By Ben Freedman, ’25

Staff Writer

Hello Hanover High School students! This is Ben Freedman from The Hawk to inform you on everything you need to know about this year’s Homecoming.

Spirit Week will be held at HHS Oct. 18-Oct. 22, capped off by the Homecoming football game on Friday night and the Dance on Saturday. The Student Council and Senior Class officers have organized a week of fun with the following theme days:

• Monday: America Monday
• Tuesday: Hawaiian Day
• Wednesday: Western Wednesday
• Thursday: Outsiders Day:
  • Dress as a Greaser or a Soc from S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders
• Friday: Class Color Day:
  • Freshmen – yellow
  • Sophomores – white
  • Juniors – black
  • Seniors – blue

During 7th period Friday afternoon, students will gather on the football field for our first pep rally since COVID. Students from different classes will compete in games during the pep rally for fun and bragging rights. That night, the Hawks will take on rival Pembroke for what’s sure to be an exciting football game. Kickoff is 7 pm, and during half time, the Homecoming Court will be crowned. It will also be Senior Night for football, cheer and band. Make sure to be there!

The Dance will be held from 6-9 pm in the HHS cafeteria and courtyard. Tickets are $40 and will be on sale Monday, Oct. 18; they will not be sold at the door. Dinner will be in the cafeteria and dancing will be outside.

Now I’m sure that the number one thing students and parents are thinking about is whether we will have to wear masks. Yes, masks will be required for every HHS student attending the dance. Most students probably feel irritated by the mask mandate, but if everyone does a good job during the dance, it will help ensure we are able to have other events for students this year.

I wanted to go over a couple of points that students and parents are probably wondering about. The first is food. The food served at the Homecoming dance is still being decided, but it is usually a buffet where students can grab what they want when they want it and sit in the cafeteria to eat. Second is dates. You’re not allowed to bring people from other towns or schools, so most students go with a group of friends. Third is the dress code. Students should wear business casual clothing, which means gentlemen should wear slacks or khakis with a dress shirt or a blouse, and for ladies, the ideal attire would be a dress or skirt.

The Student Council and Senior Class officers have been planning Homecoming festivities since the summer and encourage students to take part. You only have so many opportunities in high school to meet people and get involved. As a freshman myself, something I like to keep in mind is to get involved because I only have four years of high school, and if I miss out on opportunities I know I cannot get them back. The same goes for any other student at HHS. 

Featured Picture: Homecoming Court 2019

By Callia Gilligan, ’22

Staff Writer

You’ve seen him in the hallways and you’ve heard him on the morning announcements talking about “Mission Monday.” From the first email he sent this summer, everyone has been dying to know more about our new principal Mr. Mattos and his plans for Hanover High School. 

Matthew Mattos joins us from Taunton High School, where he served as principal for 16 years. He is enthusiastic about being a part of the HHS community, which he affectionately calls Hawk Nation. 

Born on Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, where his father was stationed, Mr. Mattos graduated from UMass Amherst and earned his master’s degree from Providence College and took Ph.D. classes from Lesley University. He initially majored in journalism, but switched to social studies when he decided he wanted to become a teacher. He was inspired by working with teenage campers during his summers of high school and college. The camp experience was full of energy and engagement, which he tried to carry into his career as an educator. “When I became a teacher, I tried to incorporate a lot of those lively, enthusiastic and energetic lessons,” he said.

While Mr. Mattos eventually became a principal so he could have a greater impact on the student population, it’s evident that this energy and enthusiasm were not left behind in his classroom. He’s committed to making the school environment a positive one and is excited to contribute to a better education for each student. “I like knowing that when people get out of their cars or off the bus, that they’re in a good mood,” he said, “because you need to be in a good mood to elicit proper learning.” 

Mr. Mattos not only values the education of a student but wants them to be an active participant in it. He smiles as he remembers his own teacher, Mr. Phenix, who kept the classroom conversational and encouraged the students to stay engaged. Mr. Phenix was “just a nice dude,” he recalled. “He was very relatable, he was very rational and he involved the students.” 

Mr. Mattos also cares deeply for his students as individuals. He said that his favorite part of the day is standing out in front of the building and greeting every student. “The students are so nice. They’re so friendly and polite. I love being a part of it and I look forward to being a part of it in the future,” he said.

In fact, one thing he misses about being a teacher is getting to know every student personally. “I strongly believe that every student should feel comfortable inside the building,” he said. “They should be embraced by the Hanover High community for the individuals that they are.” 

Our individual personalities are what make up the Hawk Nation, Mr. Mattos said. While this new term for our school population, and the big banner in the office, have been met with some curiosity, Mr. Mattos says school spirit and involvement are vital for a successful student. He jokes about how often he says that “a connected student is a better student.” When students find enrichment outside of their academics, he explains, it enhances their involvement and their love for the school, contributing to a better overall environment. This can look like anything from being involved in clubs or sports teams to attending art shows or performing in concerts. 

“If a student embraces the Hawk Nation and the Blue and Gold, and the pride that comes from being a contributing student to the building, it just elevates your mood and makes you feel like you’re involved and connected and you’re a part of something,” he said.

This sense of community is a way to derive purpose from coming to school every day which can feel tedious, repetitive, and absolutely boring at times. In an even greater sense, Mr. Mattos said, academics and involvement lead to the true purpose of high school, discovering yourself. 

“High school to me,” he said “is where the child finds themselves” and begins to become “an adult and a citizen.” It’s a chance for students to say “This is the person who I now want to be.” 

Mr. Mattos and his wife, Sheri, a third grade teacher, have two daughters who are teachers as well: Jillian and Samantha. They also have a granddaughter named Averie. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, vacationing and sitting around the backyard firepit with his family – even in the winter.

By Adrian Nickerson, ‘25

Staff Writer

Do you like science, technology, engineering and math? Do you dream of someday working in the STEM fields? Or are you like many students, unsure of what you want to do after high school?

Then you should check out the speaker series organized by HHS senior Isma Saleem! Thanks to Isma, we will have guests come in during the day to talk about STEM and other careers about once a month. Administration calls these presentations “in-school field trips.” Teachers can bring down their classes or students can request a permission slip from the main office so they can attend.

Isma came up with the idea for the speaker series last year. “Coming into high school, I stressed a lot about not knowing what I was going to do in the future,” she said. “I didn’t like the lack of security I felt from that.”  After taking Internship class at HHS and talking to others about different careers, Isma had an idea. She approached Mr. Plummer, the HHS Curriculum Director, about organizing speakers she hoped would help others figure out their future plans.

The first presentation was Oct. 1 and featured folks from the medical field, including nurses and acute trauma surgeons. 

One of the guests was Patrica Smith, the Director of Health Services for Hanover Public Schools and a registered nurse. As a nurse, she did great things like working on the cardiac surgery floor. She was also a school nurse before becoming director for the district. She talked about what it has been like since COVID-19 emerged locally in March 2020. She also explained the test and stay program, where students considered close contacts to someone with COVID-19 are tested at school each day instead of sent home for long quarantines. Some advice she had for anyone thinking of becoming a nurse was to work hard, and strive to work even harder.

Another speaker was Dr. Gustavo Bauza, an acute care surgeon who focused on trauma, emergency and critical care. He said his job requires teamwork and a desire to serve your community. No two days are ever the same, he added. If you want to pursue this career, work will become your life. You may miss holidays and family events, he cautioned, so in order to be happy in this profession, you’ll have to really enjoy doing it.  

The next presentation will be Nov. 10 and feature speakers from the computer science and Internet technology industries. If you’re interested, talk to your teacher about bringing your class or, when the date is closer, stop by the main office for a permission slip.

By Ashley Stracco, ’24

Staff Writer

In a year dominated by science and its efforts to fight a new deadly virus, Hanover High School revealed a few of its own budding scientists while having one of its best Science Fair performances in recent memory.

HHS sent three students to the Regional and State Science Fair. They were  Freshman Ashley Stracco, Junior Jamie Parry and Sophomore Daniel Nguyen. Dan went the farthest that an HHS student has gone in a very long time, winning the third place Moderna award, a huge accomplishment. 

Dan’s project was called “The Implementation of Independent Finger Movement in Forearm Prosthesis.” He worked on creating a 3D printable design that was practical as well as affordable. Electromyographic sensors detect electrical signals from muscle contractions in the forearm and send those signals to the Arduino microcontroller, which actuates the servo motors in order to move the finger mechanisms. In other words, flexing muscles in your forearm controls the prosthetic hand’s fingers. Dan thinks that competing in the fair was a valuable experience for him because he developed his skills in CAD design and 3D printing. He also was able to implement his knowledge in programming. In regionals, he won second place and in states he obtained the Modern Award for third place. 

Ashley’s project was the effect of Vitamins A, C, D, and E on E. Coli bacteria. She grew cell food in Petri dishes and put the liquid bacteria on the plates. She then added drops of liquidized vitamins onto each of the plates, making sure to keep track of the control plates. She plans to continue her project next year and experiment with things like antibiotics versus vitamins. 

Jamie’s project was called “The Effect of Goggle Tint on Light Transmission.” Jamie explained that goggle lenses vary in both tints and colors. His experiment was designed to test the difference in light transmission between different tinted lenses. He set up an apparatus that held a goggle lens tightly around a light sensor. This ensured he would receive accurate data and no light could enter the sensor. The results of the experiment showed that the best goggles were those with either a blue or blue/red tint.

All three students said they had great experiences with the Science Fair, advised by Mrs. Emerson. We look forward to seeing what they, and other HHS students, come up with next year.

By Natalie Mowbray, ’22

Staff Writer

With all the new measurements adopted this year to stop the spread of Coronavirus, students and staff at HHS have had to acclimate to a lot of changes. Now, students do things at school that were previously unheard of, such as taking mask breaks and eating lunch with plexiglass barriers between them and their friends. From one-way staircases to socially distant seating, there are many things that students cannot wait to bid goodbye as this unprecedented school year comes to an end. But, perhaps surprisingly, there are some provisions that students would like to see carried into the fall.

One of the most common complaints was about the bathrooms, which have been restricted and monitored to keep groups of students from gathering in small spaces.

“I don’t like how there are now only two bathrooms open to the entire school,” said Rachael Meehan. “I have to figure out which ones are open and it ends up taking a lot of time and wandering around to figure it out.”

Molly McGlame agreed. “I can’t wait for all of them to be open,” she said. “I can’t stand never knowing which ones are open and having to walk around the arrows to figure it out.”

The arrows, dictating which ways traffic can flow in the halls and which stairs can be taken up or down, were another thing students can’t wait to get rid of.

“I feel like it’s going to be a huge improvement once the arrows are gone,” said Libby Hutchins. “There’s nothing more frustrating than walking around to get to class just to find out that you are on the wrong stairs, especially for the upperclassmen who have been in the building already and have seen the normal flow of students. It’s definitely something that we all want to go away.”

Ava Toner won’t miss the plexiglass in classrooms and the lunchroom. “Nobody enjoys talking to someone through a screen,” she said. “It can be super hard to hear people talking and the glare makes it hard to keep a conversation going. I just want us to be able to go back face to face.”

As much as students disliked many of the new implementations this year, there are some changes they would like to make permanent. Many grew to enjoy the mask breaks twice a day, which gave them a chance to get outside. As the weather warmed up, the mask breaks became like a quick recess, a chance to play wall ball or cornhole and stretch your legs.

“Before, we would be stuck in the building all day even when the weather was beautiful,” said McGlame. 

Meehan seconded that, saying she believed the mask breaks helped students stay more focused. “In the morning, just getting some steps in and fresh air has helped me stay awake and alert.” 

Since the doors in the cafeteria have been opened, people also have liked using the courtyard more frequently.

“Eating lunch outside is a lot better than eating in the cafeteria sometimes,” said Hutchins. “The fresh air on a nice day out and being able to step outside of the crowded cafeteria can be really relieving on a stressful day.

By Paulina Leskow, ’24

Staff Writer

After about a year of COVID restrictions, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the mask mandate and other emergency rules would be lifted on May 29th. These rules included limits on the number of people in stores or restaurants, and the requirement that masks be worn indoors and out. Schools, hospitals, doctor offices and train stations must keep the mask rule, but many indoor businesses including Target and Walmart will no longer require them. Massachusetts schools dropped the mask rule outdoors and during sports just a couple of weeks ago. State and federal officials still encourage non-vaccinated people to wear masks, but there is no requirement to show proof of vaccination.

Some HHS students are relieved to take off their masks, while others expressed doubt about the decision. 

“It’s a little more normalcy,” said Connor Mansfield, a sophomore.

“I’m excited about not wearing masks, but there is some hesitancy,” said Olivia Campo, a freshman. Although the lifted rules will bring the community one step closer to normal life, she said, she worries whether COVID-19 has been contained. “I just hope we don’t go back into lockdown.” 

Junior Daniel Leskow also has mixed feelings. Although having no masks would be great, he said, he is not sure if it is the safest option as the virus continues to spread in some areas. 

“I feel like it’s a really big step, it’s a huge jump and I don’t know if the world is ready to remove masks,” he added. “But a lot of people are getting vaccinated so the risk is going down.” 

The world is fighting back the Coronavirus but some wonder if it would be best to keep the restrictions in place for a while longer. This new lifting of masks and other restrictions will change our daily lives. Will it help us return to normal faster? Or will it only give the virus another chance to surge?

Featured image: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/confused-about-latest-mask-rules-read

By Callia Gilligan, ’22

Staff Writer

The Class of 2021 is finally having a prom! After a Junior prom cancellation last spring, months of hybrid learning and a sometimes-bumpy return to in-person classes, the seniors are capping off their final year at HHS with a long-awaited prom on Saturday, May 15th. 

The event will look a bit different this year, taking place in a tent outside the school, the trees in the courtyard decorated with lights. Advisers Mrs. Mia Gallagher and Mrs. Kathy Gallagher have been working hard with the class officers to preserve the traditions, which will include dinner, dancing and even red carpet photos. Everything will take place outside, and the weather is expected to be beautiful.

That the prom is happening at all is a grand accomplishment in this year of uncertainty. Planners had to navigate frequently changing COVID rules, but pulled it together with tremendous help from the community. That community, according to Mrs. Kathy Gallagher, includes:

• Class officers Fiona, Shamus, Sean, Nick, Jack and Caroline, “who sold their vision of the night to the classmates”
• Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Curley and the Dirty Works Club, who spent “hours getting their hands dirty cleaning and planting the flower beds”
• Mr. Faria, Mr. Amonte and the engineering students, who have been “integral” in building ramps, a giant decorative wall and more
• The prom chaperones for the evening:  Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Aborn, Mrs. McHugh, Mrs. Curley, Mrs. Parry, Ms. Doyle, Mrs. Keefe, Ms. Corbett, Mrs. Mann, Officer John, administration and our class advisors
• School nurse Roz Davis and the HPS health team for conducting several rounds of COVID testing over two weeks to ensure the event could be held safely
• Parent volunteers Brenda Maver and Daryce Morris, “our resourceful and creative prom decorators”
• Grill 43 and HHS parent Joe Hiffa, for catering dinner
• Mr. Steve Ryerson of HPS for capturing the memories of the evening, including on the red carpet
• The Hanover DPW Facilities and Maintenance Departments, for mowing, weed-wacking, moving tables, and getting everything into place – including the giant wall!
• The Senior boys who literally picked up that giant wall and the other numerous decorations – “too many to name, but a big shout out to them!”
• Principal Mr. Paquette “for everything”

Due to the lingering pandemic, there are several regulations that students will have to follow in order to ensure that prom can operate safely. In addition to requiring COVID testing, the event has been limited to just HHS seniors, no dates from other grades or schools. Students must wear masks at all times except when eating or drinking and stay socially distanced during dancing; that means no slow songs this year. Finally, students have been advised not to gather in groups of more than 10 people before or after the dance.

“It’s going to be pretty nice,” said class secretary Sean Dever. “We could really only start planning two to three weeks ago, but I’m happy with how it all came together.”

For Class President Fiona Hutchison, the prom is a much-needed way to bring together a class that lost many of its milestones and was even split in two for half of the year.

“Everyone is starting to get excited and it’s making me so happy,” she said. “It means the world to me. The seniors have something to look forward to and a way to come together as a grade. It’s a great way to reconnect and celebrate our senior year.”