR PROM:

The senior prom of the Class of 2024 was not just a night to remember; it was an evening that etched itself into the collective memory of all who attended and not just a celebration but a culmination of years of hard work and camaraderie. Following prom, the Class of 2024 attended the post-prom at Waveny House, where a team of devoted parents worked tirelessly to orchestrate an arena of fun. From crafting elaborate backdrops, games, banners, decorating, lighting, food service, and security, their contributions were invaluable. Their hard work and commitment transformed the Waveny House into a haven of splendor, setting the stage for an evening of dreams. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Click here for the Senior Post Prom Video~

On Monday, the NCHS community gathered for the All School Picnic, supported by Student Advocates, Student Coalition, Charity Link, and NCHS Buddies Club. Over lunch from NCHS Food Services, students and staff watched teachers take turns in the dunk tank, enjoyed live music performed by the student band with lead vocals by English teacher Aaron Gallo, and enjoyed various games on Dunning Field. It’s a chance for relaxed socializing, fostering new connections, strengthening old ones, and making lasting memories outside the classroom. Thanks to all who made this day special!

RISING ABOVE CEREMONY:

This week, NCHS celebrated students at our annual Rising Above Ceremony. Teachers nominated and honored Ellie Park, Kailey Marti, Rowan Richey-Elliott, Anna Bragason, and Sarah Martin for their hard work, perseverance, and successes this year!

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY:

On Wednesday, math teacher and National Honor Society Advisor Regina Thompson oversaw the induction ceremony for 131 NCHS National Honor Society students, recognizing their outstanding achievements. These students exemplify scholarship, leadership, service, and character, the core values of this esteemed organization. We honor their commitment to academic excellence, community impact, and unwavering integrity tonight. With Regina’s guidance, we commend and welcome these exceptional individuals into the distinguished fold of the National Honor Society.

This year, the New Canaan High School Music Department revived its chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, which had only been active in the early 1990s. This international honor society celebrates the musical study, academic achievement, leadership, and community service of high school students in the arts. The inaugural induction ceremony occurred on May 22, 2024, in the common room at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, where 16 NCHS juniors and seniors were honored for their success and service to our community and school. Town First Selectman Dionna Carlson and NCHS Assistant Principal Kristi Carreiro joined the families for this special occasion. We are incredibly grateful to be in a community that celebrates the arts. Congratulations to these incredible student musicians!

DEPARTMENT NEWS:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

The physical education department held the annual 9th and 10th grade Volleyball Tournament. 16 class champions competed for the school title, and period 1.1 emerged as champions in a close final game. Congratulations to all who participated!

Winning team members are:

Evie Morales, Sophia Patterson, Adrian Delicata, Bray Mazabras, Connor Dunn and Joe Cerami

SCIENCE:

Students in Honors Biology learn about energy flow through ecosystems as they determine feeding relationships and design and construct a food web.

Students in Biology are showing their successful bacterial transformation – genetically altering E. coli to fluoresce under UV light!

Students in Honors Biology explore energy flow through ecosystems, trophic pyramids, and interspecific interactions.

Students in AP Physics 1 thanked Mr. Reid after their AP Exam.

Students in Environmental Science are designing solar ovens to harness the sun’s radiant energy to cook food—in this case, cookies. Using themes familiar to the course, such as the greenhouse effect, infrared heat, insulation, and renewable energy, students are challenged to make a design that would result in the hottest oven temperatures.

Students in AP Environmental Science set up a lab to test soil microbial activity. Using soil samples from Waveny and class samples, we are testing the rate of soil respiration and how it relates to the carbon cycle, soil formation, and sustainable land use practices.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Mrs. Arastu’s World History I classes traced the fall of civilizations based on their analysis of various civilizations from Jared Diamond’s book “Collapse.” Students built Rube Goldberg machines, showing the causes and effects of each civilization, and then presented their findings to the class to understand the patterns of collapse.

AP United States Government and Politics celebrates their last day before internships with a W(h)ig Party!

VPA:

AP Art students Ben Bognon, Kailey Marti, and Amy Meng have been selected to exhibit their artwork at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. The annual iCREATE Exhibition is a regional juried high school art exhibition from art students in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, providing communities a glimpse into local artistic potential. With over 850 submissions, only about 50 have been selected. The show opens on June 6 and runs through September 8, 2024.

Ben Bognon’s Home is Where The Heart Is

Amy Meng’s School Stress

Kailey Marti’s Nostalgia

Congratulations to all the students nominated to have art on display at the annual Teen Visions Art Show at Sacred Heart University! This showcase is open to art students across all of Fairfield County high schools, and it is an honor to be included. Exhibiting artist include Nina deGuzman, Aubrey Stevenson, Scott Hiraman, Leticya Abdala, Piper Maxey, and Maren McDaniel. A very special shout-out to the following students who won prizes at the show!

Isabelle Kelly, 1st Place in Painting for “Oliver.”