GCIT Weekly Newsletter

This week the energy and spirit in our school was vibrant, alive, exciting, and celebratory! With each spirit day theme, staff and students displayed their creative and fun side with their outfits and how they expressed the theme of the day. The week culminated with the senior parade, Powderpuff and Homecoming.

Below are highlights from the week!

Chef and Ref

Mr. Clean and Queen

Messy and Dressy

Our senior class paraded through the halls proudly, earning our traditional senior privilege to chant through the hallways on Powderpuff morning. The senior class did an amazing job cleaning after the parade. It was great to see that some teachers allowed the underclassmen to line the halls and cheer for our seniors - that is a great show of support and pride for our senior class! Thanks also to Mr. Hoolahan's Junior class for assisting with the cleaning after the parade!

Then it was off to Powderpuff! Although it was a chilly night, our students kept warm with their school spirit, talents, and hot chocolate from FCCLA! Powderpuff was a huge success! With strong team spirits, each class played together to show their athletic talents in flag football. Each class entertained the crowd with their well-choreographed dance routines, which was fun to see some of our students expressed themselves through the various dance numbers. At the end of the night our sophomore and senior classes won their games, but that did not damper the spirit of our freshman and junior classes! The Junior class won the "Spirit Stick"! Excellent job to the staff who coached our students - thank you!

Not only did our students and parents enjoyed the game, we were great visitors to the Deptford High School field! In the words of one of the Deptford grounds employees - "you guys did a great job cleaning up, the field looks great! You are welcome back anytime!" Our students were truly great GCIT ambassadors and they displayed our GCIT values proudly! Sincere thanks to all the staff and SROs who helped to make the night a success.

Student council along with Mr. Bates and Mrs. Jacob would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out to Powderpuff and made it a huge success!

Also this week, our students were tasked with voting for Homecoming Royalty:

• Freshman Lady and Lord
• Sophomore Duchess and Duke
• Junior Princess and Prince
• Senior Queen and King

Below were the nominees.

Logan Walter's and Haley Godish

Mason Commack and Averie Clement

Matthew Hanson and Andie Mae DeGeorge

Pat Monaghan & Juliana Graham

Homecoming was another huge success of the week - with 1150 students in attendance at The Merion Ballrooms - our chaperones, administrators, and SROs did an amazing job ensuring that the students had a good time safely! A special shout-out to all our chaperones for their very active/proactive chaperoning. Our administrators who were present, ensured that students only brought permitted items to the dance. At the end of the night, we got great reviews from the students on the elegance of the venue, the food, and the service from the venue's staff. The Merion staff also said that our students were some of the best behaved students they have hosted. Sincere thanks to Zach Bates, Nikki Jacob, all the chaperones, our SRO Officers, and administrators who contributed to the success of Homecoming 2024!

Audition information is now available for the school wide musical Mary Poppins! Join the Musical Auditions Teams page by using the following link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3Aeb2fc025c9d64e42a46a05d669d6fa7c%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=1d09f8b6-373a-44c2-9332-5c52488f0056&tenantId=4eb8bfbc-357d-4f0e-9c5c-360b01fcb0e0

You can also visit the callboard outside of room 404 for the class code to be able to see all audition materials and requirements. All grades, and programs are welcome! Auditions will be held on November 18th. Message Ms. Knoblock with any questions!

Written by Katie Knoblock

Natalia Croce

Soccer

Program: Health Science

College: American University

Major: Law, a minor in Health promotion

Coach Vahey: Natalia is one of the best defensive players to come through the GCIT Girls' Soccer Program. A team captain and a 4 year starter who can play anywhere on the field at an elite level. She always puts the team before herself and is a great leader who leads both vocally and by example. She is ball dominant and plays with grace and precision. Natalia was named all-conference each of the last 3 years and all-South Jersey this year.

Best GCIT memory: My freshman year playing with my sister and our playoff run.

Thanks to: Give thanks to my sister, brother, mom and dad, grandparents and the coaches

Parents – Greg & Nellie Croce
Brother Greg

Ryleigh Damminger

Field Hockey

Program: Health Science

College: Rider University

Major: Exercise Science

Coach Hasko: From the moment Ryleigh started hockey at GCIT we knew she was something special. From Freshmen year she stood out as a leader & for the past four years she has balanced her knowledge of the game with humility, hard work and passion. She truly loves the game and it shows on and off the field. She will truly be missed by the younger players and staff but we are very excited for her future at Rider University.

Best GCIT memory: Was celebrating Senior Night with my fellow Seniors. It was so nice to beat Williamstown as well as celebrate with my best friends. Another favorite memory of mine was beating Clearview my freshman year after losing to them by one goal earlier in the season.

Thanks to: I would like to give thanks to my coaches, teammates, teachers, and trainers. I would like to give a special thanks to my coaches at Uprise and ZenSportSpeed as well as my parents for shaping me into the player and person I am today.

Parents – Jennie, Frank, brothers Frank & Joseph

Casey Foley

Soccer

Program: Health Science

College: Thomas Jefferson University

Major: Health Science

Coach Vahey: Casey is a team captain and a 4 year varsity player. She shows grit and determination every time she steps on the field. She is a physical presence that plays with a tenacity that is unmatched. She puts her body on the line, often playing through injuries, and is one of the toughest players I have coached. The most important thing about her, though, is her ability to lead. She is looked up to by all of her teammates and respected by all of our opponent's coaches and players.

Best GCIT memory: Is scoring the overtime goal against Clearview my junior year

Thanks to: I would like to give thanks to my parents for always pushing me to be my best and supporting me along the way of my soccer career and for my siblings Payton and Gavin Foley for always cheering me on.

Parents – Joseph, Dana, siblings Payton, Gavin

Sophia Saladino

Soccer

Program: Health Science

College: Rowan University

Major: Biological Science

Coach Vahey: Sophia is a three year varsity player who is always willing to do what is best for the team. She can play inside and outside with excellent speed and vision when she has the ball. There isn't a player I would rather have the ball in space than Sophia. She always gives maximum effort and puts her teammates before herself. She is a great leader and often does not get the credit she deserves. Sophia will be greatly missed at GCIT and the coaches wish her success at Rowan University.

Best GCIT memory: Was beating Eastern in overtime last year and beating Cherokee in playoffs this season.

Thanks to: I would like to give thanks to GCIT Girls Soccer for the best four years.

Parents: Diana, Frank, and my brother Frankie

On Sunday, November 10, Senior Kiera Stokes attended the South Jersey Tennis Coaches Association Banquet at The Sapphire Grand in Deptford, NJ.

She received 3 awards:

• All Group IV - Singles

• Career Achievement Award

• Team Captain

Written by Steven Mroz

NJSLA Fall Block

12/9/24 and 12/10/24 - ELA (Freshman) periods 1-4

12/11/24 and 12/12/24 - Math (Freshman) periods 1-4

Make-ups: 12/16/24- 12/19/24

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NJGPA Spring

3/10/25 and 3/11/25 - ELA (Juniors) periods 1-4

3/12/25 and 3/13/25 - Math (Juniors) periods 1-4

Make-ups: 3/17/25- 3/20/25

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NJSLA Spring Block

5/12/25 and 5/13/25 - Science (Juniors) periods 1-4

5/14/25 and 5/15/25 - ELA (Freshman) periods 1-4

5/21/25 and 5/22/25 - Math (Freshman) periods 1-4

Make-ups: 5/27/25- 5/30/25

Submitted by: The Assessment Team

Mrs. Mancini's Junior and Freshman classes showing what they are thankful for at Thanksgiving.

Written by Doreen Mancini

World Kindness Day was celebrated around the world on November 13, 2024. World Kindness Day is a special day set aside to give us an opportunity to highlight good deeds in the community and to show kindness to each other.

Our own teacher, Jessica Hill - showed kindness and brighten her colleagues' day by giving them flowers! Thanks Jess for sharing happiness, kindness, and smiles!

November 15 & 27 - Holiday Door Decorating Contest

November 23 - Program Showcase for Prospective students & parents (10am-12pm)

November 28 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break

December 3 - Program Showcase for Prospective students & parents (6pm-8pm)

December 9 - NHS/NTHS Induction Ceremony

December 9 - 19 - Holiday Door Decorating Contest

December 14 - Breakfast with Santa (fundraiser) - 9am - 12pm

December 16 - 20 - Spirit Week and Holiday Candy Gram Sale

December 20 - Students - 12:15pm Dismissal

December 23 - 31 - Winter Break

January 23 & 24 - Students - 12:15pm Dismissal

February 3 - 7 - School Counselor Week

February 7 - Mr. GCIT

February 26 - Red Cross Blood Drive

March 10 - 17 - St. Patrick's Day Door Decorating Contest

March 17 - 21 - Spirit Week

March 21 - Cotillion (9th & 10th Grade Dance)

March 26 - 27 - Dancing For Humanity