Crusader field hockey captain Meg Colantuoni, one of
GDRHS’ September Athletes of the Month.
By Bob Mingolelli
There are many outstanding student athletes at Groton-Dunstable
Regional High School. With recommendations from the faculty, the Groton Herald
will highlight a few of these individuals during the school year.
Senior varsity field hockey co-captain Meg Colantuoni has
lived in Groton for all but 13 months. Her accomplishments are the
personification of achievements achieved through hard work. GD faculty and
coaches agree Meg’s competitive nature and positive energy make her a pleasure
to have both in class and in playing her favorite sport, field hockey.
Mr. and Mrs. Dave and Mary Colantuoni always encouraged Meg
and older brother Tim, positively supporting them in school and in their
athletic activities. Tim played baseball at G-D and is currently a student at
Middlesex Community College.
Meg has played numerous sports including youth soccer;
varsity tennis her freshman and sophomore years as well as field hockey. “I
have played hockey since the eighth grade and decided that was the sport I
wanted to focus on,” shared Meg.
As a freshman, Meg played JV field hockey, but made up her
mind that she wanted to be on the varsity as a sophomore. “I didn’t think I was
good enough so I really started working hard, playing club hockey just trying
to improve.” Field hockey included Granite State Elite and Futures
Field Hockey and playing year round became the norm.
The hard work paid dividends for Megan who made the varsity
as a sophomore and co-captains the team this season along with junior goalie,
Abby Vervaeke.
“After that freshman year I really knew I liked the sport,”
she remembers and decided, “I might like to play field hockey in college.
Nichols College is one of the schools I have looked at but have not committed
to.”
In her sophomore and junior years, Meg anchored the defense
for the field hockey team. Because she has the skills and savvy to transfer
effectively, varsity field hockey coach Rachel Connerty plays Meg at
center-mid this year where she transitions from offense to defense as play
dictates. “I’m all over the place, calling the plays on the corners. I love
it,” she shared. “Meg sets the tone of the game. She certainly has a
nose for the ball, doesn’t mind pestering opposing players with tenacious
defense. She communicates to her teammates and sets the plays,” comments
Connerty.
“When she is out there going for the ball and playing
offensively, her teammates do the same, and it sure is fun to be a part of! She
is the backbone and the spirit of the team. Her positive leadership,
dedication, strong defensive and offensive skills, knowledge of the game and
motivation to not only improve herself personally but help make the players
around her better,” continued coach Connerty.
Meg has had consistent honor roll grades through high
school. Talking about her future plans, she shared “I thought about studying
nursing after high school but forensics and criminology are very interesting
career paths for me.”
G-D chemistry teacher Steve Kleeman insists that Meg
brings the same qualities from the hockey field to the classroom. “A
fighter in what she believes in, competitive energy and her presence improves
the atmosphere in class,” relates Kleeman.
Meg enjoys time outdoors with her dog Slinky “You know
Slinky, from Toy Story,” she smiled. She also enjoys working at the Groton
Country Club as a hostess for various function hall events.
Meg is beyond being proud of being selected field hockey
captain. “I love the game and worked extremely hard to improve. Being
recognized for my effort is very fulfilling because it was unexpected. It was
Great!”
MCAS Results
Students who completed the MCAS exam last year received their results before leaving today. A presentation on school and district results will be provided at a School Committee meeting in the near future. I will share data in my blog after that presentation.
MEFA College Financing Event at GD
Parents and students are invited to attend a free seminar on
paying for college, which will be held on Thursday, October 22, at 6:00
pm in the High School Black Box. This seminar is offered through MEFA, the
Commonwealth’s authority on planning, saving, and paying for college. An
experienced MEFA representative will provide an overview of the college
financing process, including types of financial aid, how to apply, and
financing options for your family. Before the seminar, be sure to visit MEFA’s
website — mefa.org —
to download a copy of the seminar presentation and explore other tools and
resources to assist you in the college planning process.
Yard Sale Fundraiser
In the spirit of community service and global awareness, students and staff traveling to Ecuador in April of 2016, are holding a Yard Sale fundraiser at Prescott, 145 Main Street in Groton. The yard sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th from 8:00 am until noon with a rain date of Sunday, October 25th. Don't worry, either way, you won't miss the Patriots! Students, staff, and parents will collect, sort and later sell donated items.
Donations, a vital part of our yard sale success, should be brought to the rear entrance of Prescott on Friday, October 23rd, between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. After the yard sale ends, any remaining items will be delivered to Savers in Nashua, NH. For a list ofaccepted donations, check the Savers of Nashua, NH donation center site. Help us help local families and global efforts as we raise funds to help others, create a greener planet Earth by recycling goods, and support Savers designated nonprofit, the Epilepsy New England Foundation New Hampshire.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Harvard University Event For Students
A one-day conference for high school students to learn how to jump start initiatives. Keynote speakers and hands-on and small-group workshops aimed at teaching students how to launch and improve initiatives. For more information click on the link provided. goo.gl/kS2MPy
Yearbook Photo Deadline
The deadline for senior portraits was Friday, October 16.
Many seniors haven't submitted their senior portrait yet. Here is a link to
a letter explaining how to submit your senior's
portrait.
Please submit the portrait as soon as possible. We cannot
extend a grace period beyond October 26 because our first yearbook
submission to the publisher includes the senior portrait section. We want to
make sure every senior is included!
If you have any questions on senior portraits, please
contact Jon Adams (jadams@gdrsd.org).
GDRHS Drama Guild Presents Harvey by Mary Chase
Since the beginning of school in September, Groton-Dunstable High School drama students and teachers have been hard at work preparing for their first production of the year. Harvey is a comedy by Mary Chase that follows Elwood P. Dowd, a man who sees a tall rabbit-like creature named Harvey who is invisible to the rest of the world. His sister, Veta, attempts to put Elwood in a sanitarium for the mentally ill. But is Harvey really only a product of Elwood’s mind? You be the judge.
Drama Guild has started out the year with 50 students involved, most of them currently working on Harvey. The production is being directed by GDRMS English teacher Jennifer Leung and assistant directed by Jack Malone, a junior at GDRHS. Shows are on November 6 at 7 PM and November 7 at 2 PM and 7 PM at the GDRHS Black Box Theatre, 703 Chicopee Row in Groton, MA. Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 for students, senior citizens, and the matinee.
