News From the Eagle's Nest

Dear Morris Knolls Community,

As we begin a new year, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the entire Morris Knolls community. I hope the start of 2026 has brought you time to rest, reconnect, and reflect with family and friends. Winter break offered an opportunity to pause and recharge, and I hope everyone returned with renewed energy, focus, and purpose.

As we come back together, we do so guided by our school year theme, Unleash Your Potential. The beginning of a new year is a powerful reminder that growth is always possible and that each day presents new opportunities to learn, improve, and challenge ourselves. Whether in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or through our daily interactions, Morris Knolls continues to be a place where students and staff are encouraged to set high expectations, take meaningful risks, and strive to be their very best.

This newsletter highlights many of those accomplishments, both the standout achievements and the quieter, meaningful moments that reflect hard work, resilience, and determination. Our students consistently balance rigorous academics with excellence in extracurricular pursuits, and their commitment to pushing themselves forward each day truly reflects the spirit of the Golden Eagles.

Wishing you and your families a Happy New Year filled with health, success, and continued growth. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together as we continue to learn, grow, and Unleash Our Potential in the months ahead.

With Golden Eagle Pride,

Ryan MacNaughton
Principal

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On Monday, October 6th, twelve Morris Knolls students represented our school at the NJAC Wellness Summit, joining more than 300 students from 25 schools across the region. The event focused on promoting mental health, balance, and well-being among high school communities.

A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Foley and Mrs. Malin, who presented an engaging and impactful workshop on Digital Citizenship, helping students reflect on the importance of responsible technology use and online balance.

Thank you to our students and staff members for making a difference and continuing to inspire our youth to lead with kindness, awareness, and purpose!

Morris Knolls High School proudly recognizes 20 students who earned the AP Capstone Diploma and one student who earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate during the 2024-25 school year. The AP Capstone program, offered at over 3,500 schools worldwide, is a rigorous, project-based experience that develops critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills essential for college and career success. Through multi-year, interdisciplinary projects, students explore topics of personal interest while building skills in time management, project management, and scholarly communication. This achievement reflects the dedication of both students and teachers and positions our graduates for future academic and professional success.

We are honored to recognize our National Merit Commended Students. These students have been recognized for their exceptional performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, placing among the top 50,000 students in the nation!

Morris Knolls High School is proud to announce that we have not one, but two National Merit Semi-Finalists this year, an extraordinary distinction earned by fewer than 1% of high school seniors nationwide.

Students qualify for this honor by achieving top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, placing them among the highest-performing students in their state and across the country. From this highly competitive pool, Semi-Finalists are selected based on academic excellence and potential.

Please join us in congratulating Vivienne Berthelot and Lucas Zablocki on this remarkable achievement. Their selection reflects exceptional academic ability, perseverance, and dedication, and opens the door to potential National Merit Scholarships and further national recognition.

Vivienne and Lucas, your accomplishments inspire our entire school community!

Members of our Social Studies Department had the opportunity to take students to the New Jersey State House for a guided tour and participation in the Make-A-Law program. This hands-on experience allowed students to learn firsthand how laws are created and how state government functions.

The visit was made even more meaningful by a personal presentation from Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who welcomed our students into the Assembly Room. He shared insights into his role as a legislator, discussed the importance of civic engagement, and encouraged students to become involved in local politics. His stories and advice provided students with a memorable and inspiring perspective on public service and leadership.

This experience was a valuable extension of classroom learning and reflects our Social Studies Department’s commitment to meaningful, real-world civic education.

A team from Morris Knolls High School has progressed to the Semi-Final round of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition by placing in the top 100 teams, winning a $10,000 prize package for the school and gaining the opportunity to compete for advancement as national finalists upon completion of their video. This team consists of Alyson Cali, Anika Jubair, Charley LiCalsi, Eesha Vanamala, Nala Patel, Skylar Sayles, and Vera Bachu, all sophomores who came together with a shared goal of helping their community. The team was supported by Ms. Chiang.

After hearing about this competition, Eesha recruited members primarily from the magnet program at Morris Knolls to assign roles based on each member’s strengths. In her role, she focused on identifying the project idea using her background biology knowledge, and established the technological approach. The final idea of FootGuard addresses diabetic foot complications through a preventative insole design with a pressure matrix and various sensors. Nala focused on how FootGuard could recognize risks earlier and improve quality of life. Skylar delved into how this innovation will aid in promoting the health and lifestyle of diabetics in our community. Anika highlighted the integration of internet of things and Bluetooth in the device to integrate STEM. Charley defined success metrics for the product, examining how the project could connect healthcare professionals statewide. Alyson planned for long-term implementation, researching integration into healthcare systems and identifying future research and funding opportunities. Throughout, Vera and Eesha collaborated to synthesize, add facts, and ensure the submitted copy was clear.

Congratulations to these fine students!! Good luck in the semi-finals!!

A special thank-you to senior Samantha Antonelli, who has organized our therapy dog program as part of her Service Learning course project. The project has been a huge success, bringing smiles, stress relief, and a welcome sense of calm to our students and staff. We appreciate Samantha’s initiative and leadership in creating such a meaningful experience for our school community!

Congratulations to Charli Tone for representing Team USA at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Prague, Czech Republic! Competing against over 1,700 dancers from 21 countries, Charli delivered an incredible performance. Her adult formation routine, “Without You,” placed 7th in the world, narrowly missing the finals, while her routine “Burnin’ Up” thrilled the audience with its energy and showmanship. We are so proud of Charli for showcasing her talent on the international stage and for representing Morris Knolls with excellence and dedication!

Congratulations to our incredible music staff and students for an outstanding District Instrumental Music Day and concert! The day was filled with collaboration, energy, and amazing performances that truly highlighted the talent and dedication of our students and staff across the district.

Thank you to Dan Schwartz, Brett Izsa, and Rich Hartsuiker for organizing such a meaningful experience and for leading our students to deliver a performance that made us all proud. A special thank you as well to our Supervisors of Performing Arts, Erin Morgan and Dominique Dixon, for their leadership and continued commitment to supporting music education in our schools.

The concert was a wonderful reminder of how the arts bring our community together and showcase the very best of what makes the MHRD experience so special. Bravo to everyone involved!

We are proud to recognize and congratulate our students who earned the Summa Award, an honor created to celebrate exceptional academic achievement. The Summa Award is presented to students who have earned an overall average of 93 or higher for the entire academic year, reflecting consistent dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to excellence.

Students who achieve this distinction for all four years of high school will also be awarded the Summa Medallion at graduation—a truly distinguished honor.

Our Summa Award recipients were formally recognized at our Summa Awards Ceremony in October, where we celebrated their hard work and academic success. We commend these students for setting high standards for themselves and for exemplifying the very best of Morris Knolls scholarship.

Congratulations to all of our Summa Award recipients on this outstanding accomplishment!

Congratulations to Lucia Nash, who continues to excel both athletically and academically! The Yale commit was recently selected to the Team USA U19 Women’s Lacrosse Team, representing the country and winning the Rivalry Cup against Canada in September. In addition, she earned a spot on the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team, competing in the Atlas Cup in October against both the USA and Canada- as each country prepares to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. She once again represented the USA in the Brogden Cup in October, beating Canada.

Off the field, Lucia, along with her sister Bianca, were selected to represent Morris Knolls, at the Novartis Teen Mentoring Program- a two-day educational and competition based experience that culminated in presenting to a panel of Novartis judges. Lucia’s team earned a first-place finish, and Lucia was also recognized as a standout participant for her leadership and teamwork throughout the program.

Congratulations to Lucia for her extraordinary accomplishments and for representing Morris Knolls with pride and excellence!

Congratulations to our Speech and Debate Team for an outstanding performance at this month’s Randolph Tournament! We had 24 students compete, and an impressive 10 students earned placements, qualifying all of them for the NJSDL State Championship. Several of our winners earned their first-ever tournament placement—an exciting milestone in their Speech & Debate journey.

All Parliamentary Debate placements ranked in the top 6 teams out of more than 20, and all Congressional Debate placements ranked in the top 10 students out of over 30 contestants.

Our winners include:

• Ishitha Mantripragada – 1st Place, Varsity Parli

• Cooper Johnson – 1st Place, Varsity Parli

• Zi Yang* – 3rd Place, JV Parli

• Elena Bender* – 3rd Place, JV Parli

• Claire Kroll – 4th Place, JV Parli

• Kat Udud* – 4th Place, JV Parli

• Giti Mohaghegh-Yazdi* – 5th Place, JV Parli

• Bjorn Kriegel* – 5th Place, JV Parli

• Henry Cappello* – 8th Place, Varsity Congress

• Spencer Grigas* – 10th Place, Varsity Congress

(*Denotes first-time winner)

Congratulations to the entire team and their coaches on this remarkable achievement!

We are proud to announce the members of the MK Fall Athletic All-Academic Team, recognizing student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and in competition. To earn this distinction, student-athletes must have maintained an overall grade average of 90 or higher during the first marking period and been selected to the First or Second Team All-Conference (NJAC or NJSFC).

This honor reflects the dedication, discipline, and balance required to succeed academically while competing at a high level athletically. Congratulations to our outstanding Golden Eagles who continue to represent Morris Knolls with pride and excellence on and off the field!

Mr. Mugavero and fourteen Morris Knolls FBLA students took on the challenge of creating the next big theme night for the NJ Devils and they crushed it! Our members were part of four of the semi-finalist teams, with Samantha DeFranco on the overall champion team that even appeared on the Devils’ JumboTron during intermission!

Other winners included Ryan Orr, Azra Sahin, and Maria Andrinapoulos. The day kicked off with over 750 FBLA and DECA students hearing NJ Devils executives share how hard work, dedication, and persistence led to their success.

The experience wrapped up with an exciting Devils vs. Stars game, making it a learning adventure our students won’t forget!

Congratulations to Julia Miloslavskiy, a freshman in the APA Academy, on an outstanding athletic achievement outside of school. Julia, a National FIG Junior in rhythmic gymnastics with Freedom Academy in Morris Plains, was selected to attend the 2025 USA Junior Squad Training Camp held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid.

This prestigious opportunity allowed Julia to train alongside some of the nation’s top gymnasts and coaches, where she continued to refine her skills, gain valuable experience, and embrace the spirit of teamwork and excellence that defines the sport. We look forward to seeing Julia bring this inspiration into her upcoming season, which will begin with her first international competition in Spain.

We are proud to celebrate Julia’s dedication, talent, and commitment as she represents herself on a national and international stage!

Congratulations to our Morris Knolls Choir for participating in this year’s District Vocal Music Day! Over 200 choral students from across the district came together on Thursday, October 16th at the Morris Hills Auditorium for a full day of workshops, sectionals, and rehearsals, culminating in a concert showcasing their hard work and talent.

A special highlight of the day was a visit from the Princeton Footnotes, who worked with the students and performed a set of their own! Events like this continue to build strong connections between our schools and give students an exciting glimpse into high school choral programs.

Congratulations to Coach Mugavero and our Boys Soccer players who were recognized at the SCANJ All State Soccer banquet today. Angelo D'Asti and Anthony Delgado earned 2nd Team - All State Sectional status and Thomas Beccht earned Honorable Mention. Way to Go, Boys!

Congratulations to Mark James, who was honored to be cast as Billy Ray Jr. in the fall production of On Golden Pond at the Surflight Theatre on Long Beach Island. Based on the Academy Award–winning film, the production explores themes of aging, family dynamics, generational differences, and hope, all set in a cherished summer home on a lake in Maine. The show ran from September 25 through October 5, 2025, and the cast was praised as “solid” by The Sandpaper, the local newspaper.

Mark is no stranger to the Surflight stage, with past roles including Pugsley (The Addams Family Musical), Ben and Lisa (Disaster!), Hans (Frozen Jr.), Mr. Banks (Mary Poppins Jr.), and Patrick Star (SpongeBob Jr.). We commend Mark for his continued dedication to the performing arts and for representing Morris Knolls with talent and pride.

Congratulations to Dean Cervona, who was recognized by the New York Jets as the Young Man of the Year for the Morris Knolls football team! Dean was honored during the Jets vs. Carolina Panthers game this past weekend as part of the Super Football Conference celebration recognizing outstanding student-athletes from across New Jersey.

We are so proud of Dean for representing Morris Knolls with character, leadership, and Golden Eagle pride!

Congratulations to the Morris Knolls Marching Band and Color Guard for an incredible performance at MetLife Stadium, where they earned 3rd place out of 11 bands and captured the award for Best Overall Effect! Their hard work, precision, and passion were on full display as they represented Morris Knolls with pride and excellence.

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Congratulations to Amelia Raybould for her outstanding leadership and commitment to environmental conservation through the Denville Bluebird Committee, which she founded in partnership with the Denville Beautification Committee and local conservation leaders. During the 2025 nesting season, the committee monitored 19 nesting attempts, resulting in 56 successful fledglings from 57 eggs—an exceptional survival rate and a marked improvement over the previous year. Amelia’s work supports Eastern Bluebird populations while also benefiting Tree Swallows and Wrens, following conservation best practices and contributing data to Cornell University’s Project NestWatch. Through hands-on conservation efforts and community education at local events, Amelia has made a meaningful impact on wildlife preservation and environmental awareness in Denville.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Li, a freshman at Morris Knolls and member of the MK String Ensemble, for winning the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) New Jersey Composition Competition! Jeffrey was selected as the only NJ state winner in the Senior Category and will now represent New Jersey in the MTNA Eastern Division competition. We are proud to see Jeffrey’s talent and hard work recognized at the state level and look forward to cheering him on as he brings Morris Knolls’ name to the national stage.

Congratulations to the MK Freshman Volleyball Team on an incredible season, finishing with an 18-1 record! For a group of young athletes coming together for the first time, this achievement reflects their hard work, dedication, and exceptional teamwork. The success of the season is also a testament to the guidance and leadership of their coaches. We are proud of these Golden Eagles for demonstrating skill, determination, and true Golden Eagle Pride on and off the court!

Congratulations to Noah Loureiro for being recognized as a PreACT Rising Star Distinguished Scholar! This prestigious award highlights Noah’s exceptional academic performance, dedication, and potential for continued success. We are proud to celebrate Noah’s achievement and look forward to seeing him continue to excel and make the most of his talents.

Congratulations to Jeremy Frendo, who recently launched Ask for Tasks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping members of the Rockaway and Denville communities with essential daily tasks. From shoveling snow in the winter to mowing lawns in the summer and other household needs. Jeremy's initiative provides valuable support to those who need it most. With a website and social media presence, Ask for Tasks is growing its reach and impact, reflecting Jeremy's dedication to service, leadership, and improving his community. To learn more or get involved, visit askfortasks.com

Our Morris Knolls student members of the I AM Hope NJ showed incredible dedication by braving the cold to hand out hundreds of coats to people in need in Paterson. Please join us in celebrating the efforts of Julia Ramos, Emma and Noah Dirman, Shayna Wasserman, Brooke and Brianna Collie, Kaia Phillips, and Harrison Pizza for their generosity and community spirit!

We are proud to celebrate an outstanding season by the MK Boys Freshman Soccer Team, which finished ranked #1 in their conference with an impressive record of 14 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie (14–1–1). The team closed out the season strong, a true testament to their hard work, commitment, and growth throughout the year.

From the very beginning, this group came together seamlessly, playing with the chemistry and unity of a team that has been together for years. Their connection extends beyond the field as well, highlighted by weekly—sometimes even twice-weekly—team dinners that helped build camaraderie and trust.

The boys consistently demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship, and pride in their program, capped off by their tradition of running up to thank their parents after each game, win or lose. Congratulations to our student-athletes and their coach on an exceptional season and for representing Morris Knolls with class and excellence. GO KNOLLS!

In the Fall, seven of our talented MK Choir students, Julia Arias Duval, Zhoe Carabio, Erin Dawson, Leigha Johnson, Aidan Joyal, Elliott Yesenosky, and Anika Zoeller performed in the NJ All-State Choir and Orchestra Concert in Atlantic City. After more than 20 hours of rehearsal, they delivered an incredible performance that showcased their dedication and talent. Thank you to Mrs. Markowski for chaperoning and supporting our students as they proudly represented Morris Knolls! Their final performance took place at NJPAC on Sunday, November 17th. GO KNOLLS!!

Check out some of their rehearsal performances by clicking the links below (cameras were not allowed during the actual performance):

Videos:

Star Spangled Banner - Video **World premiere, arrangement written specifically for this year's All State Choir and Orchestra!**

My Heart Be Brave - Video

Stars - Video **Played with wine glasses and sound bowls.**

Tchaka - Video **Student favorite**

Congratulations to Erick Morales Morocho, who was named Associate of the Quarter at Homesense in Parsippany! This award recognizes exceptional performance, attendance, and teamwork. Erick was nominated by managers and selected by his peers—earning a $100 TJX gift card, a commemorative pin, and a spot on the store’s recognition plaque. Way to go, Erick!

Our MK Choir Tenors and Basses, under the leadership of Mrs. Markowski, had an incredible experience at Rowan University, joining 750 high school singers from NJ and PA . The day was filled with fun sing-alongs, focused rehearsals, and powerful performances of “The Storm is Passing Over” and “Sorida.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Thomas and Dr. Vinroy Brown, our students stayed engaged and fully immersed in the music, showcasing their talent, dedication, and love for singing.

Way to go, MK Choir

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Congratulations to Ashlee Vissers, who was cast as Elsa in Frozen, Jr. with the Aspire Performing Arts Company! She performed as Elsa in the Friday, November 21 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 PM shows. We are proud of Ashlee for bringing this beloved character to life on stage and for her dedication to the performing arts.

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Eesha Vanamala qualified for the HOSA International Leadership Conference that was in June. She got first place in the Future Health Professionals Biology Test, 7th in Behavioral Health, top 10% in Health Issues, and the gold pin for health literacy ambassador!

We are proud to share that Valeria Elao, a Morris Knolls senior, has earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy through her participation in a CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) program last summer. Valeria completed the Spanish Language & Culture program in Barcelona, Spain, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in Spanish and a strong commitment to global learning.

This recognition reflects Valeria’s dedication, academic excellence, and willingness to challenge herself through language immersion and international experience. Congratulations to Valeria on this impressive achievement, and thank you to the staff who supported her along the way.

In October, our Unified Soccer teams competed in the Unified Soccer Cup, a statewide Special Olympics event celebrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and inclusion.

A big shoutout to Coach Escobar and Coach Gabel for leading our teams to success — Division B earned Bronze and Division D took Silver! It was a fantastic day of competition and Golden Eagle pride. 🦅✨

Congratulations to Ryan Kern, a freshman on the Morris Knolls Unified Soccer Team, who made an incredible impact in the team’s opening games—scoring three goals in the first game and assisting on the winning goal, followed by two more goals in their next match. While Ryan’s achievements were impressive, this team’s success is truly a group effort, showcasing teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship. We are proud of all of our student-athletes on the Unified Soccer Team and celebrate the opportunities Knolls provides for every student to compete, grow, and shine on the field.

Congratulations to Jon Unlusoy for completing an impressive six-week summer internship at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey, with the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Aerospace and Aviation. During his internship, Jon collaborated with mechanical engineering students on complex projects and is recognized for his contributions and dedication. This experience provided Jon with valuable hands-on learning in aerospace and aviation, highlighting his curiosity, work ethic, and commitment to pursuing excellence beyond the classroom!

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Kevin Doyle for receiving the NJSELA Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award!

This honor recognizes Dr. Doyle’s incredible work in promoting scientific inquiry, supporting lab safety, and mentoring educators across the state. His passion for science and his dedication to helping both students and teachers succeed make a huge difference every day.

This recognition is so well deserved! Thank you for your leadership and all that you do for our staff and students!

Congratulations to Mr. Kane!

Please join me in congratulating Mr. Kevin Kane for being nominated for the Monmouth University–William Roberts Outstanding Teaching Award. This award recognizes outstanding secondary teachers who serve as mentors and make a lasting impact on the education and personal development of their students.

Mr. Kane was nominated by his former student, Ian Epstein, a member of Monmouth University’s Class of 2026, who credited him with making a significant difference in his educational journey.

Each year, only a few teachers are selected for this honor, which includes a celebration and dinner at Monmouth University in November.

We are proud to see Mr. Kane recognized for the dedication, guidance, and inspiration he brings to his students every day. Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Coach Baggot and Luke Toth for their outstanding performances at the Pink Witches 5K on Sunday, September 28! Coach Baggot finished with an impressive time of 19:39.21, earning 1st place in the women’s division and 2nd overall, while Luke Toth followed close behind in 19:40.84, finishing 2nd in the men’s division and 3rd overall. The Pink Witches 5K, held in Denville, is a wonderful community event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer support.