Semester 2 is upon us and we embark on the remaining second half of the school year. Another challenging year dealing with COVID, but I am filled with hope and optimism that our future is better than our past. Please read on for more information and some exciting news.
Lunar New Year 2022
Happy Chinese New Year! Today, Tuesday, February 1st marks the beginning of a New Year -- the Lunar New Year. This day is also known as the Chinese New Year. Separately, we also bid farewell to the Year of the Ox and welcome the Year of the Tiger.
CCHS staff member Bo Feng made this piece using a wood-burning technique (pyrography) that is truly awe-inspiring. Needless to say, in addition to being a great teacher, Bo is an amazing artist.
Black History Month
The month of February is Black History Month. We honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history. This year's Black History theme focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness and considers activities, rituals, and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.
Bruins Retire Willie O'Ree's Number With Two METCO Students
I am extremely excited to share a video of two talented METCO students. Dallas and Toryn Jackson made their mark on the ice on January 18th, 2022 when they participated in the Willie O'Ree retirement ceremony with the Boston Bruins. Willie O'Ree "the Jackie Robinson of hockey" changed history and opened the proverbial door for other underrepresented people to play in the NHL.
Both Dallas (class of 2021) and Toryn (class of 2024) spent many weekends for several years participating in a Boston-based hockey league affiliated with Mr. O'Ree. In a recent interview, Willie O'Ree said that besides being Black and being blind in my right eye, I was faced with four other things: racism, prejudice, bigotry, and ignorance. He broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958 with the Bruins, one of six teams at the time. He played 45 games with the Bruins, despite being legally blind -- scoring four goals and recording 10 assists. Please view the video and join me in congratulating the Jackson sisters!
- Heidi Harris, Director, CCHS METCO Program
CCHS Debaters Win Awards at Malcolm Bump Memorial Tournament
On Saturday, January 22, CCHS sent 12 debaters to the online Malcolm Bump Tournament (Montrose New York - Hendrick Hudson High School), and the team won 4 awards. This was the largest group of CCHS debaters to attend any tournament this academic year, and the success showed the growth of the team.
In the Varsity Division, debate co-presidents Molly Branigan & Richard Li had a 3W-1L record to earn the trophy for 10th place. Wilbur Moffitt & Alex Li also had a storing 2-2 record in varsity.
In the Novice debate, the team of Ryan Valentine & Jonathan Peppercorn placed 8th (3W-1L0 in a field of 112 debaters, and individual speaker awards went to Ryan (10th) and Jonathan (7th). Also debating in novice were Felicity Zhang & Eleanor Yoshida, Asher Sun & Mads Reeves, and Joe Park & Jameson Velez.
