Danielle Hill comes in first at Poetry Out Loud competition

The following eleven participated in Poetry Out Loud on January 29.  Back, left to right: Alyssa Collins, Brian Leonard, Pearse McNally, Molly Garrity and PJ Butler.  Front: Danielle Hill, Vivian Nguyen, Victoria Pratt, Marina McCauley, Sean Vo and Hannah Millen.

The annual Poetry Out Loud competition was held on Wednesday night Jan. 29 in the lecture hall at the Rockland Middle School.

Mrs. Woodward who coordinated the event said, “I thought it  was fantastic. There was a good group of people; eleven is a wonderful number and a good length for the program. But beyond that every competitor did well. There wasn’t anybody that my heart had to bleed for. There are numerous people that are so strong that I would be happy to go to the semi finals with them!”

After each student recited two poems, one in each of the two rounds, junior Danielle Hill was chosen to be the one that Mrs. Woodward will be taking to the semi-finals on March 2nd in So. Yarmouth.

Danielle recited each of her poems flawlessly and although one judge suggested she project her voice a little more, she was judged to be the winner based on her poise and expressiveness.

Coming in second was PJ Butler, followed by Pearse McNally.  Click on this link to see a photo gallery of some of the performances.

Swim team ends season with success

The RHS swim team swam at Randolph High School yesterday in their final meet of the season. The girls were successful, beating Randolph with a score of 83 to 50, and the boys were defeated 86 to 40. This victory marked the first win for the team this season.

There were a significant number of best times at the meet, particularly those achieved by junior Taylor Reis and senior Kylie Langhoff, who each shaved approximately thirty seconds off their times for the 500 freestyle.

RHS senior swimmer Kayla Frazer photo courtesy of Mrs. Patton

RHS senior Lily Margolis competes against a Silver Lake swimmer. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Patton

The team will continue their practices at the YMCA in Hanover well into February in hopes of improving despite an end to their competition schedule. Practices will conclude after their annual “Bring a Friend to Swim Night” on Tuesday, February 4th, in which swimmers bring interested peers in hopes of sparking increased interest for the sport.

Wrestlers win against Norwell

The 2014 RHS wrestlers: Back row: left to right: Andrew Rowell, Colin Toohey, Mike Ahern, Alec Donegan, Owen Martin, Mitch Vongbandith, row 3: Troy Panico, Brad Gasdia, Pat Sullivan, Aric, Billy Parlee, Christina Howe; Row 2: Matt Martin, Tyler Murphy, Austin Ferullo, Joe Callahan, Pearse McNally, Mike Mignosa; Front row:Coach Tim Brown, Dennis McPeck, Derek Crowe, Bobby Gasdia, Coach Peter Harrington.  photo by Kelley Reale

Submitted by Bobby Gasdia and Pearse McNally

MEET VS NORWELL JAN 23 45-33 W

The Dogs’ wrestling team won a home meet vs Norwell on Saturday morning, Jan. 23. The final score was an impressive 45-33.
Losing their last two meets vs Norwell, the Bulldogs validated their remarkable improvement over the course of the season with key wins from Dennis McPeck, Pearse McNally and Derek Crowe.

Norwell came out strong taking the first two matches in the lightweight classes, but Joe Callahan changed the tempo with his win in the 126 class by points. In the middleweight classes, Mike Ahearn, Owen Martin, and Brad Gasdia suffered tough losses but showed marked improvement in their technique.

From 160 up the Bulldogs saw some phenomenal wrestling, including Matt Martin’s triple overtime win, Pearse, Bobby, and Derek’s first round pins, and Dennis McPeck’s wrestling 90 pounds heavier than his weight, and still winning!

Great job guys!

Derek Crowe

Prom season preparations: How early is too early?

Prom is an event RHS seniors, juniors, and even a select few underclassmen look forward to all year. With junior prom almost four months away and senior prom two weeks after, you’d think there was still a month or so before students began preparing but low and behold, this week sparked the beginning of prom season.

The photos popping up on everyone’s timeline of beautiful dresses can make any prom-going girl feel anxious and rushed, but who has the real advantage here? Sure, their dresses are beautiful and there’s no doubt a huge weight fell off their back when they hung them in their closet, but taking additional time to find the right dress for you is nothing to be ashamed of. Think of it this way, the more you look, the greater chance you have of finding a great deal because let’s face it, you’re more likely to spend a fortune on an impulse buy than when you explore your options.

Although you have time, don’t think there’s no reason to prepare early for prom. Hair and makeup appointments become scarce at local salons, tanning beds become completely booked, and alterations for prom dresses can take a while. My advice? Follow this timeline for prom and you’ll be set for the big event.

Spend February and March searching for the perfect dress. You should find one you love by April. Then, spend April booking appointments and getting a tanning package — these usually last one month so get it one month before the big date. Get everything booked by May. Believe me, once spring comes the last thing you’ll want to do is stress.

Poetry Out Loud on January 29

Last year’s Poetry Out Loud Contest: Chris Carchedi, Mrs. Amy Woodward, Pearse McNally, P. J. Butler, Joseph Palana, Lilly Margolis and Miss Cahill. McNally and Butler will compete again this year along with eight others!

On Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00 in the RHS/RMS Lecture Hall ten students from the high school with be taking part in the annual Poetry Out Loud competition. The following  10 students are reciting the listed poems.

1. Sean Vo: “Falling: the Code” by Li-Young Lee, “Follow thy Fair Sun” by Thomas Campion

2. Vivian Nguyen: “Self-Portrait” by Robert Creeley, “When You Are Old” by Robert Butler Yeats

3. Victoria Pratt: “Early Affection” by George Moses Horton, “The Bad Old Days” by Kenneth Rexroth

4. Danielle Hill: “On Monsieur’s Departure” by Queen Elizabeth I, “The Enigma” by Anne Stevens

5. Pearse McNally: “The Lost Land” by Eavan Boland, “Life in Love” by Robert Browning

6.  Molly Garrity: “Poem about People” by Robert Pinsky, “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats

7. Hannah Millen: “Barter” by Sarah Teasdale, “Silence” by Thomas Hood

8. PJ Butler: “I am offering this poem” by Jimmy Santiago Baca, “Insomnia” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

9. Alyssa Collins: “After working sixty hours again for what reason” by Bob Hicok, “In a London Drawingroom” by George Eliot

 10. Marina McCauley: “The Rose” by Jean Valentine, “Dirge in Woods” by George Meredith

The winner of the contest will go on to the regional contest and compete against winners from other high schools.  According to Mrs. Woodward, director of Rockland’s competition, this is the ninth year that the competition has been held. Judging by the high number of contestants this year, it has grown in popularity each year.  Eight students competed last year and Chris Carchedi won the RHS competition. His performance at the regionals  in South Yarmouth  allowed him to advance in the State finals in Boston. This put RHS back in the finals for the first time since 2010.

Come to the lecture hall on the 29th to see who will follow in his footsteps!

Advice to seniors about FAFSA Night

FAFSA Night for parents is tonight from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the library’s media center. The RHS Guidance Department will assist families in beginning the financial aid process for seniors applying to colleges with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

For parents and students that are completely new to this application (and even for some who have completed it before but may be a little rusty), there is information seniors should give their parents before they leave for this evening’s festivities. For instance, if you have your own savings or checking account, let your parents know how much money you currently have in the bank. Another necessary number your parents may not know is your income. This information is really up to students to find out so scavenge your room for your most recent pay stub to give to your parent for tonight. Believe me, filling out a FAFSA can be extremely stressful for parents and they’d definitely appreciate having a leg-up tonight at the meeting.

My last piece of advice: get your FAFSA in to colleges as soon as possible. The sooner they receive it, the sooner they can award you grants and loans. Remember that the first students to get financial aid are usually the ones who get the most.

Dr. Love is here for you

For the first time in Rockland High School’s history there is one man trying to help the hearts of love struck teens, senior Bobby Gasdia. He has a PhD in romance and wants to answer your questions to make your season of love memorable.

Send your questions to RHSlovedoctor@gmail.com

He will answer questions daily on the RHS Veritas website. Don’t worry your identities will be kept anonymous.  Dr. Love is here for you!