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MARCH 2019

NFA Hosts Connecticut History Day

Connecticut History Day encourages students in grades 6-12 to explore local, state, national, and world history. On March 23, NFA hosted the eastern region competition. Hundreds of students participated, including 45 from NFA.

 

Students select and research a topic using a variety of sources, including libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews.  After analysis and interpretation, they create and present final projects to represent their conclusions of historical significance.

 

NFA student winners and their topics were eleventh-graders Elinor Raggon and Mackenzie Ramsey, "Thomas J. Dodd's Role in Gun Control" (Senior Group Documentary); Litzianna Ruiz, "The Fantastically Tragic Life of Eliane de Kooning" (Senior Individual Documentary); Davien Gomes, Joseph Smith, Ryder Tardiff, and Christian Viens, "Indian Removal Due to Westward Expansion" (Senior Group Website); Juliana Drainville and Ashlyn Sminkey, "The Life of Judith Sargent Murray" (Senior Group Performance); and, ninth-grader Lily O'Neil, "Eva Peron" (Senior Individual Performance).

 
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Juniors (LtoR) Joseph Smith, Davien Gomes, Christian Viens, and Ryder Tardiff, won 1st prize, Senior Group, Website category, for their project "Westward Expansion and Indian Removal."

Cam the Weatherman

 
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Cameron Kurasz '19 loves to keep his fellow students up-to-date with the latest weather information. His passion for the science of meteorology has garnered him the nickname "Cam The Weatherman." His passion has earned him friends and mentors in the field, also. Watch NFA's own weatherman Cam Kurasz in a segment with Fox 61 Meterologist Dan Amarante.

 

Around NFA Athletics

2019 CIAC Scholar-Athletes

 
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Madeline Perrino and Jonathan Synott are NFA's 2019 CIAC Scholar-Athletes and will be honored, May 5, at the Aqua Turf, Southington.  Perrino, daughter of Laura and Michael Perrino of Norwich, is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Honors Program.  She has earned three letters in soccer and four in basketball.  She was named ECC Student-Athlete for the 2018 spring and fall seasons.  Basketball team captain, Perrino is Vice President of the Class of 2019 and President of the Varsity "N" Club.  Involved in Project Outreach and NFA Ambassadors, she volunteers in her community, and organized an "End Gun Violence Rally" in 2018.  She plans to study nursing at Catholic University, Washington, DC.

 

Jonathan Synott, son of Christine '86 and James Synott of Lisbon, is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Honors Program.  A two-time selection for first team ECC soccer, Synott served as the team's captain this year and was selected to play in the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association Senior Bowl.  A three-time letter winner in baseball, Synott was the ECC Scholar-Athlete and ECC 2nd Team Designated Hitter last year.  He plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and hopes to play club baseball at UConn.

2019 Fencing State Champions

In this year's Connecticut State Fencing Championship, NFA won both individual and team championships. Alex Wicken '19 is the 2019 Epee State Champion. In team play, the Wildcats took the championship for Girls Epee. State championships for fencing were earned in 2011 and 2013 in Boys Foil. NFA Fencing began as a club in 2001 and gained varsity team status in 2003.

 
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NFA Wildcat Fencing Girls Epee State Championship Team: (LtoR) Assistant Coach Scott Provost, Ashlyn Sminkey '20, Phoebe Drupa '19, Alex Wicken '19, Cassandra Zawacki '20, and Head Coach Dominque Weigel '11.

Briones Honored

The Connecticut High School Coaches Association has named Norwich Free Academy Head Coach, Robert Briones "Outstanding Coach of the Year" in Boys Soccer.  Briones is among 26 to be honored by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association "Outstanding Coaches of the Year" at its 55th recognition dinner, May 9, 2019, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT.


Since 1997, for 22 seasons, Briones has been NFA's Boys Soccer Head Coach. He has had seven All-New England players, 22 All-State players, and 55 All-Conference players. His career record is 258-127-26, which includes seven ECC Tournament titles and two Connecticut State Semifinal appearances in the CIAC LL Division. In 2005-06, he led the team to two undefeated seasons (30-0). When asked about his selection, Briones commented, "I am humbled, honored, and grateful to receive this award. Grateful to all my former players, parents, coaching staff, athletic directors, faculty members, and my family for all their support and patience."


Briones has been a school counselor at NFA for 22 years. Originally from Chile, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling from UConn.


Interim Athletic Director, Roy Wentworth, states, "Robert is truly deserving of this honor, and we are fortunate to have such a highly committed coach on our staff. Robert's commitment to our students, both on and off the field, is exceptional."

Upcoming Events

04/04/2019
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ensemble Room Bradlaw Building
 
7:00 PM
Slater Auditorium
 
04/05/2019
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Slater Auditorium
 
04/07/2019
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Slater Memorial Museum
 
04/12/2019
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Slater Memorial Museum
 
04/25/2019
7:00 PM
Slater Auditorium
 

NFA Foundation, Inc. and Office of Communications & Public Affairs

 

NFA Foundation, Inc.

321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360


alumni@nfaschool.org
nfaschool.org/alumni

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