News From the Eagle's Nest
Principal's Newsletter - MacNaughton's Minutes
Dear MK Community,
2020 has been a challenging year forcing us to adapt to the new realities of this pandemic. It was a year that certainly rocked the foundation of our school community. We have lost loved ones to COVID-19, many of our families have struggled financially, and our students and staff have had to reinvent the educational process . Despite all of these obstacles, we have risen to the challenge, together as a community.
Our phenomenal staff has met the needs of our students by developing hybrid Zoom lessons. We have been providing meals to families in need, providing internet and resources to families, and we will continue to be here for you to help in any way possible!
Our counselors and case managers will continue to work with you on scholarship applications, college process, and post high school plans. They will also be available for any of your general needs. Please reach out to your counselors with any questions or help you need.
As we enter 2021, may we be united with the common goals of taking care of one another, and protecting our nest! For this new year, let's continue to stay positive as a school community and support one another. In the words of Walt Whitman, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.”
Toward that end, I have decided to dedicate this newsletter to the amazing accomplishments of our awesome students. Thank you to everyone who shared these achievements with me to include in the newsletter and I encourage all of you to continue to send any student or staff achievements to me for future newsletters.
As we adapt to these new realities and prepare for possible unknowns that lie ahead, we will continue to take a thoughtful approach to problem-solving. Your input and questions are welcomed at rmacnaughton@mhrd.org.
May 2021 be filled with hope and promise and may we all soar like GOLDEN EAGLES!
With Golden Eagle Pride,
Ryan MacNaughton
Great Opportunity For MK Students! - Click Below to View
KNOLLS HOCKEY MAKING SOME NOISE! GO KNOLLS!!!!!
MK FAMILY SHOUT-OUTS!
Donovan Christman (11) Excels in the Morris Knolls Aviation and Aerospace Program!
Donovan is one of the students in the inaugural MK Aeronautics and Aerospace program. The course definitely piqued his interest in flight and flying. Donovan began studying for his private pilots license in October. He passed the ground school portion earlier in December and will be completing the entire program in early January. Theoretically he may have his private pilots license before he gets his drivers license (delayed due to COVID). Attached is a picture from American Flyers Training School at Morristown airport where he will complete the program. He plans to continue on an receive advanced ratings.
Tierni Furlong (12) Chosen to Represent Morris Knolls as the Student Athlete at the National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration!
Gabriella Sanchez - invited to be a featured animator in "Arts by the People!" Congrats Gabby!
The association "Arts by the People" invited Gabriella Sanchez to participate as a featured animator in a showcase where she animated a “skit” for this year’s prompt called “Imagining Utopia."
In addition, Gabby and a group of students on the east coast participated in a FreshFilms production about the environment; the kids write, act, produce, film, and edit their videos about whatever topic FreshFilms has selected. See her animation and video below. Congrats Gabby!!
Alexander Jacobsen named 2020 - 2021 Hispanic Scholar!!
Dedicated Trumpeters Making a Difference in the Community!!
Alex shares his talents to honor vets!
Alex Jacobsen, a Morris Knolls senior, joined Bugles Across America (BAA) in February 2020 as its youngest member in New Jersey. This organization was founded in 2000 due to the passage of new federal standards for military funerals, which call for two military members to fold and present the American flag and to provide a sounding of “Taps.” A shortage of available military buglers was addressed by allowing this sounding of “Taps” to be done by way of a recording. BAA was thus formed to provide live buglers to honor veterans at their funerals.
After passing an initial audition and training with the State Director, Alex began serving missions
regularly as a volunteer. Alex worked with two divisions of Wreaths Across America on December 19 (National Wreaths Across America Day) to provide a live sounding of “Taps” at two wreath-laying ceremoniesthrough BAA.
As a descendant of two Revolutionary War veterans, a Civil War veteran, and a WWII veteran (MarineSgt. Walter Jacobsen, his grandfather), he’s proud to use his talents to “Sound the Honor - Honor the Sound.”
Congratulations Alex!!
Click on Video below to view Alex Playing!!
Michael Minenna Shines in the Youth Trumpet & Taps Corps!!
Additionally, Michael was selected as the Drum Captain of the MK Golden Eagle Marching Band this year, quite an accomplishment for a 10th grader!
We are all so proud of him!!
Milan Shah earns the rank of Eagle Scout!!!
Keila Aquino - Lobato (12) excels during her senior year!!
Mom and Dad
Fall Play Donates to Interfaith Food Pantry. Thank you to Ms. Mazur and our amazing cast!
The MK Virtual Fall Play thanks our audience for donating $1,578.79 to the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County. Instead of selling tickets to our virtual production, the cast and Production Staff of Morris Knolls High School's Fall Play, "10 Ways to Survive Life in a Quarantine," asked that audience members make a donation to support the Interfaith Food Pantry Network. IFPN’s client base has increased by 36% since March. All donations will be put to good use providing nutritious food to people in need throughout Morris County.
Here is the link to our fundraising page: https://mcifp.harnessapp.com/wv2/campaign/2834 if you would like to contribute.
Casey Heitmann (12) - AP Scholar - Dedicates AP project (Artwork and Essay) to her father's battle with COVID-19.
On the afternoon of March 17, I was helping set up for the holiday, when I heard muffled voices. My mom was calling my grandparents, telling them to turn around and to go back home. I sat there with a confused, naive, and concerned face, eager to know what was going on. My dad was feeling symptoms of the virus--the virus that was worldwide, feared, and fatal. As a teenager, you are convinced that you are invincible, and that everything in life will turn out the way you want it to. The weeks that followed that holiday forever changed my perspective on life and what it holds for us.
Every day was the same: I woke up, checked the news, and went downstairs to see how my dad was doing. I was being forced to stay distant from the man who had been by my side my whole life; forced to see his personality deteriorate as the minutes passed. The four walls of my room became my normal, along with my dried out hands from washing them. I can remember waking up before online school, staring at my reflection in the mirror and trying to fake a smile. My face was focused on school, but my mind was running through scenarios of the possible outcomes for my dad. It was like a record player skipping, constantly repeating, “He’s going to be fine.” I convinced myself every day until the dreaded moment happened. My mom called for me to come downstairs, when I saw my dad struggling to breathe. This was it. My mom was rushing around grabbing my dads’ belongings. I froze, overwhelmed by the sight of my dad hunched over, barely making it to the car. When I heard my mom say she was taking him to the hospital, I soon came to the realization that this could possibly be my last moment with my dad. I ran to the car and saw my dad holding his chest; I will never forget looking into his eyes and seeing the fear that flooded them. All I could think about was that it was my last feel of him, my last sight of him, my last time hearing him, and my last words to him. Could I really lose my dad at sixteen?
While my dad lay isolated in a crowded hospital with something to breathe for him, my mom and I were sitting helplessly in what used to feel like home. I began feeling symptoms of the virus, along with my mom. I fought the virus every day, while taking care of my mom mentally and physically. Eventually, I overcame my depressive tendencies of avoiding the problem, and was able to express myself to my mom. Leaning on each other was all we had, besides the phone calls, delivered food, and flowers. Every time we called the nurses, it was always, “no change, but he is stable.” I was so tired and frustrated with the word “stable.” It didn’t mean my dad was awake and it didn’t give me any sense when he was coming home.
Suffering from the virus, my dad in the hospital, and my mental health depleting, school became an enemy rather than a priority. I lost sight of my goals. Then I built up the courage to email my teachers and inform them of my situation; their understanding encouraged me to accomplish assignments not only for me, but for my dad. My dad’s fight in the hospital inspired me to keep fighting too. After three weeks, we finally got the answer that he was waking up; he would soon be able to return home. I would get to see him, hold him, speak to him, and listen to his voice again. This was not just a challenge I overcame; it put life in perspective and engraved in me to never take anything for granted.
Melina Diou (9) Rocking It in the Performing Arts Academy
Mom and Dad
Sam and Tyler Orlick (12) Promoted to Black Belt Instructors!!
On December 12th, Sam and Tyler Orlick were formally promoted to Assistant Black Belt Instructors in Taekwondo,Martial Arts at the Ronin Martial Arts Academy in Denville.
The boys have been working toward this since they began TKD at 6 years of age. They each hold a Second Degree Black Belt ( and are working toward 3rd degree) They will be teaching the younger and advanced underbelts the purpose, fitness and the meaning behind practicing Taekwondo. This is a very high honor that came after 12 years of hard work and discipline.
Bella Zollo - Difference Maker!!!
Since the rise of COVID-19 Bella Zollo (10) (has been making rainbow loom bands, but not to use as bracelets. Bella made bags of them to distribute to health care workers. Bella has made them for her great aunts and their staff and the list goes on. She also makes them for essential workers at Shoprite. These rainbow loom bands help to keep the loop from the mask a little less tight on the ears and it helps to keep the mask in place.
In addition, Bella was not able to find work due to the Pandemic, so she started her own business.
It is called Sunshine florist. She is now an Artificial floral arrangement decorator. We are so proud of her and she is still making arrangements for profit and even some to donate. She donated an arrangement to Dwyer Elementary school so her former teachers had something to look out when getting their mail in the school.
Well done Bella!!
Congratulations Audra!! High Honor Roll!
Love dad and Joanie, grandma and grandpa, uncle Michael and aunt Denise, uncle Joseph and Nicole and Anthony
Sara Popkin and Anna Torres earn 1st Place Honors at the Fall FCCLA Virtual Leadership Conference!
MK Football - All Super Football Conference/Morris Sussex Sports - All Conference
Nick Sullivan - 1st Team - All Conference/ 1st Team Morris/Sussex
Chris Velardi - 1st Team All Conference/1st Team Morris/Sussex
Sean Beller - 1st Team All Conference/1st Team Morris/Sussex
Brandon Nguyen - 2nd Team Morris/Sussex
Patrick Kaiser - 2nd Team Morris/Sussex
Dan Kelly - Honorable Mention
Mike Drucker - Honorable Mention
Kevin Walter - Honorable Mention
Click Below to View the 2020 Football Highlight Video
Chris Velardi Makes All County - Signs to Play Football at Stevenson University!!
Patrick Ryan (12) Commits to William Patterson and receives Trustee Scholarship!
Patrick Ryan class of 2021
Patrick Ryan has been accepted to William Paterson University and will be majoring in Sports Management. He received a Trustee Scholarship Award for his outstanding academic achievement at Morris Knolls High School and he has committed to play for the baseball team.
The William Paterson baseball program has captured two national championships, seven
regional crowns and 12 New Jersey Athletic Conference titles. Go Pioneers!
Shannon and Mikayla O'Leary (9) Shine academically and athletically at Knolls!!!
Even more impressive has been their ability to adapt and prosper, and develop a new set of friends and colleagues, while remaining focused on their work, healthy, and optimistic about the future. Thanks to the teachers, administrators and coaches for keeping them engaged and ready for when things return to normal. Keep up the good work!
MK Field Hockey Families Share their Experiences....
From the mouth of coach Evans “they showed up ready to work each time thinking it may be their last practice and still gave it their ALL each time” I could not agree more, as we watched Valentina, our new high school student enter this new sport with uncertainty, only to find herself surrounded by the outstanding leadership of Coach Evans and support of teammates that have become family. I am forever grateful to this program that has taught my daughter life lessons she will forever hold dear to her heart.
-The Restrepo Family
Because of the welcoming and supportive environment created by coach Evans, any nerves our daughter may have had about starting freshman year disappeared when she joined the MK Field Hockey Team. Gracie not only gained confidence to play this new sport but also established wonderful new friendships. We are so grateful to the MK Field Hockey Team for making this a great first season for our daughter!”
-Maura Dolan
Sarah mentioned that she was initially nervous because she was entering into a new school with new kids along with trying a new sport she never played before, not to mention in the middle of a pandemic. However, Field Hockey has made her feel connected to the school and school spirit. Field hockey was her outlet to have fun and meet new friends, friends she now calls her closest. Sarah developed a passion for the sport and looks forward to the upcoming years ahead in this program. Many memories and laughs were made during the 2020 season.
-Roxanne Epstein
Both Mikayla and Shannon found a new home at MK and in the Freshmen Field Hockey program this year. Never having touched a field hockey stick before, they enthusiastically showed up for each practice to learn from a talented and nurturing coach, surrounded by young ladies who would soon become a life line during a pandemic we could not have predicted would take over our lives in so many ways. They looked forward to each and every moment on the field, and every interaction that helped them to learn the game, mature as athletes and women. In Gracie, Sarah, Valentina and so many others... they found a sisterhood. If not for this opportunity, I imagine their freshman year would have been extremely different and certainly a lot more challenging than it already was. Field hockey was a stabilizing force in their lives. It provided exercise , mental and physical growth and friendships that will last a lifetime! We are so grateful for Coach Evans, the MK Administration and athletics department for making this happen for our girls. Wishing everyone a very healthy and peaceful 2021!!!
-The O’Leary Family
Vraj Patel (10) Excels and Serves the Community During the Pandemic!
Vraj also is excelling at the Anubhooti School of Indian Classical Music where he plays an instrument called the Tabla
We are so proud of Vraj!!
Eric and Kevin Oliveira (9) - Excel in their Freshmen Year!
Eric is one of the high honor roll students we celebrated earlier this month. Eric is dedicated, kind, responsible, talented in music and theater. He loves sports and is on the freshman soccer team. He already signed up for wrestling next year. This pandemic surely did not make him stop and he has been thriving.
Kevin is very intelligent, very talented in music (he plays piano, clarinet, drums), and a wonderful singer and actor. Kevin has overcome many obstacles to improve his grades at school, and compete on the Freshmen Cross Country Team.
Keep up the good work Eric and Kevin. MK is proud!
Congratulations to Analiese Haag, Karolina Kedzierska, and Emily Stevenson for making the All Conference Cross Country Team!
Analiese Haag - First Team All Conference
Karolina Kedzierska - 2nd Team All Conference
Emily Stevenson - 2nd Team All Conference
Congratulations Will Burke and Tom Carney for making 2nd Team All Conference in Boys XC
MK Boys Soccer Team - Honors - Congrats Boys!
Bobby Egner - First Team All Conference, 3rd Team All County
Sean Boen - First Team All Conference - 3rd Team All County
Sam Babicz - 2nd Team All Conference, All County Honorable Mention
Liam Dewees - All Conference Honorable Mention
Jack Simon - 2nd Team All Conference, All County Honorable Mention
Morris Knolls Girls Soccer - Honors - Congrats Girls!
Natalie Pollack - 1st Team All County, 1st Team All Conference
Meghan Ghilain- County Honorable Mention, 2nd Team All Conference, North 1 Top 20 Player
Carly Sharpe - County Honorable Mention, 2nd Team All Conference
Hayley Brookes - 1st Team All Conference
Mylie McDonough - All Conference Honorable Mention
Daily Record Names Presley Anderson as one of Top 20 Players North 1 and she earned 1st Team All Conference
Natalie Pollack - Named NJAC Comeback Player of the Year!!
Morris Knolls - Tennis - All Conference Honors!
Student Ambassadors discuss their experiences in the Performing Arts Academy!
Watch the APA promotional Video!
Upcoming Performing Arts Showcase!
The Academy for the Performing Arts will be working with The Lane Group and Digital Memories Event Videography to manage, organize, and design a virtual showcase for each Academy discipline. Both. The Lane Group and Digital Memories Event Videography have the experience, creativity, and technical expertise to showcase students’ talents and assist us in creating a memorable event for our students in the Academy for the Performing Arts.
It is estimated that the Theatre and Vocal virtual showcases will be available for viewing in mid-to-late January and the Dance virtual showcase will be available for viewing in mid-to-late March.
We can't wait to showcase their talent!!
- Monday, January 18th - School Closed - Martin Luther King Day
- Friday, January 29th - End of Marking Period 2
- Saturday, February 6th - ACT Administration at MK
- Monday, February 15th - School Closed - Presidents' Day
Throwback Videos - Our halls will be filled with spirit again soon - HANG IN THERE!!
Click Below to Join the Morris Knolls Home and School Association!
Morris Knolls High School
Email: rmacnaughton@mhrd.org
Website: www.mhrd.org
Location: 50 Knoll Drive, Rockaway, NJ, USA
Phone: 9736642201
Twitter: @MKPrincipal