Hornet Happenings

The final stretch of the school year always seems to fly by, and the catalyst for it all is SCORE. On Monday, April 7th, our seniors will embark on their SCORE projects, marking the beginning of their transition from MERHS students to graduates. It’s hard to believe their last week of school is already here! Over the next few months, I look forward to celebrating their achievements and milestones alongside our school community. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns—I deeply value your involvement and support.

Important dates:

Friday, April 18th - early release day

Monday, April 21st - 25th - April vacation

Wednesday, May 7th - early release day

Tuesday, May 20th - Wednesday, May 21st - Math MCAS for 10th graders

CURRICULUM REVIEW

Please share input about our MERSD Science, Tech, & Engineering programming!

This year MERSD is completing a Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) curriculum review. During this time, we review all aspects of our STE curriculum and programming. We are seeking your input to help us evaluate our program from a broad perspective. Please complete this brief survey to share your family's experiences.

Science, Tech, & Engineering community feedback survey: https://forms.gle/cifybRLv8M42hwrd6

Lanes Coven, a theater company producing Shakespeare and other classic plays across Cape Ann, performed their version of Romeo and Juliet for the freshmen class at the high school on March 20. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to see live theater and experience firsthand the play that they'll study next quarter! Thank you to the cast and crew, who also held a talk-back session with students after the performance. Thank you, as well, to the Friends of the Manchester Essex Performing Arts, who generously provided a grant to help cover the cost of the performance.
Lanes Coven is committed to producing theater that everyone can access and enjoy; they also offer educational workshops to teach students the language and poetry of Shakespeare.

The MERHS Art Department is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition at Montserrat College of Art. Below are the winners and exhibit/ reception times. This is truly our "D1" distinction in terms of the high level of top-quality work. I hope you will be able to see this incredible exhibit while it is up. Please congratulate junior Auggie Capotosto for her best of school award.

From Montserrat:

Montserrat College of Art and Congressman Seth Moulton are proud to announce the winners for this year’s Sixth District Congressional High School Art Competition and Show. This year nearly 100 students from 22 schools across the district submitted their work. The Grand Prize winner this year is Michael A Foley of North Reading High School.

An award ceremony recognizing the winners will be held on Saturday, March 15th at Montserrat’s Hardie Building, 23 Essex Street, Beverly. The winning work and honorable mentions will be presented with a citation from Congressman Moulton. Additionally, Montserrat will provide the awardees and honorable mentions varying amounts of scholarship to the college’s Summer Pre-College Program. The gallery will be open from 3-6 pm Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, and 3:30 – 5 pm on Saturday, March 15th.

Best in School Winner:

Manchester Essex Regional High School - August Capotosto, Farewell

February and March were busy months for the Middle and High School bands and vocal ensembles!

The High School Jazz Band took the stage at the Evening of Jazz, delivering exciting performances that showcased their dedication, musicianship, and improvisational skills. Their hard work was on full display, making for a fantastic night of music!

The High School Jazz Band had an amazing experience working with Alexa Tarentino, a Rockport native and saxophonist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis. She shared valuable insights, answered questions, and even played alongside the students, making it an unforgettable and inspiring day for all!

Thanks to the Manchester by the Sea Cultural Council, both the Middle School and High School bands were treated to a fantastic clinic by the Boston Saxophone Quartet, where they gained valuable insights and had the chance to engage with professional musicians, and were treated to some wonderful performances.

The High School Chorus, Jazz Band, and SoundWaves also performed at another successful STEAM Showcase, featuring a diverse program that included Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Joe Zawinul, Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo & Stitch, and David Bowie’s Starman.

We’re looking forward to showcasing all of our students’ hard work at the Spring Concert on Thursday, April 10th @ 6:00. Hope to see you there!

International Week is an opportunity for students to appreciate diversity, explore cultural differences, and connect their own experiences with those of other cultures. As a long-standing tradition in the Manchester Essex District this event brings together parents, community members, students and staff to share their global experiences.

This year we were fortunate to welcome a variety of presenters who shared their stories and perspectives from Japan, Turkey, France, Grenada, Germany, Costa Rica, Israel, the Philippines and the Camino de Santiago in Portugal and Spain.

The World Language Department extends its most sincerest thank you to all of the presenters for volunteering their time and sharing their amazing journeys with our students!

Our presenters this year included:

David Nicastro: US Marine traveling around the world

Brenda Tharpe and Noreen Forbes: El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Portugal and Spain

Natasha Taylor: Grenada

Jenelle Ford: The Philippines

Rhys and Will Kiester: Japan

Margaret Kane: Turkey

Andre Kuehnemund: Germany

Erin Fortunato, Hannah Davis, Josh Cohen, Brigid Carovillano, Stella Straub, Whitney Turner, Sabine Cooper, Riley McKinnon, Alessia Omari, Maddie O’Grady

Antonia Vivanco: Peru

Michelle Carrancho: The French Alps

Doris-Ann Vosseller: Celebration of Candelaría/Chandeleur

Our chapter had a great success at the DECA state competition, with 7 students qualifying for ICDC in Orlando as state champions and 5 more state finalists who have a chance to be bumped up to ICDC. Amazing experience overall and a huge thank you to you all for your support and to Alicen, Lauren, Robbie, Sam, and Matt for being great chaperones - couldn't have done it without you! Please see below for the champions and finalists.

State Champions:

Charlotte Crocker / Ella Arntsen - Innovation Plan

Connor Dickson - Restaurant and Food Service Management

Jack McCavanagh / Jake Zschau - Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Alex Hatfield / Ben Rubens - Financial Services

State Finalists:

Alex Montaresi - Principles of Entrepreneurship

Rachel Gallant - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism

Leigha Akerley / Talya Erdogan - Buying and Merchandising

Adam Macleod - Automotive Services Marketing