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News From the Eagle's Nest
Principal's Newsletter - MacNaughton's Minutes
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the school year! We have had a successful first semester and I am so proud of our students for all of their accomplishments in both their academic and co-curricular endeavors.
Our mission remains to provide every student with the highest quality education possible. As educators, we have the incredible responsibility and opportunity of not just teaching our children but also making a positive impact on their lives. I look forward to continuing to partner with you for the remainder of the year to ensure that all members of our school community feel safe, valued, respected, and supported.
Our theme for the school year is “Together, We Rise”. It truly is our time to rise to new heights! We have witnessed our students excel in so many areas and this newsletter is dedicated to their achievements. In addition, I have included useful information for both students and parents.
Please know that my door is always open and I welcome your involvement. Please feel free to reach out to discuss any concerns, suggestions, or ideas to make this a great year!
Together, We will Rise.
With Golden Eagle Pride,
Ryan MacNaughton - Principal
MK Announces Educator of the Year Awards!
The NJ Governor's Educator of the year program recognizes staff members who serve as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school; inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom; has the respect and admiration of students, parents, administrators and colleagues; and plays an active role in the community as well as the school.
Educator of the Year - Ms. Lisa Predenkoski
Ms. Predenkoski has been a Math teacher at Morris Knolls High School since 2002. She was nominated for this award by students, teachers, and parents. In the words of one of the nominators, “her classes are supportive, collaborative, and fun. She demands excellence but supports us in pursuit of it.” One of her colleagues stated, “she is like a consulting teacher. Colleagues and supervisors value her opinion greatly and come to her for advice.” She is truly deserving of this prestigious award. Congratulations!!
Educational Specialist of the Year - Mr. Christopher Roman
Mr. Roman has been a school counselor at Morris Knolls High School since 2016. He is also a valued coach in our school community. One parent stated, “He has inspired and motivated my son through tough and struggling moments. I directly correlate my son’s academic success with his counselors dedication, intervention, and assistance. One of his colleagues stated, “he has been a role model for me regarding his dedication, commitment, and ability to help so many students in a limited amount of time.” Congratulations!!
Support Staff Member of the Year - Mr. Ken Castellano
Kiersten Rock - Torcivia named 2022 PHW Hero for Young Hearts Youth Advocacy Champion!
Each year, Parent Heart Watch (PHW) recognizes individuals who demonstrate a continuous commitment to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in youth by taking specific actions that support the PHW mission of protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest and preventable sudden cardiac death.
The Heroes for Young Hearts awards were presented on January 13, 2023, at the welcome dinner of the Parent Heart Watch 18th Annual National Heart to Heart dinner in Houston, Texas.
Kiersten was honored for starting her own charity, Heartfelt Harmonies, which is dedicated to donating life-saving AEDs to socioeconomic disadvantaged communities and providing music therapy kits to pediatric hospitals.
Motivational Speaker (Former WWE Wrestler) Marc Mero Visited MK this Fall for a Powerful Assembly.
MK Seniors Create a Non-Profit Organization!
Untapped Potential is a non-profit organization founded by seniors Sankalp Chandesh & Michael Carnathan. Over the course of this year, the organization has worked with local schools and ice rinks to collect and donate $80k worth of hockey equipment. By partnering with the Ironbound Recreation Center in Newark, NJ, they’ve been able to distribute their equipment to 450+ underprivileged kids. Through the efforts of Untapped potential, kids of all backgrounds will have the opportunity to pursue the sport they love.Way to go Mike and Sankalp. Together, We Rise!
MK Students Earn National Commended Student Status in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program
Nathan Huang Earns Semi Finalist Status in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program
News from the Nest Weekly Broadcasts! Here is a sample of the the great work from our TV Production students
MK presented our Fall Drama - Radium Girls . We have such talented students here at MK. Congratulations to Mrs. Mazur and her incredible cast!
Luke Schagelin sets a new MK Indoor school record in the 600m with a time of 1:21.91⚡ Currently #7 US, #2 NJ
Annual Gifted & Talented Showcase was awesome this year. MK has Talent!!!!!
MK Hosts District Science & Technology Night - Thank you to all of our MK and MH students for providing a wonderful learning experience for the MHRD community!
The MK Academic Decathlon Team that took place at the Regional Competition at Ramapo High School. Seniors Isabella Nemerofsky, Laura Tran, Douglas Tran, and Tej Patel represented MK as regulars across ten events, including interview, speech, essay and 7 subject area tests. Isabella's outstanding performance, in particular, will likely earn her an invitation to the state-level competition!
APA dancers excel at "Backstage is Onstage" performance at CCM and theater academy students rock their showcases!
The Vocal Academy was honored to open the 102nd Annual Morris County Chamber of Commerce meeting by singing the National Anthem at the Hanover Marriott
Best School Spirit in the State! MK Pep Rallies are awesome!
🚨SCHOOL RECORD ALERT🚨 ⚡Olivia Capala, sophomore, sets a new MK Indoor school record in the 600m with a time of 1:41.11⚡ Currently #7 NJ
Click Below to View our Student Newspaper "The Quill" - Our students continue to update articles and information throughout the year!
MK Bowling Team wins State Sectional Title!
MK Senior Maya Frommelt earns Emerging Leader Honors from DECA
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Congratulations Maya!!
Our Fencing teams are having another solid year. Boys head into states with a 7-5 record and Girls with a 6-5 record. Good luck in the post season!
Angeliz Arriaga (9) wins Morris County Manual Art Contest!
Sophia Yousuf defended her Morris County IM title in 2:19.68 — and broke a school record! Girls Team heads into states with a 9-1-1 record. Boys team had some great individual performances. Way to go MK Swim!
Boys Indoor Track & Field Wins State Sectional Title!
Congratulations to Senior Michael Minnena for earning All Eastern Honor Band Status!
Michael Minenna recently won a music scholarship and performed with the Hanover Wind Symphony.
In addition, Michael was honored to play Taps for the special service honoring 4 Star General Ray Odierno, a 1972 Graduate of Morris Hills HS. The event was coordinated by the American Legion Post 344 & the Rockaway Township UNICO.
Congratulations to senior Charles Lansdowne who participated with the NJMEA/NJAJE All State Jazz Band.
Charles was selected as first chair trombonist performing with other talented musicians from across the state in Atlantic City on November 10th and at NJPAC on November 18th with Christian McBride, a Grammy award winning bassist.
Congratulations to our Honors Ensemble Students for their Area, State, and Regional Recognition!!!
Eric Alexander
Lindsay Chan
Charles Lansdowne
Michael Minenna
Grace Ort
Tyler Skelly
Mary Yap
Vivienne Berthelot
Sara Brzyzek
Jordan Calderon
Julia Caponegro
Erin Dawson
Marisa DeStefano
Melina Diou
Natalie Dreyer
Alyssa Fox
Ava Hosonitz
Janhavee Kulkarni
Erin Miskimon
Grace Nagle
Zoey Thibodeau
Charlie Valdez
Megna Wadher
Anika Zoeller
Morris Knolls Wrestling with 8 county place winners! MK Wrestling is 15-6 heading into districts! Way to go, MK!
Chaz Young- 2nd Cole
Newton-4th
Gavin Gomes- 4th
Luke Shivas - 5th
Eamon Kinney-6th
Nick Forgione-6th
Elijah Frix- 6th
Morris Hills/Morris Knolls Girls Wrestling Making Some Noise. Keep up the great work, girls!
Seniors win our annual Powder Puff Football Game!
Congratulations to the 2022 Fall Athletic All-Academic Team!
Morris Knolls now has two mayors of New Jersey towns on staff! Bill Chegwidden (Mayor of Wharton) swore into office the new mayor of Mayor of Stockton Borough, Mr. Aaron Lipsen. Congratulations and thank you for your public service!
MK students making a difference by volunteering for I Am Hope NJ!
Student Volunteers
Emma Dirmann (9)
Lucia Nash (9)
Julia Ramos (9)
Jackie Williams (12)
Maria Tzoumas (9)
MK Hockey with a 10-5-5 record heading into the state tournament. Prudential Center here we come!!
Winter Concert brings Holiday Cheer to MK! Congrats to all of our performers. The Arts are flourishing at Knolls!
Students thrive in our SOAR Transition Program.
Congratulations to Coach Brogan!! 200 career coaching victories!! MK Basketball has a record of 17 - 8 going into the state tournament. Go Knolls!
FCCLA Begins the New Year with Acts of Kindness
Starting the new year with acts of kindness, the FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) Club held a Babysitting Night early this month on Friday, January 6th. This fundraising idea was recreated by the lead officer of the committee, Kari Mindrebo (kmindrebo24@mhrd.org), who had originally participated in this event with another organization! The parents were able to have a wonderful night off, dropping their children off for 2 hours where they could participate in a multitude of exciting activities. These included baking, coloring, painting, and an obstacle course! We thank the help of National Honor Society volunteers in this event, who gave their time to help make the night a success. Mindrebo reflected, “We decided to start small with some NHS (National Honor Society) volunteers and a few children, but we plan to expand in the future and organize another babysitting night in the Spring.” As 2023 progresses, FCCLA will venture into new committees while setting goals for the club as a whole in order to honor the everlasting message of creativity, teamwork, and diligence. If any student is interested in joining this great after-school program, email bseaman@mrhd.org for more information, or visit room A18 after school on Wednesdays for club meetings!
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."
- Robin Williams
Student Government Association leaders attend NJAC Leadership Summit. Thank you to our wonderful SGA leaders who do so much for MK!
List of All student Leaders for the 2022 - 2023 School Year.
Congratulations to the 2022 SFC "Man of the Year" Award recipient from Morris Knolls, Ryan Wong!! Ryan was honored at a NY Jets game!
MK Forensics and Debate Team won 6 trophies at the Hunterdon Central High School Winter Invitational. Congrats to all of our place winners!
4th - Ella Bozic (11) and Sara Brzyzek (11)
5th - Anfal Mahmoud (9) and Sara Gomez (11)
6th - Ace Gauthier (9) and Andrew Sklar (11)
In addition the Forensics Club participated the Annual Randolph Fall Classic Speech & Debate Tournament--with junior Eli Pikus winning sixth in Junior Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Additionally, junior Lauren Hicks placed third in the NJSDL November 2022 Speech Festival!
Congrats to Coach Moore on his 100th Win! Our girls are 13-9 going into the state tournament. Way to Go Girls Hoops!
Seniors Sankalp Chandesh & Lucas George Create a Successful Podcast Series!
Super Senior Patrick Butler Making a Difference in the Community!
MK Baseball's Luke Dickerson Ranked #1 in NewJersey!
MK Students and Staff working together to help our community - Thanksgiving Community Service Project
🚨SCHOOL RECORD ALERT🚨 ⚡Greg Palma, Devin Gaglione, Max Capala, and Luke Schagelin set a new MK Indoor school record in the 4 x 400m with a time of 3:28.51⚡ Currently #12 NJ
11th Grade APA Dancers promote the Academy!
Morris Knolls sophomore girls are Morris County Indoor Champions!🏆
MK Students Celebrate Unity Month
Homecoming Nominees. - Congratulations to Doug Tran and Carly Wemmlinger - 2022 Homecoming King and Queen!
MK Students Earn Prestigious Eagle Award!
Congratulations to Anika Zoeller!!
Anika Zoeller became the first female Eagle Scout in Rockaway on October 25, 2022!
Anika's Eagle Project, renovating her church's garden and restoring her father's Eagle Project from the 1980s, was featured nationally by the Boy Scouts of America in this article.
Congratulations to Soniya Shah for earning Eagle Scout!
Anika Zoeller and Soniya Shah honored for earning the highest rank in scouting!
Congratulations to Eamon Kinney on earning the rank of Eagle Scout!
Shout Out to Melina Diou!
Shout out to Alexis Gounuad. Alexis is a freshman this year at Morris Knolls and her parents are super proud of her for managing their unique and difficult family dynamic. She works hard, stays social and positive despite the difficulties and exclusions life with a special needs sibling encompasses. Her older sister Devan was born with numerous brain deficiencies resulting in profound special needs and medically serious complications (Aicardi syndrome). Devan faces many obstacles and health dangers in her everyday life. Alexis has become a lovely (fierce) independent young lady, who is able to sustain herself and move forward with dignity and grace in the face of all the distractions that she may encounter. We are proud of you Alexis!
D1 and D2 College Commitments - Athletics - GO KNOLLS!
Congratulations to Ryan Beller on his commitment to Manhattan College.
Congrats to Ryan Iberer for committing to play baseball at East Stroudsburg University
Congratulations to Kayleigh Hulings who has committed to Kutztown University for Tumbling!
Congrats to Gabby Gesualdo for commitment to play softball at Monmouth University!
Congratulations to Jack Brennan who will continue his Academic and Football career at Shippensburg University
Morris Knolls FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America organize their annual "SOUPer Bowl" food drive. MK Students making a difference!
Scheduling for the 2023 - 2024 School Year has begun. Don't forget to challenge yourself by taking on a rigorous schedule next year. Click on the informational video below for more info.
Morris Knolls runs a 4:00 PM Bus Monday - Thursday and a 6:00 PM late bus run Monday - Friday. Click below to view the routes.
Click Below or Scan the QR Code to Join the Morris Knolls Home and School Association!
MK Continues to Offer 24/7 Tutoring for Students through Princeton Review!
Don't Forget to Download the Morris Knolls Mobile App!
Morris Knolls Live Streams School Events!!
NFHS Athletic Streaming
Morris Knolls High School is proud to announce our continued partnership with the NFHS Network to broadcast our Golden Eagle athletic contests and school wide events LIVE. We have invested in new technology that will bring you every game or event from Caruso Stadium and the Gene Kelly Gymnasium LIVE online. That means that if you or family members can’t make it to the game or school event, the live action can be watched from anywhere on your phone, tablet, computer or smart TV.
The NFHS Network will help showcase our primary mission of expanding participation and opportunities for involvement in education-based interscholastic sports and activities. The Morris Hills Regional School district has paid for memberships for all of our families and joining the NFHS Network and subscribing for unlimited access is a simple process.
Just follow these simple steps!
1. Go to NFHSnetwork.com
2. Enter Morris Knolls in the search box. This will bring you the free site for your Golden Eagle broadcasts.
3. Click “Follow” so you can stay up to date on all upcoming Morris Knolls broadcasted events.
Thank you for your continued support of Morris Knolls High School. We look forward to bringing you top notch broadcasts of our events!
District Transporation Center Information
Morris Knolls High School
Email: rmacnaughton@mhrd.org
Website: www.mhrd.org
Location: 50 Knoll Drive, Rockaway, NJ, USA
Phone: 9736642201
Twitter: @MKPrincipal