SHS Highlights
November 2021 Community Update
#WeAreSparta
Administrative Team:
edward.lazzara@sparta.org
Mr. Shannon Benson - Vice Principal
Mrs. Jamie Barker - Vice Principal
jamie.barker@sparta.org
Dr. Jordana Bradley - Supervisor of College and Career Readiness
Mr. Steve Stoner - Athletic Director
Items of Note:
Staff Member Spotlight:
Mr. Dave De Crescenzi is a dedicated History teacher who goes the extra mile for his students. His efforts are in the best interest of his students at all times. He is involved in many co-curricular activities and organizes many events in order to create the best high school environment all students at SHS.
Students of the Month:
Math - Ashley Louissant is consistently attentive, always willing to ask questions and actively contributes to discussions in Geometry class. More importantly, Ashley is extremely polite, respectful, and willing to assist her peers when working through problems independently. She is truly a pleasure to have in class and should be very proud of the success she has earned so far this year.
Science - Rishma Seerattan is engaged, inquisitive and an active participant in Environmental Science. Her attentiveness and clear dedication to learning propelled her to complete the marking period at the top of her class! Bravo, Rishma!
World Language - Shaelin Murphy is extremely supportive of her peers. She always has a kind word to say to anyone who appears a little down. Additionally, her coach reports that she works hard to make practice an inclusive environment and to make every athlete feel appreciated and important. She cheers for everyone and always has a smile on her face. She's dedicated, enthusiastic, and extremely driven.
History - Yasmina Mohamed is respectful of her classmates and her teacher and has been a leader during class discussions. She shares her own views in addition to asking thought-provoking questions to engage her fellow classmates.
TCC- Nicolas Capeci has excelled in Broadcast 2. He has taken a leadership role and he is an invaluable asset to the team.
Music - Mary DiGuiseppi has always been inclusive to other students in the class. She demonstrates extreme engagement and high character both in class and around the school environment.
Art - Henri Coleman is a strong leader in class and likes to do well. Henri helps others in the class, is creative, and goes above and beyond for all assignments.
Physical Education - Ben Holden displays great sportsmanship and character every day during Physical Education. He encourages others and always puts forth all of his effort. Ben has been a great student and a great help to his teacher.
School Counseling Updates:
The School Counseling Department met with the class of 2025 to introduce Naviance, our College and Career Planning Tool. Students completed the Strengths Explorer Assessment which generates career opportunities based on student responses. Counselors will be meeting individually with Freshmen to review the results, to check-in, and to complete a 4-year plan.
Historically, the term “guidance counselor” was used to reference counselors working within the school system. This role has evolved in the past decade and counselors are now referred to as “school counselors”. As collaborative members of an educational team, school counselors provide comprehensive support to students in many different ways.
Upstanders of the Month:
Holiday Celebrations:
Veteran's Day Ceremony:
- Mayor Quinn
- Lieutenant Pete Litchfield
- Veteran Mr. Scott Rogoff
- Veteran Mr. Jerry Murphy
- Veteran Mr. William Brennan
- Officer Michael Poon
- Student Charlotte Rogoff
- Student Natalie Torres
- SHS Marching Spartans
- SHS Honors Choir
SHS Honors Choir
Natalie Torres
Charlotte Rogoff
Departmental News:
On November 17, AP French students had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session about Home Automation with a French Home Automation Professional in Reims France. Home Automation is one of the many subthemes our AP students need to conquer for the AP Exam. Mr. Lavergne was impressed with their language skills and students were impressed that they were fully understood!
Photography:
Athletic and Co-Curricular Highlights:
Girls Soccer
NJAC All Conference Athletes
First Team: Kate Mazzella, Juliana Dolinski, Abigail Pierson, Ella Collins
Second Team: Uma Kowalski, Abigail Connors, Shauna Ryan
Honorable Mention: Lilli Wiegand
Boys Soccer
NJAC All Conference Athletes
First Team: Jeff Bischoff
Second Team: Dylan Barry
Honorable Mention: Jack Maraziti
Gymnastics
Our gymnastics team placed 3rd at League Championships!
Five athletes qualified for sectionals and two placed in the top 12.
- Karen Maasbach, Jenna Halkyard, Natalie Blaszak and Maelle Moriarty qualified in balance beam.
- Meghan Smith qualified on vault.
- Maelee Moriarty, Natalie Blaszak, and Meghan Smith qualified on floor.
- Maelee Moriarty and Natalie Blaszak qualified on bars.
- Maelee Moriarty brought home 7th on beam and Natalie Blaszak earned 12th on bars.
- Maelee Moriarty earned top honors for All League A Division for first team on floor.
- Natalie Blaszak received 2nd team honors for bars.
- Jenna Halkyard and Ciara Peselli received Honorable Mention.
Football
And special congratulations to Coach Marchiano on hitting his 100th win!
NJAC All Conference
First Team: Luke Szabo, Austen Frattura, Justin Smith, Parker Williamson, Paul Gennat, William Quinn, Brady Doyle
Second Team: Kevin Struble, Nick Doumbe, Joshua Ermeus, Joe Byrnes, Chase Geer, Josh Brancy
Honorable Mention: Jack Cisko
Girls Tennis
The girls tennis team had a successful season. Kelly Groome and Charlotte Putnam were the HWS Doubles Champions and Sarah Bargefrede and Isabella Sportelli were HWS Silver Medal recipients.
First Team: Alexa Matkiwsky
Honorable Mention: Gabby Canzoniero
Cross Country
The girls team raced a tough schedule this year, and every athlete improved their time throughout the season. Ashley Crane finished first in the Lou Fraulo Cross Country Invitational and then placed 5th in the NJAC North 1 Group 2 Sectional race. Ashley advanced to the Group 2 finals in Holmdel, NJ, and finished 22nd overall. She was the first girl to advance since 2014!
NJAC All Conference
First Team: Ashley Crane
Second Team: Shaelin Murphy
Honorable Mention: Eva Hughes
The boys team finished with a record of 4-2, which is the most wins that the team has had since 2013. The varsity team won the Lou Fraulo Invitational, finishing first place out of all large and small schools. This same group of boys also won their first invitational at Garret Mountain as freshmen!
First Team: Anthony Lane
Second Team: Adam Wood
Honorable Mention: Daniel Maher
East Bay Cross Country Championships
(Formally known as Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals)
Girls: Ashley Crane, Kayleigh Simpson, Shaelin Murphy
Boys: Anthony Lane, Dan Maher, Remson Jarrell
Field Hockey
First Team: Norah Monaghan, Sophia Candeloro
Second Team: Casey Coleman, Sofia DiStefano, Allison Hollywood
Honorable Mention: Rachel Leitner
Susses County Team: Norah Monaghan
North Jersey Group 2 Third Team: Norah Monaghan
Volleyball
NJAC All Conference
First Team: Brynn McCurry, Arianna Puleo
Second Team: Payton Sumpson, Aralyn Saulys
Honorable Mention: Emily Smernoff
NJ.Com Best Freshman Volleyball Player: Aralyn Saulys
Cheerleading
Marching Band
Accomplishments
Jefferson HS Competition - 1st Place
Ramsey HS Competition - 1st Place (swept all captions)
Sparta HS Competition - Top Score in Group 2A
Gov. Livingston HS Competition - 2nd Place
Region 10 NY/Metro Area Champions
Atlantic Coast Championships - 3rd Place, Best Percussion
Fall Drama
Comments from our cast:
Shea Harrison
Middletown has been unlike any show I have experienced prior. It’s a difficult show to describe if you haven’t seen it, as it is really just the lives of different people each with their own personal struggles with loneliness, change, and the world around them. On the first read through it seemed a bit weird, but as we continued rehearsing the scenes and acts I started to see where more comedy aspects came through, as well as some more of the thought-provoking meta aspects. I also had an amazing time with the phenomenal cast and crew, many of whom I have known for years and several new people whom I look forward to working with in the future. As I am writing this opening night is a few days away, but I know we’re gonna crush it!
Julia Kadar
Being a part of the Middletown production has been so special for me. Working with these new people and this team in particular has been so great. I’ve never acted in a straight drama, so this has been a new experience that I will forever remember. I look forward to performing and showing off all of the work we’ve done.
Kate Sheeran
"Middletown is a beehive, bustling with people and business." This show has been the first in which I've had a role that I connected with very quickly. The Mechanic, that I play, is a wacky, bouncy dude who I've found throughout the exploration of character with the other cast members and, of course, Mr. Stokes. The philosophical obscurity makes this show all the more enjoyable to be in, and being a part of it has been a new and enjoyable experience for me.
Social Emotional Supports:
- Our licensed staff is here to assist students in achieving their health and wellness goals, enabling students to make lifestyle choices that help them achieve optimal physical, emotional and behavioral well-being. Please visit our Align Wellness Program website for additional information.
Sparta High School
Email: edward.lazzara@sparta.org
Website: sparta.org
Location: 70 West Mountain Road, Sparta, NJ, USA
Phone: 9737296191
Twitter: @sparta_hs