Millbrook High School Student Newspaper

Girl’s Varsity Basketball

By Deanna Dubois

The girl’s varsity basketball season has finally begun, and will continue into the new year. The ambitious team has been very committed to the sport, and they are looking forward to a successful season. The girls practice six days a week and continuously run drills in order to keep them prepared for future opponents. Even though they lost their first two games, they remain positive and are keeping their heads held high.
Heather Iannucci has replaced Brian Devincenzi as coach for the 2009 season. She was assistant coach last year, and the team refers to her as “Coach I,” according to senior Trish McGrath. McGrath is a veteran basketball player and has participated in the sport throughout her high school career at Millbrook. Four other seniors are returning for their final season at Millbrook, including Kai Germano, Nicole Battistoni, Nicole Shanks, and Chrissy Robertson. The entire varsity team is striving to make this a memorable season for these five seniors.
One individual who will be playing a significant role this season is Sunit McDermott. She keeps track of the team’s statistics, which are eventually used to help the team improve as a whole. Regina Stewart and Coach Stoliker have also helped out by keeping score during games. Everyone involved with the girls’ team this year would really appreciate support from fans and the community. Come watch a Girls’ Basketball game and support their hard work!

MHS’s Male Athlete of the Week: Jonathan Campbell

By Emma Lovett

Jonathan Campbell has been named Athlete of the Week and, in my opinion, it’s a fitting choice. Jonathan is a part of the Cross-Country team in the fall and also runs on the Track team in the winter and spring. He has been running for five years and usually runs the longer distances for Cross-Country and does long-distance workouts when practicing. When it comes to up-and-coming Cross-Country meets, he is most excited about seeing friends from other schools. He says that “Cross-Country and Track meets can be wonderful social events. It all depends on what you make of them.” When competing he always tries to be friendly to all his competitors and to not take himself extremely seriously.
When asked what he enjoys about the sport, he answered “Both Track and Cross-Country are like no other mainstream sports. I love the fact that the sports help me deal with stress, pressure, as well as keep me in shape both physically and mentally. They are, for the most part, fun because as difficult as running can be, it is also so simple. I find that simplicity exhilarating.” He also talked about his team and how great they are to work with.
I know that a basketball team works together by passing the ball, as does a soccer team. What I wasn’t entirely sure about, however, was how a Track or Cross-Country team works together. Jonathan told me that being supportive of each other is the main way they work together. Also, helping with training whenever possible helps too. When I asked Jonathan how much practice is required, he answered, “A LOT! More than most people would think.” He also practices on his own, outside of school, something he feels is very important, because “sometimes the team training isn’t adequate enough to provide solely for the individual needs of each member of the team.”
I also decided to ask Jonathan about something called “runner’s high;” a supposedly peaceful and happy state-of-mind which is said to occur when strenuous exercise activates endorphin production in the brain. I wanted to know if he ever experienced it, or if it is just a myth. He replied that “Runner’s high is real. Basically, when your body has been running for so long, your body transitions into a weird state of euphoria where you start to forget pain and exhaustion. You start to feel relaxed and actually happy.” He also told me about a term called “Runner’s Heaven.” He only experienced it one time, but he lost feeling in his legs while he was running, and was then able to sprint 400 meters quickly without feeling tired or out of breath. After the sprint though, he said “I felt terrible.”
Jonathan doesn’t play any other sports, but is a fan of soccer and basketball. When it comes to other activities he participates in, he said “there’s too many to count.” With all those activities he involves himself in, I was really curious as to how he manages to balance homework and other responsibilities with running. Jonathan says he finds it difficult at times to manage all of that, but he says you need to learn to discipline yourself and it can be tough. “It all pays off in the end,” said Campbell.
I wanted to make sure I asked him about his plans for the future and how he feels about moving on from Millbrook. He definitely wants to attend college, and his top two choices are University of Notre Dame and Northeastern University. He wants to major in Music Management and Marketing or Pre-Law. “Millbrook will always be my hometown, and I will miss everyone, but I’m ready to move on. I’m sure college will be a fun new experience.”
Lastly, I wanted to know if he was still planning on continuing running on a team when he heads off to college. He doesn’t really plan on running on a competitive team, but he definitely will keep in the habit of running. I really appreciate him answering my questions and I wish only the best for this talented and interesting person.

M.H.S’s FEMALE ATLETE OF THE WEEK: MALLORY PETERSON

By: Chandani Harrindranauth

On behalf of the faculty and students of Millbrook High School, I am proud to congratulate Mallory Peterson on being this week’s featured female athlete. This sophomore sensation, who participated in both Varsity Girls’ Soccer as well as Cross Country this fall, will be participating in States this upcoming Saturday, November 14, for Cross Country. When speaking to Peterson about her feelings on her upcoming race, she responded that she felt somewhat nervous about competing. However, she says just being able to participate makes her feel eager. Peterson’s ambition for the state meet is to finish the race in the Top 10. This wouldn’t be the first time Peterson has demonstrated her strong, yet quiet self-determination to the best at what she does; throughout the Cross-Country season, Peterson took 1st Place multiple times, such as at the Marlboro Dual Meet, Saugerties Meet, and Burnt Hills Meet. In these races, Peterson was able to best approximately 200 girls. Peterson continued to place well throughout the season, making her, in my opinion, a sport star.
When hearing about Mallory Peterson’s achievements and dedication to Cross Country and sports in general, I wondered how such a successful athlete manages to keep her grades up, take part in extracurricular activities, all while participating in multiple sports. Could she really do it all? To answer this question, I interviewed some of Peterson’s teachers on how she presents herself as a student:
“Mallory is a very motivated and talented student. She is very insightful and it reflects off of her work.” -Mrs. Traudt, Grade 10 English

“She is an exceptional musician, top level.” -Mr. Fryer, Band/Jazz Band

“Mallory is a very dedicated student and musician. She is a leader in the chorus. - Miss. Clements, Chorus

In addition to being a hard-working student and a stellar athlete, Peterson participates in Madrigals and plays the trumpet in band. Although Peterson makes everything she does seem, to me, effortless, she insists that it requires a lot of hard work and late night study sessions. When asked if she had any plans yet for college, Peterson responded that she is still mainly unsure, but positive that she would like to play college soccer. As Millbrook’s Cross Country season comes to a close, Peterson has hopes in continuing to beat her personal record. Once again, congratulations to Mallory Peterson for being named this weeks’ female athlete star.

Girls’ Volleyball Wraps Up

By Rita Ouimet

Millbrook Girls Varsity Volleyball had a tremendous season this year. They had several girls win All-Tournament Player awards in the tournaments they attended. Trish McGrath, setter, won the award at a tournament hosted by Carmel High School, and Rita Ouimet, outside, won at Millbrook’s Sectional Warm-Up Tournament. In addition, Samantha Lape won the New York State Player of the Week in August. Millbrook Volleyball made it to the championships at several tournaments they attended, and made it all the way to Section 9 Semi-Finals, where they lost to long-time rivals, Rhinebeck.

AHA Welcomes New Members

By Allison Reid

The members, new and old, of Athletes Helping Athletes are excited for a new year in the program. This year, they plan to continue their service by working with and helping students at Alden Place Elementary and Millbrook Middle School to make positive choices on and off the athletic field. On their upcoming visits, AHA members will be focusing on sportsmanship, civility, and drug and alcohol prevention. Through personal experiences, games, and activities, they hope to further enlighten the young students of Millbrook.

“This is one of the strongest groups we’ve had since the introduction of the program here at Millbrook” said Shawn Stoliker, AHA Coordinator.

New Members

9^th grade:

Monica Koralus

Annie Whalen

Kendra Weller

Emily Koehler

Kyla Karten

10^th grade:

Lucas Lehmkeihl

Melissa Estramera

Mackenzie Whalen

Izzy Oullette

11^th grade:

Andrew Gartleman

Lauren Rollins

Tara Adams

12^th grade:

Caitlin O’Donnell

Returning Members

10^th grade:

Peter Lachance

Mallory Peterson

Max Wilson

11^th grade:

Mary Richwine

Katie Nellis

Allie Kohut

Sara Gagnon

Nick D’Onofrio

12^th grade:

Jonathan Campbell

Anna Gagnon

Kai Germano

Elaina Nellis

Allison Reid

Chrissy Robertson

Nicole Shanks

The Millbrook Cross-Country Team Wraps Up; Two Move on to States

By Jonathan Campbell

10/10/09

Millbrook Central Schools hosted its first Ben Boice Invitational in four years on Oct.10. The turnout for the meet included schools such as Pine Plains, Spackenkill, Florida, and New Paltz. The Girl’s Cross-Country Team placed first overall for girls’ varsity team at the meet. Mallory Peterson medaled for coming in first, and set a new course record. Other medals include Katherine Nellis for coming in 3rd place, and Elaina Nellis for coming in 7th place. For the Boys’ Cross-Country team, Jonathan Campbell medaled for coming in 3rd place. In addition to the modified and varsity races, an open 2.5K race was held for the course, and many Millbrook alumni and staff participated. Millbrook hopes that it can continue this tradition for more years to come.

10/17/09
The Millbrook Cross-Country team raced at the Burnt Hill’s Invitational on Oct.17. The performances for all the team’s participants were outstanding. The Girl’s Cross-Country Team placed 3rd overall. Individually for the girls, Mallory Peterson medaled for coming in 1st place with a time of 18:23, Katherine Nellis medaled for coming in at 5th place with a time of 20:10, Elaina Nellis medaled for coming in at 12th with a time of 20:29, Mary-Kate Bida came in 34th with a time of 21:56, Julia Galantich came in 42nd with a time of 22:36, Kyla Karten came in 43rd with a time of 22:45, Shannon Cox came in 93rd with a time of 26:45, and Emily Bida came in 95th with a time of 27:08. For the Boy’s Cross-Country team, Jonathan Campbell medaled for coming in 5th place with a time of 16:46, and Edward Kiewra came in 127th with a time of 21:27. David Baldwin ran in the Boy’s Junior Varsity Race. Every member of the Millbrook Cross-Country team set personal record times for their performances.

10/30/09
The Millbrook Cross-Country team raced at the MHALs invitational at Ogden Mills on Oct.30. The overall performance for the girl’s team was slightly weaker than expected, but regardless both Mallory Peterson and Katherine Nellis of the Girl’s Cross-Country Team medaled. Mallory Peterson placed 3rd with a time of 19:58 and made the MHALs All-Stars First Team honor. Katherine Nellis placed 20th with a time of 22:14. For the Boy’s Cross-Country Team, Jonathan Campbell medaled by placing 7th with a time of 17:22, and he received the MHALs All-Stars First Team honor.

11/6/09
The Millbrook Cross-Country team participated in its last meet at the Section 9 Invitational at Bear Mountain on Nov.6. Overall performance was superb. For the Girl’s Cross-Country Team, Mallory Peterson placed 2nd with a time of 18:42, Katherine Nellis placed 10th with a time of 20:32, Elaina Nellis placed 21st with a time of 21:51, Julia Galantich placed 27th with a time of 23:01, Mary-Kate Bida placed 29th with a time of 23:08, Kyla Karten placed 36th with a time of 23:45, Shannon Cox placed 51st with a time of 27:08, and Emily Bida was unable to participate due to illness. For the Boy’s Cross-Country Team, Jonathan Campbell placed 4th with a time of 16:40, and Edward Kiewra placed 64th with a time of 23:12. Mallory Peterson and Jonathan Campbell both qualified for the NY State Invitational, and will be running in Plattsburg for this event on November 14th. Congratulations to the entire Millbrook Cross-Country Team! The team would like to thank Coach Keller for all his work and dedication to this sport, and to all the parents and administration for their support.