Monthly Archives: March 2022
We Will Miss You Graz!
Cameron Babcock, Veritas Sports Editor
In April, Rockland athletic director Gary Graziano will be retiring. He started working at Rockland High School on March 1st, 1998. and served as our athletic director for 19 years, starting in 2004.
Taking his place as athletic director is varsity soccer coach and teacher in the high school transitions program, Dan Kimball.
Mr. Graziano will be retiring on April 14. His last day as AD is today, March 31. Mr. Kimball will be taking the position on April 1.
Dr. Harrison said in his March newsletter, “…Mr. Graziano has been a fixture as a guidance counselor, coach, and most recently, an athletic director. He has certainly left his mark in our community, raising the standard for our athletic programs.”
Principal Harrison also expressed his feelings about Mr. Kimball’s appointment as the new AD: “I have complete confidence Mr. Kimball will do an exceptional job in this new role!”
Undoubtedly, students and teachers are going to miss their athletic director after working and experiencing history with him over the years. Even students that haven’t been able to experience the full scale of high school and sports alongside Graz are sad that he is leaving. Sophomore and three sport athlete Jacob Comman explained, “Personally, I loved Graz being the athletic director through my first two years of high school. I’ll miss how involved Graz is, his closeness with the students, and his humor. Overall, my experience with Graz has been awesome.”
Mr. Graziano was recently inducted into the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also an honorary member of the National Honor Society at RHS. And he’s even been the King!
The Veritas’ complete interview with Mr. Graziano about his retirement and his memories at RHS and more reactions from students and staff will be published in our next edition.
Here’s an article that was in the Enterprise this week about Graz.
Freshman Regan Glennon Is Our Winner!
March 30, 2022
Freshman Regan Glennon is the winner of the Veritas’ contest to name the 20 teachers at Rockland High School who are alumni of RHS.
Regan can come down to Mr. Murphy’s office at WRPS Wednesday or Friday to pick up her Chipotle gift card!
Congratulations to Regan!
Here are the teachers submitted by Regan.
Mr. Liquori – math
Ms. Penney – social studies
Mr. Novio – science/substitute
Mr. Casagrande – math
Mr. Anzalone – math
Mrs. Mulready -math
Mr. Damon – Dean/math
Ms. Cahill – English
Mr. Kimball – English / AD
Mrs. Newcomb – Phys. Ed
Mrs. McGonnigal – Special Ed
Ms. McKenna – Social Studies
Mr. Peter Harrison – Science
Mr. Rowe – Social Studies
Mr. Doyle – Phys. Ed
Mrs. Phelps – Health
Mr. Graziano – Athletic Director
Ms. Lannin-Cotton – Journalism
Ms. Paulding – Asst. Principal
Ms. Medeiros – Art
Here is the story that appeared in the March Veritas print edition with interviews with three of these alumni/teachers.
Shannon Gustin, Veritas Features Editor
Over the years many teachers who attended RHS have returned to pass on their legacy as teachers and inspirations to many.
The high school has changed since many of these students graduated, from the new building to new subjects being taught.
One teacher that returned to Rockland High is social studies teacher Kara Penney. She graduated from Rockland High School in 2015.
“My high school experience had some ups and downs and it was all the teachers at RHS that my friends and I could rely on to help us. I am still very appreciative for all the support RHS teachers gave me and my friends,” said Ms. Penney.
Over the seven years since she graduated from RHS, many things have changed. “There have been a lot more state championship games and victories than when I was in high school!”
She continued, “In all seriousness, RHS offers a lot more opportunities for classes and preparing for what happens when you graduate as long as you take advantage of the opportunities.”
Returning to teach history, she says, “Since I got to high school I loved history class; my dream was always to teach at RHS. But I also want to give back to a community that has given me so much. I am very proud to be from this town.”
Substitute teacher and AP Biology teacher Richard Novio attended RHS seven years ago. When he attended RHS he had teachers that are still teaching here today such as Mr. Bigsby, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Casagrande.
But he says, since 2011, the school has changed a lot. “The best way I can describe it is taking a time machine back in time, but something broke and it’s some alternate timeline.”
He went on to explain, “A lot of the school is exactly as it was ten years ago, including most of the staff, but there are just some newer concrete blocks holding the building up, and a little better technology.”
He says, “When I went to RHS, I decided I wanted to be a teacher after one of the few classes I had with Bigsby, where something just clicked and I thought I would love to make that kind of impact on someone and also be able to share my love of English with others; and after some strange luck, I ended up teaching AP Biology once Mrs. Armstrong left.
He then went on to say, “Now that I am here, I couldn’t be happier. It’s great to be part of where I grew up and see a difference in people, and also see the huge strides Rockland has come to make this school a better and more inclusive environment than it was ten years ago.”
Another teacher that has returned to RHS to teach is Nick Liquori of the math department. He graduated from RHS in 1995.
“I very much enjoyed my experience at RHS. I participated in football, basketball and baseball. None of the teachers that I had in school are here, now…though I do have former classmates that are now colleagues.”
Since 1995, Mr. Liquori says, “RHS has changed quite a bit. [There are] many changes due to the new middle school, but some classes were either reduced or combined with other classrooms. Locker room locations also have changed.”
After he graduated from high school and college, Mr. Liquori did not take a direct path back to RHS. He began working in the financial field. But his work in the community led him back to RHS. “I decided to become a teacher because I was coaching youth sports and I enjoyed the teaching aspect.” As everyone knows, Mr. Liquori is now the head football coach at RHS.
Overall, 20 alumni who attended RHS when they were younger have come back and are teaching at the high school they went to right now.
Here’s a few photos of alumni/teachers that we had on file!
Shrek the Musical Opens Friday Night
Ngan Nguyen, For the Veritas
March 23, 2022
At 7 p.m. on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, the students of Rockland High School are presenting a performance: Shrek the Musical!
Throughout the show, you will laugh, smile, and may even be a part of our show. The cast members are constantly learning, reviewing, and improving their choreography, steps, and songs.
Everyone has tirelessly worked for months to make the performance fun and enjoyable. The cast of Shrek are very excited to be able to put on a Spring Musical for everyone.
In addition to individual roles and performers, there are mulitple ensemble roles which has given many students an opportunity to be a part of this fun show.
Tri Nguyen and McKenna Maher are playing Shrek and Fiona. Come to the show to see who else will be playing the other roles!
Both shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on-line at Freshtix.com.
Mr. Bergman, the director of the musical said, “Rehearsals are going well. Only one week until showtime!”
Girls Basketball Team Goes for State Championship Tomorrow at 5:30
March 17, 2022
How many schools have two teams winning a State Championship in one year!
That could happen tomorrow night as the Girls Basketball Team hopes to equal the football team’s Super Bowl victory in December by winning the Division 3 crown tomorrow night at Lowell’s Tsongas Arena when they take on St. Mary’s of Lynn.
The girls have had a great playoff run with three home victories (Cardinal Spellman, Bishop Stang, Dover-Sherborn) and Tuesday night’s Final Four win over Medway by a score of 48-22.
Now in the State Finals they will play St. Mary’s Spartans. Rockland is familiar with St. Mary’s as they played them in March, 2020 in the Eastern Mass Finals at TD Garden. The Dogs were not on the winning end then, but this year everyone in Bulldog Nation will be rooting for the Bulldogs to capture their second Division 3 crown in girls basketball in 22 years.
The game is at 5:30 pm and tickets for this game can be purchased at the door or on-line. Let’s support the girls. Navy is the color for the game, and loud will be the volume of the cheers from our student section!
Here’s the link to buy your tickets on-line. https://tsongascenter.com/event/miaa-basketball/84
Girls Basketball Team Enters Elite Territory
March 10, 2022
With wins over Cardinal Spellman last Friday night (60-33), and Bishop Stang on Tuesday, March 8, (63-42) the Dogs have risen to the final 8 teams left in the Division.
On Friday night March 11, because of their ranking as #4 they will get to be home again against #5 Dover-Sherborn.
A win on Friday will put them in the Division 3 final four for a game to be played at a neutral site.
First, they will need to once again have their home crowd behind them on Friday. The fans have been great and not having to wear masks, they have been louder than ever! Not since the girls tournament in March 2020 have fans been able to go maskless, and it’s a welcome experience to see and hear them cheering in full volume!!
Leading the way for the girls will be seniors Julia Elie, the team’s leading scorer and Maddie Murphy. Also, playing supporting roles will be seniors Carolayne Lage and Jordan Stec.
Rounding out the girls line-up are juniors Sydney Blaney, Maddie Hermenau, Emma Cameron, and Charlie Kelleher and sophomores Maggie Elie who will direct the offense and Sophie Levy.
Tickets to this game must be bought ahead of time on
https://gofan.co/app/events/577053?schoolId=MA14704
Coach Newcomb has said that the girls’ tournament run is “what it’s all about.” Don’t miss it!
For more about the girls team and their season you can go to: https://ladydogsbasketball.wordpress.com
Good Luck to Hockey Team Today
March 2, 2022
Cameron Babcock, Veritas Sports Editor
The Rockland High School Hockey team opens up tournament play today at Nantucket with a 2 pm game. The Dogs earned their place in the tournament with a record of 8 wins and 11 losses. However, with power rankings the Dogs landed in the #22 spot earning their match-up with #11 Nantucket.
Coach Murphy explained, “The season has gone expected in my eyes with how difficult our schedule has been. I knew it was going to be challenging for the players and the coaches, getting used to each other, adapting to a different playing/coaching style and changing the overall team aspects.” He then followed by saying, “We are really starting to gel as a team, play a style that fits our talent and getting ready to make some noise in the tournament.”
The game starts at 2 PM and the Hyannis ferry leaves at 11:55 AM today to Nantucket where after a bus will take people to the game.
Here’s a good explanation of how the team’s season went from Jim Clark’s Hockey Night in Boston D4 preview:
#22 Rockland (8-11-0)
First-year coach Stephen Murphy was encouraged that the Bulldogs’ tough schedule played dividends in allowing the team to qualify for the postseason.
Senior captain Jake Higgins has been a solid two-way player and leads the team with 25 points. Junior Joey Salamone has a team-high 10 goals, and Ben Romer (14 points) had a solid freshman season. Senior captain John Henry and junior Shane Kimball are other key contributors.
Juniors Sean Geary (captain) and Logan Murphy (15 points) have helped drive the offense from the back end, and junior Chris Fuller has been another solid player on the blue line in front of junior goalie Joey Dow (3.05 GAA).
“When we are on our game we are playing a fast game, controlling the pace and having fun playing the game,” Murphy said.
If the Dogs get by Nantucket they may be taking on another island opponent, as they would play the winner of Martha’s Vineyard, #6, and Monomoy, #27.
Good luck to the Dogs!
Here’s the tournament bracket.
Here’s some great photos taken by Chrissy D’Olympio. Lots more on Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DogsHockey/
Student Government Participates in Polar Plunge
Ava Hagan , Lily O’Connel, Corine Medford, Ngan Nguyen, Madison Smith
March 1, 2022
According to Student Government Adviser, Kirsten Bartoloni, eight Rockland High School Student Council members braved the elements and plunged into the ocean on February 26th. Students attended the Polar Plunge event at Nantasket beach to raise awareness and raise money for Special Olympic programs. Several area schools took part.
This has been a long standing tradition that is sponsored by the Special Olympics of Massachusetts (SOMA). It was put on hold last year with the pandemic. The RHS kids pictured above were among the hundreds of plungers on Saturday. They collectively raised $440 for the cause! The Nantasket Plunge raised a total of almost $140,000!
Polar Plunges are held in several locations.
Congratulations to the students in their efforts to support Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
THE VERITAS 