Northstar Share Event
by Raven Roberts and Michelle Mendez
The Nottingham Northstars Share event was a success yet again, despite being held virtually for the first time. On Wednesday, January 6th, current student-athletes were invited to hear personal experiences about their athletic and college experiences from former Nottingham High School student-athletes.
A star-studded lineup included state champions, Division I athletes, and a former Olympian who offered advice for topics ranging from athletic resilience to transitioning to the next level athletically. By communicating with those who have succeeded as athletes on a higher plane, our current Northstar athletes are given a unique opportunity to elevate themselves as athletes, students, and people.
Star Status reached out to those involved, including alumni, current students, and Mrs. Melissa Persichetti, who organized this incredible virtual event, for additional info. Star Status would like to thank those involved for making this possible, especially Mrs. Persichetti, who made this possible by connecting with athletes and executing another successful share.
A star-studded lineup included state champions, Division I athletes, and a former Olympian who offered advice for topics ranging from athletic resilience to transitioning to the next level athletically. By communicating with those who have succeeded as athletes on a higher plane, our current Northstar athletes are given a unique opportunity to elevate themselves as athletes, students, and people.
Star Status reached out to those involved, including alumni, current students, and Mrs. Melissa Persichetti, who organized this incredible virtual event, for additional info. Star Status would like to thank those involved for making this possible, especially Mrs. Persichetti, who made this possible by connecting with athletes and executing another successful share.
Star Status’ Virtual Interview With Mrs. Persichetti
How many Nottingham Shares came before this one?
This was the third Northstar Share. So far, we had Northstar Share in 2019, 2020, and 2021. I am excited for Northstar Share 2022 to be in person and look forward to continuing this tradition!!
Whose idea was the event?
As a prior Nottingham student-athlete and coach, I always wanted to connect alumni with current student-athletes. I believe this creates an opportunity for current students to see firsthand success is achievable through hard work and dedication. I thought of the idea in the fall of 2018 and we had our first Northstar Share in January 2019.
How does this event compare to those in the past?
Due to COVID-19, this year's Northstar Share was virtual. The panelists and I had to do a test run to make sure everyone was comfortable with the virtual platform. When planning the event, I was very mindful of details to make the virtual event successful. I know how beneficial the event is to current Northstars so I did not want to cancel because we couldn't be in person. The panelists made it easy to plan the event. They not only volunteered their time to the event but did a run through and had numerous conversations with me before the event. We also had the most ever panelists for the event, totaling ten.
How hard was it to organize the alumni event? (As far as getting in contact with alumni, aligning schedules, etc.)
The alumni are so WILLING and EXCITED to share and give back to the Nottingham community that it helps with planning the event. The first Northstar Share required the most planning because I had to create an agenda, topics, and contact alumni who would share. I now have a starting point for each year. I can adjust the original agenda and ask alumni to come back. Having parts of the planning process already in place helps a lot! In addition, I am able to grow the event because of the amazing job past alumni have done.
What do you hope that students gain from the event?
Simply put, I hope students hear something that helps them be successful. This event allows them to learn from those who walked before them. The alumni share their personal experiences with unique perspectives and useful advice. I hope Nottingham students get inspired by the event and walk away with the knowledge that motivates them to be successful both on and off the field. The panelists from the last three years, value the purpose of the event. They are the reasons this event is successful!
This was the third Northstar Share. So far, we had Northstar Share in 2019, 2020, and 2021. I am excited for Northstar Share 2022 to be in person and look forward to continuing this tradition!!
Whose idea was the event?
As a prior Nottingham student-athlete and coach, I always wanted to connect alumni with current student-athletes. I believe this creates an opportunity for current students to see firsthand success is achievable through hard work and dedication. I thought of the idea in the fall of 2018 and we had our first Northstar Share in January 2019.
How does this event compare to those in the past?
Due to COVID-19, this year's Northstar Share was virtual. The panelists and I had to do a test run to make sure everyone was comfortable with the virtual platform. When planning the event, I was very mindful of details to make the virtual event successful. I know how beneficial the event is to current Northstars so I did not want to cancel because we couldn't be in person. The panelists made it easy to plan the event. They not only volunteered their time to the event but did a run through and had numerous conversations with me before the event. We also had the most ever panelists for the event, totaling ten.
How hard was it to organize the alumni event? (As far as getting in contact with alumni, aligning schedules, etc.)
The alumni are so WILLING and EXCITED to share and give back to the Nottingham community that it helps with planning the event. The first Northstar Share required the most planning because I had to create an agenda, topics, and contact alumni who would share. I now have a starting point for each year. I can adjust the original agenda and ask alumni to come back. Having parts of the planning process already in place helps a lot! In addition, I am able to grow the event because of the amazing job past alumni have done.
What do you hope that students gain from the event?
Simply put, I hope students hear something that helps them be successful. This event allows them to learn from those who walked before them. The alumni share their personal experiences with unique perspectives and useful advice. I hope Nottingham students get inspired by the event and walk away with the knowledge that motivates them to be successful both on and off the field. The panelists from the last three years, value the purpose of the event. They are the reasons this event is successful!
Northstar Alumnus Interviews
1. What do you miss the most about Nottingham?
Hafsa Kamara: I miss the Nottingham school spirit. Few things have come close to the comradery I felt as a student-athlete at Nottingham. It was something to be proud of when competing against rivals like Hamilton West or Steinert and now as an alumnus, it makes all the difference when we link up with other Northstars. Athlete or not, our school spirit runs deep!
Robert Wiggs: One thing I miss about Nottingham would be having a class with my friends and teammates. Looking back at my time in high school building those relationships with the people I know today.
Tyrone Miller: I miss the sporting events as a spectator. I went to everyone I could. Nothing like rooting for your friends!
Boaz Madeus: The one thing I miss most about Nottingham was the school pride. You put Nottingham up against anyone and we were going to show out because we had pride in our name. And every year whoever was next up to take the mantle wanted to carry out the Northstar Legacy and tradition of winning and take it further and beyond.
Grace Dwyer- The thing that I miss the most at Nottingham is the people. My coaches, friends, teammates, teachers, and administrators are what made being a Northstar so special. I love seeing how everyone is doing through social media, but I am so happy that I get to see them at events like Northstar Share so we can catch up!
Kristin Hallam- These are tough questions to think about! The thing that I miss most about Nottingham is being around all of my friends everyday and the sense of family we had. Our school spirit was unmatched, pep rallies so entertaining and fun, as well as our ability to support one another. It was a place where everyone knew everyone and such amazing memories were created.
2. What was your favorite memory (athletics or otherwise) from your time as a Northstar?
Hafsa Kamara: My favorite memory was the whole 2010 track season, especially winning the 2010 Girls Track CVC Division Championship! Such a huge accomplishment! I truly believe it was one of many moments that solidified our hard work and dedication as a team.
Robert Wiggs: I have so many memories at Nottingham it’s hard to pick. So my top three moments would be. Breaking all the records I broke while being there, the time my teammate put cream cheese in my other teammate's helmet lol, last would be becoming a peer leader the process I went through and being able to help others.
Tyrone Miller: My favorite memory is winning student body president. My homeroom all cheered me on. Then I was shaking hands and getting love from everybody the rest of the day.
Boaz Madeus: My favorite memory was Winning the Indoor Group III relay state championships in 2017. It was my favorite because our team showed resilience and grit that day, It came down to our performance in the last event having to run the 4x4 relay with the group that we just won the SMR with 20 min prior. I was proud of us that day and felt like we embody everything a Northstar is supposed to be- resilient, competitive, and gritty.
Grace Dwyer: My favorite memory as a Northstar was winning the 2015 NJ Meet of Champions in the 3200. There was so much that went on behind-the-scenes for that win. I could not have done that one without the NHS Community.
Kristin Hallam: My favorite memory as a Northstar happened during my freshman year. The varsity softball team defeated the Robbinsville Ravens 2-0 in MCT's to advance to the championship. Before the win, the Raven's were ranked the number 2 team in the state and were on a 17 game win streak. Valerie Suto scored our first and winning run of the game in the 6th inning. This win was not only a huge upset to bring us to the finals, but kept a 12 game winning streak alive for our team. It was a total team effort--a nail-biter to the end and an incredible feeling after winning.
Hafsa Kamara: I miss the Nottingham school spirit. Few things have come close to the comradery I felt as a student-athlete at Nottingham. It was something to be proud of when competing against rivals like Hamilton West or Steinert and now as an alumnus, it makes all the difference when we link up with other Northstars. Athlete or not, our school spirit runs deep!
Robert Wiggs: One thing I miss about Nottingham would be having a class with my friends and teammates. Looking back at my time in high school building those relationships with the people I know today.
Tyrone Miller: I miss the sporting events as a spectator. I went to everyone I could. Nothing like rooting for your friends!
Boaz Madeus: The one thing I miss most about Nottingham was the school pride. You put Nottingham up against anyone and we were going to show out because we had pride in our name. And every year whoever was next up to take the mantle wanted to carry out the Northstar Legacy and tradition of winning and take it further and beyond.
Grace Dwyer- The thing that I miss the most at Nottingham is the people. My coaches, friends, teammates, teachers, and administrators are what made being a Northstar so special. I love seeing how everyone is doing through social media, but I am so happy that I get to see them at events like Northstar Share so we can catch up!
Kristin Hallam- These are tough questions to think about! The thing that I miss most about Nottingham is being around all of my friends everyday and the sense of family we had. Our school spirit was unmatched, pep rallies so entertaining and fun, as well as our ability to support one another. It was a place where everyone knew everyone and such amazing memories were created.
2. What was your favorite memory (athletics or otherwise) from your time as a Northstar?
Hafsa Kamara: My favorite memory was the whole 2010 track season, especially winning the 2010 Girls Track CVC Division Championship! Such a huge accomplishment! I truly believe it was one of many moments that solidified our hard work and dedication as a team.
Robert Wiggs: I have so many memories at Nottingham it’s hard to pick. So my top three moments would be. Breaking all the records I broke while being there, the time my teammate put cream cheese in my other teammate's helmet lol, last would be becoming a peer leader the process I went through and being able to help others.
Tyrone Miller: My favorite memory is winning student body president. My homeroom all cheered me on. Then I was shaking hands and getting love from everybody the rest of the day.
Boaz Madeus: My favorite memory was Winning the Indoor Group III relay state championships in 2017. It was my favorite because our team showed resilience and grit that day, It came down to our performance in the last event having to run the 4x4 relay with the group that we just won the SMR with 20 min prior. I was proud of us that day and felt like we embody everything a Northstar is supposed to be- resilient, competitive, and gritty.
Grace Dwyer: My favorite memory as a Northstar was winning the 2015 NJ Meet of Champions in the 3200. There was so much that went on behind-the-scenes for that win. I could not have done that one without the NHS Community.
Kristin Hallam: My favorite memory as a Northstar happened during my freshman year. The varsity softball team defeated the Robbinsville Ravens 2-0 in MCT's to advance to the championship. Before the win, the Raven's were ranked the number 2 team in the state and were on a 17 game win streak. Valerie Suto scored our first and winning run of the game in the 6th inning. This win was not only a huge upset to bring us to the finals, but kept a 12 game winning streak alive for our team. It was a total team effort--a nail-biter to the end and an incredible feeling after winning.
Current Northstar Student-Athletes
1. Star Status: What was your overall impression of the event?
Tyler D: I thought the event was great, speakers did an amazing job and got a lot of insight on things.
Justhin T: It was great. I liked it a lot and it will definitely help me make choices as an athlete and a teen.
William C: My impression of the event is that it was very educational for me, learning how the transition is from being in athletics in high school to making the jump to the next level in college from people who went to Nottingham.
Rebecca B: It was insightful and inspiring.
Kayla C: The event was really fun for being virtual and I learned a lot from it.
Cynthia B: Overall the event was great and very informational.
Christopher B: My impression on the event was that it was great to meet a few athletes like myself that have made it somewhere out of Nottingham
2. Star Status: What was the most important thing that you learned from the event?
Tyler D: Most important thing I learned was about building the right tribe around yourself and people with the same goals so you have that group and system that is there for you through everything you do. And to always value and use your resources available.
Justhin T: I feel that the most important thing I learned was about recruiting- that nothing will be as easy as it looks.
William C: The most important thing I learned from the event was that it’s not all about the athletics, education comes first and that’s one of the main keys to getting colleges interested in you.
Rebecca B: Being part of a team is one of the best advantages of being a student-athlete.
Kayla C: The most important thing that I learned from this experience was to not doubt myself and believe that I can do anything and I will.
Cynthia B: I learned that everything I’m learning now within the track will aid me in the future whether or not I do track in college.
Christopher B: The thing I learned that was most important was that God has His path for you and to trust the process and that with hard work you can be great.
Tyler D: I thought the event was great, speakers did an amazing job and got a lot of insight on things.
Justhin T: It was great. I liked it a lot and it will definitely help me make choices as an athlete and a teen.
William C: My impression of the event is that it was very educational for me, learning how the transition is from being in athletics in high school to making the jump to the next level in college from people who went to Nottingham.
Rebecca B: It was insightful and inspiring.
Kayla C: The event was really fun for being virtual and I learned a lot from it.
Cynthia B: Overall the event was great and very informational.
Christopher B: My impression on the event was that it was great to meet a few athletes like myself that have made it somewhere out of Nottingham
2. Star Status: What was the most important thing that you learned from the event?
Tyler D: Most important thing I learned was about building the right tribe around yourself and people with the same goals so you have that group and system that is there for you through everything you do. And to always value and use your resources available.
Justhin T: I feel that the most important thing I learned was about recruiting- that nothing will be as easy as it looks.
William C: The most important thing I learned from the event was that it’s not all about the athletics, education comes first and that’s one of the main keys to getting colleges interested in you.
Rebecca B: Being part of a team is one of the best advantages of being a student-athlete.
Kayla C: The most important thing that I learned from this experience was to not doubt myself and believe that I can do anything and I will.
Cynthia B: I learned that everything I’m learning now within the track will aid me in the future whether or not I do track in college.
Christopher B: The thing I learned that was most important was that God has His path for you and to trust the process and that with hard work you can be great.