The following students successfully auditioned for the MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators' Association)  Southeastern District's Senior Festival Orchestra and were also recommended to audition for the MMEA All-State Festival 2010 performance at the Boston Symphony Hall on March 20, 2010 (pictured from left to right): Kayla Allen (violin), Walter Xu (violin), Katherine Hrach (violin), and Sangeetha Kavety (violin).

The MHS Performing Arts Department will present its Annual Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 16th at 7pm in the Barbara Trombley Auditorium.  The MHS Orchestra, Concert Band, Concert Choir, and Select Choir will perform a range of outstanding musical selections including "Dance of the Tumblers", "Mary Did You Know", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Bidi Bom," and "Candle Light Carol" to name a few.  The audience is invited to participate in a sing-a-long with the choir and band which will finish off the night.  This concert is dedicated to long time MHS band director, Peter Conti, who is currently recovering from an illness. Tickets will be available at the door for $5 each or $10 for a family of three or more.

Also, the MHS Performing Arts Department recently announced the selection of this years spring musical... Gilbert and Sullivan's hysterical comedy/operetta, Pirates of Penzance.  Auditions will take place the week of February 22-26.  Auditions for the pit orchestra will take place in late January. Students should see Mrs. Newton or Mr. McGuire for additional information.

An emerging trend in college admissions has been the number of seniors choosing to apply early to colleges.  As of 12/11/09, close to 60 % of our seniors will have made applications to colleges and a number of students are already hearing back from those schools. By the time we leave for the winter recess the percentage of seniors who have made an application should be well over 80%. For most seniors and their parents, the next step in the process will be applying for financial aid. Please remember to apply for financial aid by each college's deadline. Financial aid is limited, and if you apply after the deadline, you are less likely to have your financial aid needs met. You may begin filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, available at www.fafsa.ed.gov ) as of January 1st, 2010. Most colleges would like to see your financial aid forms by the end of January or the beginning of February.
           

 Yesterday's Boston Globe featured its annual Fall All-Scholastic section, honoring outstanding student athletes who excelled on the fields, courses, and courts, establishing standards of excellence and dedication.  Many of these students led their respective teams to league and state championships.  Among the Mansfield High School honorees are senior Patrick McGowan (pictured at left), who was named as the Boys' Cross Country Athlete of the Year, his teammates Brendan Boyle and Shayne Collins (All-Scholastics), and MHS Hornet halfback Shawn Doherty.  The MHS Boys' Cross Country team had another terrific year, once again capturing the Hochomock and Division I state championships.  Shawn Doherty had a monster season for the Hornets, rushing for over 1300 yards while scoring 24 touchdowns.

 

Pictured below from left to right are Brendan Boyle, Shayne Collins, and Shawn Doherty.

 

Several MHS students have also been named as Hockomock League All Stars in their respective sports by the Globe.  They are:  Jeffrey Boyle, Matthew Hernon (Boys' Cross Country); Cassandra Olson (Girls' Cross Country); Kelley Coughlin, Bridget Davis, Erin Keogh, Merdith Rogazzo (Field Hockey); Dakota Cullen, Matt Schafer (Football); Adam Borque, Tom Grant, Terry O'Mara (Golf); Max Miller (Boys' Soccer); Erin Bruno, Jackie McPherson (Girls' Soccer); and Chelsea Almeida (Volleyball).  Great job!

 

MHS' own Julie Collins has also been honored as the state's boys' cross country Coach of the Year.  Coach Collins' teams have amassed a record of 40-0 in the five years she has coached the fall harriers.  Wow!!  Congrats to this exemplary coach for this great recognition!

 

The Boston Globe Fall All-Scholastics section may be found online at

 http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/allscholastics/fall2009/

 The MHS Performing Arts Department will sponsor a trip to see the musical, "Wicked" on Wednesday, December 23.  The show will be at the Providence Performing Arts center (PPAC) in Providence, RI at 7:30 pm.  All 100 tickets have been sold.  The bus will leave MHS at 6:30 pm.  If you are driving yourself and want to pick up your tickets, please contact Mrs. Sheila Newton at (508) 261-7540 or via e-mail at Sheila.Newton@mansfieldschools.com

 

 

Free Full-Length SAT Practice Test
Saturday, January 23rd
8am-12pm; MHS Cafeteria
A fully-proctored practice SAT will show students test format, question types and what to expect in a test-like environment. Students will receive a comprehensive analysis of their performance on the test, detailing individual strengths and weaknesses.
 
SAT Test Strategies 101 Workshop
Monday, February 1st
6-7pm; MHS Cafeteria
During this 1-hour workshop score reports from the SAT practice test will be returned.  Both parents and students will explore the format and content of the test, including ways to take advantage of the test format to maximize efficiency on the exam. Various question types are reviewed and answered and students and parents are given a study plan for success.

 

Please visit www.kaptest.com or call 1.800.KAPTEST to enroll in these free opportunities.