2020: A year in-review

By Amelia Nowicki and Colin Duffy|December 23, 2020

Happy New Year, Norsemen! Here are your top-picks of 2020:

Community

Pop Culture

GPN 2020 Wrapped

Click HERE for North’s playlist.

Sports

PAWNS AND PALS| At their meetings, the chess club takes the time to play everyone, meeting new people. For club adviser Donald Hightower, it is important that the club is a space to learn and grow. “I invite anyone who is interested. We have all levels of learners in this space, Hightower said. “It is a learning space, it is not a competitive space.”

Check this out, mate: Building substitute teacher revamps chess club

KEEPING HIS HOOPS HIGH | A special education teacher at Parcells and Norths Unified Basketball coach, Drew Kisskalt values his players and wants them to feel dignity and a sense of belonging to the school community. “Ive been a coach and a teacher for many years and all of my students and players are very special to me,” Kisskalt said. “But Unified Basketball is uniquely special in that it gives me the chance to be with students who dont always have a full menu of options.”

Running the court: Unified basketball team plays with heart

CHANGING WITH THE SEASONS | The coordinator of Culture and Community Team, Kevin Shubnell, expresses the changes he wants the team to achieve for the upcoming year. “I’d love for every year to have a big project that the Culture Team works towards. Whether it’s an event in the spring or in the doldrums of the winter,” Shubnell said.

The Culture and Community Team breaks the norm: Amplifying student voice in school policies and processes

For here or to go? A variety of Norsemen lunch options

For here or to go? A variety of Norsemen lunch options

SWEET VICTORY | The French team held up their flag and trophy after their victory over the German class. French teacher Amy Olenzek had very positive things to say about the teams victory. “They did really well and it was a fierce game,” Olenzek said.

Battle of the languages: French and German classes face off in basketball match

For here or to go? A variety of Norsemen lunch options

For here or to go? A variety of Norsemen lunch options

NO PLACE LIKE NORTH | One of the many reasons why Student Activities Director Peggy Bonbrisco enjoys hosting the luncheon is getting the chance to reconnect with North graduates. “Seeing the way they matured is always awesome,” Bonbrisco said.

Once a Norseman, always a Norseman: Three classes of graduates reunite at alumni luncheon

SCHOOLWIDE IMPACT | Not only did all of the sophomore English classes attend the fair, so did staff and upperclassmen. According to sophomore Peer-to-Peer member Blerta Berisha, the fair impacted all different types of people. “I think this [fair] will definitely impact a lot of students and teachers because it will give teachers a bigger exploration of how we can help students in their classes with stress,” Berisha said.

New coping strategies: Annual Wellness Fair returns with more resources for students and staff

MORE THAN BAGELS| Bagel loving sophomore, Ethan Clark, just joined KNOTS. Clark enjoys catching up with friends and teachers during the club meetings. Clark also got to know the organizers through the breakfast. “The teachers were telling everyone who they were and having a great time,” Clark said.

You do KNOT want to miss this breakfast

QUALI(TEA) ACTING | With unique character traits like a British accent and a vividly distinct costume, senior Naima Wright admits playing Mrs. Potts is physically challenging. “My arms [have] very little use since mimicking a teapot means committing to acting as one,” Wright said.

A performance here is never second best: Be our guest at the fall production of “Beauty and the Beast”

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