RPS Update
May 8, 2026
Please help RPS go green by checking your students' e-Backpack weekly for important information.
Maddie McCartan, RHS class of 2026, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play field hockey at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Maddie's major is undecided, but she plans to enter a field in STEM. Maddie is a high honor roll student with a cumulative GPA of 4.860. She was a member of the varsity basketball team for two years, the varsity outdoor track team for one year, the varsity field hockey team for three years, and the captain of the varsity field hockey team and a member of the varsity tennis team in 2025-2026. She earned the FCIAC scholar athlete award in the fall of 2025 and was chosen as the CIAC Scholar-Athlete from Ridgefield High School for the Class of 2026. She was a member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad in 2024 and 2025 and a NFHCA High School Scholar of Distinction in 2024. She earned a silver medal Congressional Award in April of 2025. She was named All FCIAC Honorable Mention for field hockey in 2025, and outside of RHS she has been a member of New York Hockey Club since 2021.
Over the past 4 years, Aidan Nelson has placed at the divisional, state, and regional levels in Track. He contributed as a relay leg on multiple All-American placing relays, while maintaining honor roll placement. He will continue his running career at American University.
Tuesday afternoon at Tiger Hollow was about more than lacrosse. The boys lacrosse families and RPS community rallied around their teammate, RHS ninth-grader Conner Curran, who battles Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The afternoon raised funds for Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy (KOMD) through a raffle, bake sale, and cozy merchandise featuring #7. Conner's pediatrician, Dr. Pete Richel, spoke to the team before the game. Dr. Pete rallied the team with a positive message from his former patient, C.J. Constabile, a CT state champion, Duke University graduate, and current professional lacrosse player. The pro had a video message for the team that ended with the phrase “Connor Strong”!
A recent team newsletter reported that parent Michelle Fitzpatrick and the KOMD Committee — Liz Carrozza, Kim Lycoyannis, Sandra Miller, and Cait Lunn — led the most successful fundraising campaign the team has had in the last 5 years, raising nearly $12,000 to support Duchenne MD research in honor of Conner.
RHS Junior Jake Levi Named Student Officer of CT EdRising
At a recent state-wide Educators Rising Connecticut meeting, RHS junior Jake Levi was inducted as a State Student Officer for the 2026-2027 academic year. Jake, an active and excellent member of the EdRising Club at RHS, will be the Vice President of Communications at the State level.
The coordinator of CT Edrising writes, "his selection is a testament to his dedication to the teaching profession and leadership within our community....As an official Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) recognized by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), our student officers are at the forefront of 6-16 Educator Pipeline that now serves over 40 sites across the state."
Senior Catie Bell Signs With Salve Regina
At the same meeting, RHS senior Catherine Bell (Catie) participated in the Edrising Signing ceremony. Catie signed her letter of intent to continue her education in teaching at Salve Regina University.
Watch a student presentation on the RHS EdRising Club at the November 24 BOE Meeting and read more about the RPS staff's role in helping students prepare for competitions in the December 19 issue of RPS Update. Photo caption: Edrising Advisors, RHS Social Studies Department Chair Danny Martins, and Librarian Kim Davis, flank Catie Bell and Jake Levi.
