JANUARY 2019

Dancing through the Seasons

About 60 NFA dance students and their teacher Ashley Caldeira presented their Dance Showcase – "Seasons Greetings," Fri. evening, Jan. 11. It was a tour through the twelve months focusing upon specific characteristics of each. In the mostly student choreographed routines, students from Dance Company, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop classes performed to seasonal music and themes. For example, May was Cinco, February was Love, and October was Freakshow. It was a talented display against a backdrop of the year's dynamic seasonal splendor.

Around Campus - A Chain Reaction of Kindness

A powerful program about the human dynamics which lead to bullying and school violence, Rachel's Challenge returns to NFA this year.

Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999. Immediately after, her father Darrell began to speak around the nation using writings and drawings from Rachel's many diaries to illustrate the need for a kinder, more compassionate nation. One entry challenges all with her words, "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same."

Many will remember the profoundly moving Rachel's Challenge assemblies of twenty years ago. In the wake of the Parkland school shooting last year and many other all too frequent incidents of school violence, Rachel's Challenge returns to NFA, Jan. 22, for 9th and 10th-graders. Presented in thousands of schools throughout the nation, the program inspires, equips, and empowers every person to create a permanent positive culture in their school, home, business, and community through compassion and kindness. Learn more at rachelschallenge.org.

Roy Wentworth '83 Named Interim Director of Athletics

Head of School David J. Klein named Roy Wentworth '83 Norwich Free Academy Interim Director of Athletics last week.

Since early September, Wentworth has served as the Head of School's Liaison to the Athletic Department. "Roy Wentworth has been pulling double duty this first semester as a full-time science teacher and the Athletic Department Liaison. In that very demanding dual role, he has performed at an exceedingly high level," said Klein. "I have the utmost confidence in Roy and his ability to successfully lead our robust athletic program."

Wentworth has served as NFA's Director of Night School, Alternative Pathway to Success (APS), and Summer Credit Recovery Programs. Highly respected locally and throughout Connecticut, he has an extensive background in leadership, coaching, and business. His resume includes a long stretch as an NFA science teacher as well as a 13-year career as head coach of NFA's wrestling program. His NFA coaching tenure includes a stint with the football program as well as the girls golf team. Currently, he is on the CAS-CIAC Wrestling Committee.

As a high school student-athlete, Wentworth played soccer at NFA. His wrestling career began under the late Carl Snitkin, a lifelong mentor to Wentworth.

Wentworth says, "I am excited about the opportunity of working at NFA in this capacity. My familiarity with the facilities, administration, coaches, and athletes will go a long way to moving the program forward."

Student Spotlight: Lilliana Edilee Lorenzo Concepcion '19

(l-r) Andrea Ackerman, EdD, (MLK Scholarship Board Trustee), James E. Mitchell, PhD (President), Lilliana Edilee Lorenzo Concepcion (scholarship winner), Donetta Hodge (Trustee & Recording Secretary), and Nancy Bulkeley (MLK Scholarship Board Trustee)

Tue., Jan. 8, the NFA Alumni Association Board of Directors honored Lilliana Edilee Lorenzo Concepcion '19 with the Wildcat Pride Award. Since 2010, the Association has recognized students based upon community involvement and academic success.

In September, Trustees of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Trust Board were on hand to surprise Lorenzo Concepcion in the Head of School's office to award her a Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund annually sponsors a $20,000 award paid over four years to each MLK student scholar attending a college or university.

According to her school counselor, Ronald Noyes, Lorenzo Concepcion is "a strong student" taking Advanced Placement and UConn Early College Experience courses. She is dedicated and works very hard," says Noyes, adding that she has plans to become a physician. Project Outreach Coordinator, Jodi Savage, who works closely with her, says Lorenzo Concepcion is "motivated, personable, and has a very bright future."

In addition to her heavy involvement in NFA's Project Outreach, Lorenzo Concepcion volunteers at Backus Hospital, is an active parishioner at St. Mary's Parish in Norwich, and belongs to Interact, the Norwich Youth Action Coalition, and NFA's Successful Hispanic Youth Alliance.

Celebrating Alumni Achievement

The NFA Foundation, Inc. is accepting nominations for two awards to be presented in October 2019: the Distinguished Alumni Award and Service Award.

The awards program recognizes alumni who have significantly impacted the world in their lifetime, either through personal or professional achievement or outstanding community service and whose accomplishments bring honor to the school and pride to all alumni.

For more information, or to submit a nomination, visit nfafoundation.org/nominate.

See You in Florida!

The annual Florida NFA Alumni Reunions take place, Thu., Feb. 21, in Bradenton, and Fri., Feb. 22, in Boynton Beach. RSVP by Jan. 31.

Thursday, February 21, 2019, 11:30 a.m.

Pier 22 1200 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, FL

West Coast Event Registration

Friday, February 22, 2019, 1:00 p.m.

Benvenuto Restaurant 1730 North Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, FL

East Coast Event Registration

Boys Basketball Alumni Appreciation Night

NFA Athletics welcomes alumni members of the boys basketball team, Sat., Feb. 9, for an Alumni Appreciation Night. Refreshments and an alumni player gathering will take place, 3:30 p.m., Slater Auditorium. Stay to see the Wildcats take on Enfield, 5 p.m., in Alumni Hall. For more information or to RSVP, email Jeff Brown '95 at brownj@nfaschool.org.

Pay it Forward

We are seeking donations of caps and gowns from members of the Class of 2018. If you are interested in donating your cap and gown for use at this year's graduation, you may drop it off at the Visitor Check-in Station, at the South (Main) Entrance on Crescent St., near Tirrell or bring to the Alumni House, located on the corner of Broadway and Carroll Avenue.