With the start of each school year, I am reminded of the triumphs of the past, the potential of the future, and the power of the present.  I choose to use each first day of school as an opportunity to start fresh and commit to a statement that will carry me through the ebbs and flows of the next 10 months.  This year I have chosen to connect with Glennon Dale's philosophy: We Can Do Hard Things!  When I think about the meaning behind this simple statement, I am moved and inspired by its power.  It candidly accepts that life is not easy and there will be a wide array of challenges that face us along the way. It also empowers us to believe in our own capabilities to overcome adversity and not be scared or broken by the struggle that sometimes accompanies our day-to-day living.  

As an educator, it is my responsibility to serve, protect, encourage and help develop young adults. With that being said, I am also charged with pushing them to believe in themselves, take calculated risks, and understand that encountering difficulty is not a stop sign. Struggle is actually an opportunity to pause, assess, and consider one's options.  So often, when things get tough, students look for a way out.  They seek redirection and an alternative route, rather than staying the course and pushing through the rough spots.  This year, the MHS counseling team and I are committed to sharing this mantra as our collective expectation of the students of MHS.  We believe that each and every student can do hard things...and we want to be there to support them through those experiences.

We also want to partner with parents and guardians to embrace this mindset on behalf of their children.  While there is no question that it is difficult to see a child encounter academic or social challenges, we also know that with love, support, and the appropriate direction every student can overcome their strife and move past it with confidence and a greater sense of self-assurance.  Let's give our incredibly talented MHS students the opportunity to stretch their limits and realize their strengths by not allowing them to escape a hard situation.  Let's encourage them to advocate for themselves, accept setbacks, and understand that not winning every competition does not mean that they have failed.  Success is a prism of wins, losses, fears, conquests, disappointments, and unexpected achievements.  Let's afford our students an opportunity to encounter all of these emotions, and many others, in an effort to teach them that anything is possible as long as you don't give up or give in.  It won't be easy and we will all struggle to sustain this mindset, but in the end we will be better for it because 

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Congratulations to the MHS students accepted into the prestigious Massenberg STEM Institute.  In the summer of 2023, they attended a two-week program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to learn more about STEM-related fields. The MHS participants were Aida Calle Siguencia, Jada Smith, Kyle Bryce, Angie Simbana-Morales, Diara Ricketts, and Jacqueline Gutierrez Santos. 

Jada Smith reported that, "My experience at UMASS Amherst was very eye-opening. It really showed me what my future could look like being in college and how good and easy it is to make many new friendships with people from different places." Named after Samuel E. Massenberg who bartered flying lessons with cleaning planes as a teenager, he eventually became the Director of Education at the Langley National Aerospace and Space Administration.

The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of STEM careers, build confidence and encourage self-advocacy.  This goal is achieved through hands-on activities, workshops, field trips and connecting with peers and mentors. 

Congratulations to 2023 graduate Sarah Thabit who completed Cadet Basic Training at West Point in July 

The New Jersey Scholars Program (NJSP) was not only an educationally riveting experience, but also a chance to form friendships with other motivated students. Each day consisted of a lecture and two discussion-style classes where each student had the opportunity to exercise their expertise on a variety of topics from literary analysis to immigration policy. In our spare time, we were able to participate in a variety of recreational activities - ultimate frisbee being one of the group's favorites. Although the homework was challenging - especially the ten page research report we all had to write in less than three weeks - we were all dedicated to learning together, building a community unlike any other I have experienced. NJSP taught all of us valuable life lessons like how to build off of other people's ideas, and learning from a variety of perspectives which we will carry with us well into our adult lives.  

by Elizabeth Gillen

GSET provided me with a captivating and formative education experience that allowed me to meet some of the most passionate and intelligent students in the State. The days were exceptionally busy with lectures, consisting of topics anywhere from Modern Physics to Game Design and assignments comprising of brainstorming solutions for Sub-SaharanAfrica and building robots for the bi-weekly robotics competitions. Each scholar collaborated on a small group project based on a topic of their choice, working together to write a fifteen-page paper and give a presentation on the last day of the program. While the days were long, the program was full of recreational activities ranging from a late-night karaoke dance party to a Friday night viewing of the Barbie Movie where every scholar was adorned in various shades of pink. GSET gave every scholar a chance to explore their passion for technology and engineering in a way that extends far beyond what is offered at the high school level, shaping resilient students who are able to appreciate the world around them, while also being innovative enough to improve it. 

Daisy Vicente Camacho was accepted into the selective dual enrollment program offered by Stevens Institute of Technology. Daisy attended "Campus Day" on June 16th, and she took an online class in "Biology and Biotechnology."

By Jonah Gardberg

There is no one word, term, or thing that can describe Boys State. As an alumnus, I can agree that the slogan, “A week that shapes the future” was fulfilled. Boys State was later described to me as helping to “understand the military and how it functions on a daily basis.” The key to Boys State is “getting involved early.” I decided to step outside my comfort zone. After being elected for City-Editor(of the newspaper), I dove into my position, choosing to pursue being a political editor. I interviewed a Congressman, and political consultants, and posed questions to our candidates for governor. 

Outside of political positions, there was a general session in the morning, career seminars afterwards(my favorite part of the day), intramural sports in the afternoon, and a night lecture, for me, followed by newspaper editing. Career seminars ranged from cybersecurity to entrepreneurship to education to banking to writing. These were my favorite parts. The professionals that came were very engaging, and I even managed to line up an internship possibility.

All in all, Boys State was a fantastic experience. You live in your “city,” or part of a dorm, with about 40 boys. You are part of a larger political party, the Federalists and the Nationalists, neither of which have any connection to real-life political parties. Your roommate will be of the opposite party. You become closer with these boys in a week than with some friends from school over many years. By the end, you’re exhausted, probably wishing for good food, and most of all, you really don’t want to leave. I am still in contact with my city and even my fellow editing staff. One thing that resonated with me is that back at home, you may be labeled as one thing, perhaps you’re an athlete, a musician, a math prodigy. At Boys State, you can be whatever you always wanted to be, and being surrounded by hundreds of the most motivated young men in the state of New Jersey doesn’t hurt you either. Go Eisenhower!

• Application process: For Arts, Management, Agricultural Sciences, choose a degree (Bachelor of Arts/Sciences) rather than a specific program. For Science, Apply to a specific major/cluster within program. Education, Engineering, Music & Nursing-apply directly to major.

• Highly competitive, transparent grade-based requirements for programs.

• Application system/portal is called Minerva.

• Strong Wellness Program that encompasses clinical services, health promotion, telehealth and self-help. Students must advocate for themselves.

• City/urban setting

• Admissions Criteria: Based on last two years in High School, There are minimum grade requirements to be considered for each program.

• 4 Faculty's (School's): Gina Cody School of Engineering & Computer Science,  Arts & Sciences, Fine Arts, John Molson School of Business

• Concordia has made a commitment to offering Experiential Learning to all students in the following ways: Course Integrated, Work Integrated, Research Based, Community Based, International, Student Life

• International Student Scholarships- very competitive, focus on resilience

• City/Urban Setting

• Ivy League college with several land-grant colleges with lower tuition (Industrial/Labor Relations, Human Ecology, Agriculture/Life Sciences)

• About 15,000 undergraduates

• Beautiful and scenic campus with a great downtown

• Hotel administration program with an on-campus hotel

• Located in scenic Hudson Valley

• 2,500 undergraduates, small class sizes

• Open curriculum - only a few required courses

• No freshman-only housing, freshmen are allowed cars on campus

• Great opportunities for undergraduate research and intensives (experiential learning/internships)

• Meets 100% demonstrated financial need

•  In 2023, UVA was ranked third best public university by U.S. News & World Report

•  Highly competitive admissions, 85% admitted from the Top 10% of their High School Graduating Class

•  Has the highest graduation rate among public universities, 94%

•  17,000 undergraduates on campus

•  Multiple ways to visit, UVA offers both in person and virtual sessions (https://admission.virginia.edu/visit)

•  UVA meets 100% of financial need for all in-state and out-of-state students, through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and need-based loans 

This is Michael's 18th year in education and 11th year as a member of the school counseling team at MHS.  Michael started his career as a history teacher in Chicago public schools and eventually made the shift to counseling after seeing a need for more comprehensive services for the students.  A native Ohioan, he is a graduate of THE Ohio State University and earned a masters degree in education from DePaul University.  Michael feels privileged to work with such outstanding students and staff at MHS, and is proud to be part of this diverse and innovative community.  He looks forward to his new role serving our students.   

Kate Weisenseel is very excited to join the MHS Guidance Department. She began her career as a mental health counselor after receiving her Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from Muhlenberg College and then going on to earn her masters degree in mental health counseling from the Teachers College, Columbia University. While working with youth as a mental health counselor for a medical practice, she discovered that her true passion lies in providing counseling services within the school setting. She received her school counseling certification from Montclair State University while working as a counselor for a pre-college program at Rutgers University- Newark. At Rutgers, Kate discovered her passion for providing high school students with academic support, programming regarding college and career readiness, and guidance concerning the college application process. She most recently worked as a middle school counselor in Bergen County but is happy to return working with the high school population. She is grateful for this opportunity and excited to meet MHS students and their families.  

Hi! I am Sasha Hicks and I am so excited to be joining the Morris School District as one of the High School’s Student Assistance Counselors. I have worked as a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) at the middle school level for the past five years and I am so excited to work with high schoolers. Prior to working as a SAC, I had the opportunity to work in various community mental health programs as a mental health clinician providing services to youths of all ages. In my free time, I can be found outside, either hiking, kayaking, or reading a mystery novel. 

Natalie Reeves has a Bachelors in Psychology from Rockhurst University and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kansas. She has been working with children and families for 13 years. She is a LCSW and a certified school social worker in the state of New Jersey.  She specializes in working with adolescents. She has experience in residential, outpatient therapy, inpatient care, special education, and program design. “My passion is helping people meet their goals and implement change.” In her free time she enjoys nature, cooking, and spending time with her family.

My name is Yesenia Cardona. I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of NJ as well as a Certified School Social Worker. I also hold a certification in Bilingual Language/Spanish. I am in the TRAIL program which is a new program at MHS that provides Therapeutic Resources, Assistance, Intervention and Learning to our students.   

In 1995, I graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC where I obtained two undergraduate degrees, one in Government/Public Administration and the other in Forensic Psychology. In 2005, I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from the Yeshiva University/Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City. I have 26+ years of experience working with children and families in crisis and family systems. Earlier this year, I was working with securing services for some of the newly arrived Spanish-speaking migrant families in New York City prior to coming to Morristown High School this summer. 

AND NOW…. I am very happy and excited to be a new member of the Morristown High School family. 

Students can make appointments with their school counselor through the digital calendar.  To access the calendar, students can log into Canvas, click on their Class page, and a link will direct them to their counselor's digital calendar.  Students should include the reason for the visit.  Counselors appointments are in 15 minute increments; however, if you need more time let your counselor know in advance.

Each school counselor and staff member has a digital office page where they share information with their students.